PhD student position in NCN SONATA-19 Project

Announcement on the PhD student in NCN SONATA-19 Project (UMO-2023/51/D/NZ6/00745) „Bacterial OMV and caspase-4-mediated activation of endothelial cells induces secretion of immunomodulatory extracellular vesicles – proteomic investigation.”

Position: a PhD student

Project description:

In the proposed studies we plan to apply mass spectrometry (MS) combined with bioinformatics for in-depth analysis of protein secreted on extracellular vesicles of endothelial cells upon intracellular LPS delivery and OMV. The analysis of modulation of vesicle secretion during caspase-4-mediated response will allow for identification of biological processes driving the immune responses and intracellular signaling involved in regulation of endothelial inflammation. The study may reveal novel cellular responses in early stages of atherosclerosis, and propose novel targets for antiatherosclerotic therapies. Demonstrating that OMV (circulating in the blood of patients with leaky gut and periodontosis) may activate caspase-4 and IL-18 secretion in vascular endothelium cells would be a major breakthrough in understanding vascular inflammatory mechanisms and explain why leaky gut or periodontitis patients frequently develop atherosclerosis. Endothelial extracellular vesicles may be the signaling factors driving atherogenesis. Our studies have the potential to reveal novel mechanisms that may help us understand the observed correlation between intestinal dysbiosis, endotoxemia and periodontosis on one hand and increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, and fundamentally contribute to development of novel antiatherosclerotic therapies.

Profile of candidates/requirements:

• MSc. in immunology or related biological/medical sciences obtained or scheduled to obtain no later than 30.09.2024;
• Readiness to enroll to the „BioMedChem” graduate school;
• Enthusiasm, motivation, independence and scientific curiosity;
• Very good self-organization;
• Ability to critically analyze literature and propose novel research venues;
• Good collaborating skills;
• Very good communications and writing skills (English);
• Experience with mammalian cell culture and basic biochemistry (ELISA, Western blot) will be an extra asset;
• Knowledge and experience in proteomics/bioinformatics/extracellular vesicles will be an extra asset.

Expected tasks;

The person employed on the Ph. D. Student position will be involved in execution of a 3-year project. Duties:

• Isolation and biological experiments on cell lines and primary cells (leukocyte-rich buffy coats);
• Culturing and expansion of cell lines;
• Isolation, handling and analyses of extracellular vesicles;
• Protein and RNA analyses (qPCR, SDS-PAGE, Western blot, ELISA);
• Acquiring knowledge of proteomics and bioinformatic-assisted analysis of proteomic data;
• Preparation of scientific publications and seminars.

Employment conditions:

• Full-time employment;
• Employment duration: fixed-term 6-month probation, after positive evaluation employment for further 30 months with possible extension;
• The location of the project: Centre of Molecular and Macromolecular Studies, Polish Academy of Sciences, Division of Bioorganic Chemistry – Lodz, Poland;
• Competition type: Sonata 19;
• We are offering interesting position in a young research team, international collaboration with research facilities in Norway and Finland, teaching and mentoring possibilities, and realization of your own research ideas.

Project leader: Wojciech Cypryk

Required documents:

1. Motivation letter;
2. Curriculum vitae;
3. Scan of M.Sc. Diploma – if available;
4. Brief description of interests, achievements and experience in biological research during study period (in particular description of bachelor/master thesis.

Application deadline: August 31, 2024

Applications will be considered on a continuous basis in the order in which they are received until the position is filled. Applicants may be invited for an interview.

Suitable candidate will be selected by September 15, 2024.

Tentative starting date is October 1, 2024.

The recruitment committee will analyze all Applicants evaluating their scientific merit, publication record, work experience and qualifications for the project. The recruitment committee will prepare a ranked list of candidates, of which the best Candidate will be selected. In the event of a resignation of the candidate, a candidate with a subsequent score will be selected.

Applications should be sent by e-mail to and with required documents attached in the PDF format.

Please include the following statement in your application:

 “I hereby give consent for my personal data included in my application to be processed by the Center of Molecular and Macromolecular Studies, Polish Academy of Sciences with its registered office in Łódź, NIP: 7240004662, ul. Sienkiewicza 112, 90-363 Łódź for the purposes of the recruitment process.”

The controller of your personal data is Centre of Molecular and Macromolecular Studies, Polish Academy of Sciences with its registered office in Lodz, NIP: 7240004662 (the “Institute”). The Institute will process your data for the purpose of carrying out scientific and research activities, providing services and contact with the Institute, on the basis of a contract (in connection with the performance of the contract or in order to take action on your request before the contract is concluded – Article 6, paragraph 1, letter b) of GDPR), the legitimate interest of the Institute (Article 6, paragraph 1, letter f) of the GDPR) and legal provisions (Article 6, paragraph 1, letter c) of the GDPR) – depending on the circumstances. You have the right to: request access to your data, receive a copy of it; rectify (correct) it; delete it; limit its processing; transfer it; lodge a complaint to the supervisory body; withdraw your consent for processing at any time (withdrawal of consent does not affect the lawfulness of the processing carried out prior to its withdrawal) or to lodge an objection to data processing.