Job Information
- Organisation/Company: Institute of Geological Sciences, Polish Academy of Sciences
Offer Description
The general objective of the project is to recognize the patterns of variability of the stable isotope (δ13C and δ15N) baselines for protein fraction in terrestrial temperate ecosystems: in plants and mammalian herbivores. In particular, the project main focus is checking if more-than-one isotopic baselines may occur within a community (of plants, or of mammalian herbivores) in an ecosystem. Our preliminary data suggests that this may be the case. If this hypothesis will be confirmed, it would mean that several independent baselines should be included in the isotope flux models, even for a single ecosystem.
The geological actualism approach in this project is to check: which exactly modern subcommunities of forest plants and herbivores have distinctly different baselines (subcommunities that differ in phylogeny, habitat, physiology?), if any; and whether such situation of multiple variable baselines is common in micro-ecosystems (e.g., dense canopy vs. open environment, conifer vs. deciduous forest?). The ultimate goal is to use these patterns of the modern isotopic variability in plants, herbivores, and plants-to-herbivores system, to better interpret the isotope flux in fossil assemblages, with the focus on bone collagen – usually the only organic material preserved in fossils. We focus on terrestrial temperate ecosystems, because such ecosystems are common in European Quaternary record (especially forest and mammoth steppe) and are among the majority of paleoecosystems studied in Europe, North America, Siberia, Beringia, and Patagonia. We focus on modern and fossil ecosystems from Poland: modern temperate forest (the Białowieża Forest), Early-to-Late Holocene forest paleontological assemblages (Perspektywiczna Cave, Shelter in Smoleń III); and mid-Vistulian mammoth steppe assemblage (Perspektywiczna Cave). A Late Glacial tundra assemblage (Perspektywiczna Cave) will be added for comparison.
The project methods are analyses of carbon and nitrogen stable isotopes in plants (protein, cellulose, lignin) and herbivores (bone collagen) material. Modern material (Białowieża Forest) will be used to refine the methodology: establishing the variability in plants and in herbivores; understanding the plant-to-collagen isotope fractionation; and to depict the complexity of the carbon and nitrogen isotopic flux within a plant-to-herbivore trophic network, where the Białowieża Forest is an actualistic model. Fossil material (from cave sites located in Polish Jura) of the Holocene forest ecosystem will be used to compare the fossil isotopic baselines with the modern ones and to test for the universality of the baseline variability among temperate forest ecosystems. Pleistocene assemblages (Perspektywiczna Cave) will be used to check the variability of the isotopic baselines in other ecosystems (mammoth steppe and tundra). We will further use the C-N flux model obtained for the modern ecosystem to better interpret the trophic relationships in fossil assemblages.
Among novel approaches is the individual amino acid isotopic analysis for terrestrial paleoecosystems. Until now, only few studies have undertaken this topic, mostly from the archaeological perspective. Other novel approaches include: searching for seasonal isotopic changes in plants; investigation of the local Suess effect through tree rings study; systematic analysis of the isotopic variation between ungulates, rodents and lagomorphs; assumption of several isotopic baselines within one ecosystem.
Isotopic baselines are necessary for stable isotope-based paleodietary modeling. In particular, the knowledge of the baseline variability is crucial at the planning phase of studies – to assume how much baseline samples is needed and what taxonomic variability is enough to represent baselines. In Quaternary sciences, such studies are common in paleoecology, with special focus on ancient hominines, extinct mammals, and the evolution of synanthropism. All such studies will largely benefit from this project’s results. Modern mammal-focused isotopic ecology will benefit as well, as it utilizes the same modeling methods. We can see the high importance of our study for: paleontology, archaeology, anthropology, environmental science, plant physiology, herbivore physiology, biochemistry, and indirectly for paleogeography and paleoclimatology.
Where to apply
E-mail: rekrutacja_ingpan@twarda.pan.pl
Requirements
- Research Field: Geosciences » Geology
- Education Level: Master Degree or equivalent
Skills/Qualifications:
REQUIREMENTS / EXPECTATIONS:
- A Master’s degree in Earth and environmental sciences/chemistry/biology or related disciplines;
- Strong organisational skills and the ability to multitask, work independently, and work in a team;
- A strong interest in Quaternary paleoecology and biogeochemical analyses;
- Experience in laboratory work;
- The ability to think critically and analyse data independently;
- Fluency in spoken and written English;
- Additional advantages will include: experience in Quaternary ecology/paleoecology, experience in applying stable isotope analyses, and familiarity with the R programming environment.
Specific Requirements:
REQUIREMENTS / EXPECTATIONS:
- A Master’s degree in Earth and environmental sciences/chemistry/biology or related disciplines;
- Strong organisational skills and the ability to multitask, work independently, and work in a team;
- A strong interest in Quaternary paleoecology and biogeochemical analyses;
- Experience in laboratory work;
- The ability to think critically and analyse data independently;
- Fluency in spoken and written English;
- Additional advantages will include: experience in Quaternary ecology/paleoecology, experience in applying stable isotope analyses, and familiarity with the R programming environment.
RESPONSIBILITIES:
- The scholarship holder will take part in the implementation of the project entitled “Diversity of isotopic baseline levels for carbon and nitrogen in Quaternary terrestrial ecosystems”, under the supervision of Dr hab. Maciej T. Krajcarz. Within this project, the scholarship holder’s responsibilities will include:
- Laboratory work: documentation, selection, and preparation of samples; extraction of analytical fractions (proteins, cellulose, lignin); derivatisation of fractions for GC analysis;
- Analysis and interpretation of data obtained within the project;
- Participation in the preparation of scientific articles;
- Preparation of conference abstracts and periodic reports, and participation in international conferences;
- Presenting results at international conferences (oral presentations and posters);
- Participation in the GeoPlanet Doctoral School (https://www.ing.pan.pl/en/education/geoplanet-doctoral-school);
- The place of work will be the IGS PAS Research Centre in Warsaw, but foreign trips related to training and conferences will be necessary (paid by the Institute).
- Languages: ENGLISH
- Level: Excellent
- Research Field: Geosciences » Geology
- Years of Research Experience: 1 - 4
Internal Application form(s) needed
ANNEXES 1_Application for enrollment to the Doctoral School_2_CV FORM_3_COVER LETTER.pdf (246.99 KB - PDF)
Additional Information
Benefits
Project acronym: “Isobase”
Funding: National Science Centre (Poland), OPUS-29 Programme
Project title: “Variability of carbon and nitrogen isotopic baselines in Quaternary terrestrial ecosystems”
Summary: https://projekty.ncn.gov.pl/en/index.php?projekt_id=644096
Project leader: Dr hab. Maciej T. Krajcarz (e-mail: mkrajcarz@twarda.pan.pl)
Application deadline: 30.09.2026
Announcement of recruitment results: by 31.10.2026
Scholarship start date: 01.12.2026
Duration of employment in the NCN project: 48 months
Scholarship: The NCN scientific scholarship of PLN 5,000 brutto brutto per month for the first 2 years (until the mid-term evaluation); the NCN scientific scholarship of PLN 6,500 brutto brutto per month for the remaining 2 years (after the mid-term evaluation, subject to a positive result of the mid-term evaluation)
Location: Institute of Geological Sciences, Polish Academy of Sciences, Research Centre in Warsaw (Twarda 51/55, 00-818 Warsaw), Quaternary GeoEcology Research Group (https://www.ing.pan.pl/en/research-groups/quaternary-geoecology-research-group)
WE OFFER:
- Work at a leading research centre in Poland in the field of Earth and environmental sciences, and doctoral studies at the GeoPlanet Doctoral School (https://www.ing.pan.pl/en/education/geoplanet-doctoral-school);
- The opportunity to obtain a PhD degree in Earth and environmental sciences under the supervision of Dr hab. Maciej T. Krajcarz;
- A monthly salary in the form of the NCN scientific scholarship for 48 months (PLN 5,000 for the first 2 years / PLN 6,500 for the remaining 2 years);
- Participation in a research team led by Dr hab. Maciej T. Krajcarz, as part of a project funded by the NCN (grant no. 2025/57/B/ST10/02969);
- Collaboration with experienced researchers;
- Access to high-class geochemical facilities;
- Gaining experience in biogeochemistry of light isotopes and in laboratory procedures and the operation of research equipment available at the Stable Isotope Lab;
- The opportunity to take part in training courses and international conferences.
Note: The Institute of Geological Sciences, Polish Academy of Sciences, does not cover the costs of relocation to Poland/Warsaw, accommodation, or living expenses. The candidate must be financially prepared to cover these costs.
Eligibility criteria
REQUIREMENTS / EXPECTATIONS:
- A Master’s degree in Earth and environmental sciences/chemistry/biology or related disciplines;
- Strong organisational skills and the ability to multitask, work independently, and work in a team;
- A strong interest in Quaternary paleoecology and biogeochemical analyses;
- Experience in laboratory work;
- The ability to think critically and analyse data independently;
- Fluency in spoken and written English;
- Additional advantages will include: experience in Quaternary ecology/paleoecology, experience in applying stable isotope analyses, and familiarity with the R programming environment.
Selection process
RECRUITMENT PROCESS:
The conditions for awarding the scientific scholarship are set out in the Regulations for awarding NCN scientific scholarships in research projects funded by the National Science Centre: https://www.ncn.gov.pl/sites/default/files/pliki/uchwaly-rady/2024/uchwala25_2024-zal1_ang.pdf
HOW TO SUBMIT DOCUMENTS:
The list of required documents, together with the relevant forms, can be found in the general recruitment announcement for the GeoPlanet Doctoral School (https://www.ing.pan.pl/ksztalcenie/szkola-doktorska-geoplanet) https://www.ing.pan.pl/en/education/doctoral-school-procedures/translate-to-english-propozycja-tematow-badawczych It includes, among others:
- an application to the doctoral school;
- a copy of the Master’s degree diploma;
- a transcript of grades obtained during studies;
- a CV;
- a cover letter – containing a brief description of scientific interests, scientific achievements, a list of publications, information on involvement in scientific activities (membership in scientific societies, participation in scientific conferences, internships and training completed, awards and distinctions received), and a justification for the intention to pursue doctoral education;
- copies of certificates confirming knowledge of English (if a candidate has any);
- at least 1 letter of recommendation from the candidate’s previous academic supervisor.
Applications should be sent in a single PDF file to: rekrutacja_ingpan@twarda.pan.pl and to the project leader, Dr hab. Maciej T. Krajcarz: mkrajcarz@twarda.pan.pl. Please include the acronym “Isobase” in the subject line of the email. No other documents should be sent.
Additional information:
Dr hab. Maciej T. Krajcarz (project leader): mkrajcarz@twarda.pan.pl.
IMPORTANT NOTE:
The recruitment announcement can be found at the following link:
All recruitment documents required by the GeoPlanet Doctoral School, along with the required forms, can be found here:
https://www.ing.pan.pl/en/education/geoplanet-doctoral-school/translate-to-english-rekrutacja
Additional comments
Information and Consent Clauses for Recruitment Purposes in accordance with the GDPR
Pursuant to Article 13(1) and (2) of 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) (O J EU L 119, p. 1), please be informed that in connection with the recruitment process:
- the Controller of your personal data is the Institute of Geological Sciences of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Warsaw, ul. Twarda 51/55, 00-818 Warszawa, REGON (Polish Business Register Number) 000326345, NIP (Tax Identification Number) 5250008896.
- In order to contact the Data Protection Officer of the Institute of Geological Sciences of the Polish Academy of Sciences, please send an e-mail to ingpan@twarda.pan.pl, indicating in the subject “GDPR” and case type.
- CVs which have not been considered in a given recruitment process, submitted by candidates who gave their consent to the processing of their personal data by the Institute of Geological Sciences of the Polish Academy of Sciences only as part of a given recruitment process shall be deleted without unnecessary delay after the completion of the recruitment process, in compliance with the requirements of GDPR.
- CVs which have not been considered in a given recruitment process, submitted by candidates who gave their consent to the processing of their personal data for the purpose of future recruitment processes shall be retained for the period of 12 months for the purpose of further recruitment processes. After the afore-mentioned period they shall be deleted and candidates’ personal data shall be processed for no other purpose.
- You have the right to access the content of your personal data, to rectification of your personal data, erasure or restriction of processing, or to object to processing as well as the right to data portability. You may also at any time, make a declaration on withdrawal of your consent. The withdrawal of the consent shall not affect the lawfulness of the processing made on the basis of the consent before the withdrawal.
- Processing of the provided personal data in the course of the current recruitment process or further recruitment processes is based on the voluntarily given consent, in compliance with Article 6(1)(a) and (b) of the GDPR.
- Your personal data shall not be transferred to a third country or international organisation.
- Your personal data shall not be subject to automated decision-making, including profiling, in the course of the recruitment process.
You may also lodge a complaint in connection with the processing of the afore-mentioned data with the authority competent for personal data protection.
Website for additional job details: https://www.ing.pan.pl/en/education/geoplanet-doctoral-school
Work Location(s)
- Number of offers available: 1
- Company/Institute: Institute of Geological Sciences, Polish Academy of Sciences
- Country: Poland
- State/Province: Masovian Voivodeship
- City: Warsaw
- Postal Code: 00-818
- Street: Twarda 51/55
Contact
- State/Province: mazowieckie
- City: Warsaw
- Website: http://www.ing.pan.pl/
- Street: Twarda 51/55
- Postal Code: 00818
- E-Mail: ingpan@twarda.pan.pl, mkrajcarz@twarda.pan.pl, e.gogacz@twarda.pan.pl
- Phone: 226978700
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