8 Sep 2026
Job Information
Organisation/Company: Institute of Fundamental Technological Research Polish Academy of Sciences Department: Department of Biosystems and Soft Matter Research Field: Biological sciences » Biological engineering; Engineering » Biomedical engineering Researcher Profile: Recognised Researcher (R2) Positions: Postdoc Positions Application Deadline: 8 Oct 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Warsaw) Country: Poland Type of Contract: Temporary Job Status: Full-time Hours Per Week: 40 Offer Starting Date: 1 Oct 2026…
Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?: Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?: No
Offer Description
Project title: Understanding multi-scale innate immune defences against bacterial pathogens at the single-cell level
Funded by the National Science Centre Poland
We are seeking an enthusiastic and highly motivated postdoctoral researcher to join the laboratory of Prof. Pawel Paszek at IPPT PAN for a position focused on high-content quantitative microscopy of host-pathogen interactions.
The project aims to quantitatively understand mechanisms involved in the multi-scale coordination of innate immune responses against bacterial pathogens at the single-cell level. Using Listeria monocytogenes (Lm) as a model, we investigate how variability in host signalling and bacterial behaviour determines infection outcomes, with particular emphasis on physiologically relevant low multiplicities of infection and the febrile temperature range.
A major objective is to understand how infection is encoded in host signalling dynamics, including NF-kB activation, cytokine responses and antimicrobial effector expression, and how these responses relate to bacterial uptake, intracellular growth and distinct infection outcomes. Fluorescent Lm strains, including reporter strains, will be used to monitor bacterial behaviour and virulence.
The successful candidate will perform high-content and live-cell fluorescence microscopy experiments in macrophages and carry out their quantitative analysis. The work will involve image processing, segmentation and tracking using Maestro and ShuttleTracker, complemented by Python-based analysis for data processing, statistical analysis and visualisation.
The candidate will play a leading role in the experimental and quantitative imaging components of the project, contribute to interpretation of results, preparation of figures and manuscripts, and presentation of research findings at scientific conferences.
Where to apply
E-mail: konkursy@ippt.pan.pl
Requirements
Research Field: Biological sciences » Biological engineering
Education Level: PhD or equivalent
Research Field: Engineering » Biomedical engineering
Education Level: PhD or equivalent
Skills/Qualifications
We seek a candidate with directly relevant experimental and quantitative imaging experience who can rapidly take an independent role in the project.
Required qualifications:
- PhD within 7 years before employment in the project in cell biology, microbiology, infection biology, bioengineering, quantitative biology, biophysics or a related discipline, meeting the eligibility requirements applicable to an NCN-funded postdoctoral position;
- Demonstrated research experience in bacterial infection biology or host-pathogen interactions, including work with mammalian cells and bacterial pathogens;
- Demonstrated hands-on experience in high-content fluorescence microscopy, including experimental image acquisition and quantitative analysis of high-content imaging datasets;
- Experience performing and analysing microscopy-based infection experiments, including quantitative assessment of bacterial uptake, intracellular growth or infection outcomes;
- Practical experience with automated image analysis, including cell segmentation, object detection, tracking and quantitative feature extraction;
- Experience with high-content image-analysis and cell-tracking software, including Maestro and ShuttleTracker or equivalent platforms;
- Experience with Python for processing, quantitative analysis, statistical analysis and visualisation of imaging-derived datasets;
- Ability to independently design, perform, troubleshoot and analyse quantitative imaging experiments;
- Good command of spoken and written English and ability to work effectively within an interdisciplinary research team;
- A research and publication record appropriate to the candidate’s career stage.
The following qualifications will be considered advantageous:
- Experience specifically with Listeria monocytogenes infection models;
- Experience with macrophages or other innate immune cells;
- Experience with fluorescent bacterial strains and reporter systems, including analysis of bacterial activity or virulence;
- Experience measuring host signalling responses during infection, particularly NF-kB, cytokine signalling or antimicrobial effector responses;
- Direct experience with Maestro and/or ShuttleTracker;
- Familiarity with additional quantitative image-analysis tools such as ImageJ/Fiji, CellProfiler, napari, scikit-image or OpenCV
Specific Requirements
The successful candidate will be expected to:
- Design and perform high-content and live-cell imaging experiments using macrophages infected with fluorescently labelled Listeria monocytogenes, including reporter strains;
- Quantify host-pathogen interactions at the single-cell level, including bacterial uptake, intracellular growth and distinct infection outcomes;
- Measure host-cell responses during infection, including NF-kB signalling, cytokine responses and antimicrobial effector expression, and relate these responses to bacterial behaviour and infection outcome;
- Perform image processing, segmentation and tracking using Maestro and ShuttleTracker, including host-cell segmentation, bacterial detection and quantitative feature extraction;
- Optimise and validate imaging and image-analysis workflows to ensure robust and reproducible measurements;
- Analyse time-resolved microscopy datasets to reconstruct host-cell responses and infection trajectories;
- Use Python for downstream data processing, statistical analysis, visualisation and integration of imaging-derived measurements across experimental conditions;
- Contribute to interpretation of results, preparation of figures and manuscripts, and presentation of research findings at scientific conferences;
- Contribute to the development of new experimental and quantitative imaging approaches within the project.
Languages: ENGLISH
Level: Excellent
Research Field: Biological sciences » Biological engineering; Engineering » Biomedical engineering
Years of Research Experience: 4 - 10
Additional Information
Benefits
- Remuneration of approximately 9300 PLN gross/month according to the OPUS-23 project budget.
- A full-time fixed-term position for up to 12 months, available until 31 August 2027.
- Opportunity to conduct interdisciplinary research at the interface of infection biology, high-content microscopy and quantitative image analysis.
- Access to advanced microscopy and research infrastructure in the Laboratory of Modelling in Biology and Medicine (https://pmbm.ippt.pan.pl/web/Main_Page).
- IPPT PAN is a leading interdisciplinary research institute in Warsaw, Poland.
Eligibility criteria
PhD degree in a relevant discipline, excellent track record for their career stage, and fulfilment of the eligibility requirements applicable to postdoctoral researchers employed in research projects funded by the National Science Centre (NCN), Poland
Selection process
Please provide the following documentation with your application:
- Copy of PhD diploma. MSc and Bachelor diplomas may also be included.
- CV containing information about:
- Publications;
- Conference presentations;
- Prizes and stipends;
- Other information relevant to the evaluation, including experience, achievements and scientific standing;
- Contact details for two references;
- Please include in your CV the following clause: "I agree to the processing of personal data contained in my job offer for the needs necessary to carry out the recruitment process conducted by IPPT PAN with headquarters in Warsaw, ul. A. Pawińskiego 5B, according to art. 13 para. 1 and 2 of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of individuals with regard to the processing of personal data and the free movement of such data and the repeal of Directive 95/46 / EC (RODO)."
- Motivation letter (1 page).
The documents should be sent to konkursy@ippt.pan.pl, with a copy to Project PI, Pawel Paszek (pawel.paszek@ippt.pan.pl) and Department Secretary Ms. Agnieszka Ponarska (aponar@ippt.pan.pl). Suitable candidates will be contacted and invited for an interview.
Website for additional job details: http://www.ippt.pan.pl
Work Location(s)
Number of offers available: 1
Company/Institute: Institute of Fundamental Technological Research Polish Academy of Sciences
Country: Poland
State/Province: Mazovia
City: Warsaw
Postal Code: 02-106
Street: A.Pawińskiego 5B
Contact
State/Province: Mazovia
City: Warsaw
Website: http://www.ippt.pan.pl
Street: A.Pawińskiego 5B
Postal Code: 02-106
E-Mail: amilcz@ippt.pan.pl
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