11 Sep 2026
Job Information
- Organisation/Company: Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry Polish Academy of Sciences
Offer Description
KEYWORDS: miRNA, cancer, somatic mutations, the non-coding genome, interpretation of variants in miRNA genes, pathogenicity modeling
Principal Investigator: Global analysis of the functional consequences of sequence variants in miRNA genes.
Research topic: dr Paulina Gałka-Marciniak
Research shall be carried out within the project OPUS 30 no. 2025/59/B/NZ2/03193 entitled “How deleterious are miRNA gene variants? A global analysis of their functional consequences”, funded by National Science Centre.
I. Project description
Genetic variation within microRNA (miRNA) genes represents an underexplored yet potentially powerful source of regulatory dysfunction contributing to human disease, including cancer. Until recently, very little (close to nothing) was known about the occurrence and role of mutations in miRNA genes. This important and largely unexplored topic has been addressed primarily in pioneering studies by our team. Although an increasing number of mutations are being discovered in miRNA genes, they are largely ignored due to a lack of knowledge and suitable tools for their analysis and interpretation. Existing variant‑effect prediction tools are not designed for miRNA genes and therefore fail to capture miRNA‑specific mechanisms, including the structural and sequence requirements for efficient precursor processing by cellular RNases as well as the determinants of precise miRNA:target interactions. Consequently, the field still lacks a systematic framework for interpreting the biological consequences of sequence variants within miRNA genes, similar to “the genetic code” for variants in protein‑coding sequences.
The project will undertake comprehensive analyses aimed at investigating the functionality of sequence variants within miRNA genes, with a particular focus on their pathogenic potential. We will perform high-throughput genome editing to generate variants in miRNA genes using the CRISPR system. Their consequences will be assessed using a state-of-the-art single-cell sequencing platform, which enables simultaneous profiling of hundreds of genomic loci together with associated transcriptomic changes, providing a high-resolution and precise map of variant effects across thousands of cells. The experimentally determined effects will then be integrated with multiple available metrics capturing the impact of sequence changes on miRNA-specific features, including precursor structure, evolutionary conservation, alterations in regulatory motifs, functional genomics datasets, and results from pri-miRNA variant screens. Together, these data will allow us to identify characteristic patterns and systematic trends associated with variants having the greatest functional impact, providing the basis for the development of a scoring system for the classification and prioritization of variants in miRNA genes. The resulting platform will enable researchers and clinicians to systematically interpret miRNA variants identified in genomic studies and, ultimately, support their application in diagnostics, risk stratification, and precision oncology.
The postdoctoral researcher will be primarily responsible for the computational tasks outlined in the project, including processing and analysis of sequencing data generated in the experimental studies, as well as the development, optimization, and evaluation of statistical models, including machine-learning approaches, for predicting the pathogenicity of variants in miRNA genes. Additional responsibilities will include integration of experimental and computational results, preparation and documentation of analytical pipelines, and contributions to the development of the final computational tool. The postdoctoral researcher will also be involved in the planning and optimization of laboratory experiments to ensure that the generated data are suitable for downstream computational analysis. Close collaboration with the PhD student will provide ongoing scientific support throughout the experimental work.
The Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences (ICHB PAS) is one of the leading scientific institutions in Poland in the fields of chemistry, molecular biology, and biomedicine, as demonstrated by the number and quality of its scientific publications and successfully obtained research grants. The work will be carried out in a young and dynamic research team, offering excellent opportunities for high-quality publications. The project will provide strong opportunities for professional development, further experience in genetics and bioinformatics, and access to state-of-the-art technologies. The experience gained at ICHB PAS and within the research team will provide an excellent foundation for future applications for various research grants, as well as for pursuing further independent research positions and academic degrees.
Where to apply
Requirements
- Research Field: Biological sciences » Biology
- Education Level: PhD or equivalent
Additional Information
Benefits
The expected salary depending on experience is approximately up to PLN 14,450 gross per month.
II. Requirements for the candidates:
The candidate should have:
- A PhD degree (or equivalent) in molecular biology, bioinformatics, biotechnology, biochemistry, medicine, or a related field.*
- A documented scientific track record, demonstrated by publications in recognized scientific journals indexed in the Web of Science database, including first-author publications.
- Experience in cancer molecular genetics and/or bioinformatics and/or biostatistics, or alternatively in other areas of human genetics and molecular biology.
- Experience in the analysis and integration of large biological datasets, application of machine-learning methods, and programming skills, particularly in Python/R, as well as experience working with NGS data, will be considered an advantage.
- Strong motivation and commitment to the successful completion of the project.
- Familiarity with bioinformatics tools operating in a command-line environment.
- Very good command of English, enabling effective communication, reading and preparation of scientific manuscripts.
- Strong motivation for further professional development, with the ability to work independently and solve problems autonomously.
*According to NCN requirements, only individuals who obtained a doctoral degree no earlier than 12 years before the year of employment in the project may be admitted. This period may be extended by the time spent on long-term (over 90 days) documented sickness benefits or rehabilitation benefits due to incapacity for work. Additionally, the period may be extended by the number of months spent on leave for the care and upbringing of children, as specified under the Labor Code. For women, this period may also be increased by 18 months for each born or adopted child if this method of accounting for breaks in the scientific career is more advantageous.
Furthermore, according to NCN requirements, individuals who obtained a doctoral degree at an institution other than the Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry of the Polish Academy of Sciences, or those who earned the degree at ICHB PAN but completed a continuous and evidenced fellowship of at least 9 months during their studies at the doctoral school, during doctoral studies, or following the award of a PhD in another institution than the host institution for the project and in another country than the one in which they have been conferred their PhD.
III. Duties in the project:
- Active involvement in the implementation of the project, including planning and conducting analyses and interpreting results using bioinformatics methods.
- Preparing summaries and reports.
- Continuously expanding knowledge in areas relevant to the project.
- Preparing scientific publications.
- Supervising the work of students and PhD students.
- Presenting results at seminars, scientific meetings, and conferences.
IV. Required documents:
- Application to the Director of IBCH PAN, containing contact details of previous scientific supervisors or other scientific employees who can give an opinion on the candidate.
- A copy of the diploma confirming the achievement of the doctoral degree.
- Scientific CV containing, among others, information on scientific, didactic and organizational achievements, including a list of scientific publications, information on management or participation in research projects.
V. Applications should be submitted via the eRecruiter portal at https://system.erecruiter.pl/FormTemplates/RecruitmentForm.aspx?WebID=049914e02e204b0e8a7ef39ad328ea28
VI. Submission deadline is 11.10.2026
Eligibility criteria
VII. Following preliminary verification, on the basis of the application documents, selected candidates will be invited to an interview, as a result of which a candidate recommended for employment shall be appointed. Based on its results, a ranking list of the persons recommended for employment will be drawn up. In the case of resignation of a higher-ranked candidate, the next person on the list will be offered employment. The main criteria considered in the selection process will include: (i) scientific achievements (publications), (ii) relevance of previous experience to the research tasks planned within the project, and (iii) experience gained during research internships.
VIII. The recruitment procedure shall be concluded no later than 20.11.2026
Selection process
IX. Additional Information:
The position is available from November, 2026 and is offered for a period of 48 months. The expected salary depending on experience is approximately up to PLN 14,450 gross per month (PLN 17,500 in total employment costs). Employment will be in accordance with the provisions of the Labor Code.
Social benefits (subsidies for holiday leave and Multisport cards or tickets to cultural events), and the option to join group life insurance and medical care plans.
For additional information please contact the Principal Investigator:
dr Paulina Gałka-Marciniak
e-mail: pgalka@ibch.poznan.pl
Additional comments
Information clause:
Pursuant to the stipulations of the regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC (General Data Protection Regulation), further referred to as GDPR, we hereby inform that:
- The Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, seated in Noskowskiego St. 12/14, 61-704 Poznan; REGON 000849327, NIP 777-00-02-062 is the administrator of the collected personal data (further referred to as the Institute).
- The Administrator appointed a Data Protection Officer, who can be contacted in writing, via traditional mail, by sending a letter to the following address: Z. Noskowskiego St. 12/14, 61-704 Poznan, or by sending an e-mail to: dpo@ibch.poznan.pl.
- The personal data of the candidates is processed for the purposes of fulfilling the tasks of the administrator, associated with conducting the recruitment procedure for a vacant position.
- The legal basis for processing personal data is the Act of 26 June 1974 – The Labor Code, Act of 30 April 2010 on the Polish Academy of Sciences or the consent of the person whose data shall be subjected to processing.
- Your personal data shall be subjected to processing for period of 3 months upon the date of decision of the recruitment committee. Following this period, the data will be irretrievably and effectively destroyed.
- The personal data of the candidates shall not be transferred to any third country.
- The person whose data shall be subjected to processing has the right to:
- request access to his/her personal data, and to amend it or delete it, pursuant to articles 15-17 of GDPR;
- limit data processing, in the events stipulated in article 18 of GDPR;
- data transferring, pursuant to article 20 of GDPR;
- withdraw consent at any moment, without influencing compliance with the law of the processing that was executed prior to consent withdrawal;
- file a complaint to the Inspector General for Personal Data Protection.
Providing personal data in the scope stipulated in article 22 (1) of the Act of 26 June 1974 – The Labor Code is mandatory, whereas providing data in a broader scope is voluntary and requires consent for its processing.
Protection for whistleblowers
In the case of reporting violations using a dedicated system for whistleblowers, the reporting person's data will be processed in accordance with applicable provisions on the protection of personal data, including the above-mentioned Regulation (EU 2016/679 of 27 April 2016). We ensure confidentiality and protection of the identity of reporting persons, and that their data will not be disclosed without their consent, unless the law provides otherwise.
Detailed rules regarding the protection of personal data and procedures for reporting violations of the law can be found in our Regulations on internal reporting at the Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, available at the link: https://portal.ichb.pl/wp-content/uploads/2024/10/INTERNALREPORTINGREGULATIONS.pdf
Work Location(s)
- Number of offers available: 1
- Company/Institute: Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, PAS
- Country: Poland
- State/Province: wielkopolska
- City: Poznań
- Postal Code: 61-704
- Street: Zygmunta Noskowskiego 12
Contact
- State/Province: wielkopolska
- City: Poznan
- Website: http://www.ibch.poznan.pl
- Street: Noskowskiego 12/14
- Postal Code: 61-704
- E-Mail: pgalka@ibch.poznan.pl
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