Job details

Recruitment result
Place of work

Dioscuri Centre for Physics and Chemistry of Bacteria Institute of Physical Chemistry PAS Warsaw, Poland

Funding institution

National Science Centre (NCN), Poland

Project description

Project title, type and project number

Transition from genetic to phenotypic antibiotic resistance in de novo bacterial mutants Funded through OPUS-22, 2021/43/B/NZ1/01436, 19/2023

Project leader

Dr Bartłomiej Wacław

Description

The purpose of this project is to investigate the population dynamics of antibiotic-resistant mutants of the bacterium E.coli immediately after their emergence due to spontaneous mutations.

Job description

Number of vacancies

1

Key responsibilities include

We seek a talented post-doctoral researcher to contribute to the project “Transition from genetic to phenotypic antibiotic resistance in de novo bacterial mutants”.

The project will involve creating a microfluidic device suitable for live imaging of 109 bacterial cells, tracking antibiotic-resistant spontaneous mutants that evolve in the device, and measuring their growth rate over several generations. This will be complemented with DNA sequencing and in situ visualisation of mutations using a CRISPR/Cas9-based technique developed by another post-doc.

Other team members will use mathematical modelling to interpret the data and predict the effect of the genotype-to phenotype transition on the dynamics of bacterial infections.

Main responsibilities:

1. Planning and execution of specific elements of the research program, acting under general guidance of the supervisor. This will involve deciding (with the supervisor) on the detailed direction of the research, formulating a strategy for day-to-day research work, implementing the strategy (without close supervision), interpreting obtained data, drawing conclusions, and reporting progress to the supervisor.     

2. Communicating research results to team members and collaborators through talks and discussions, as well as learning about others’ research through seminars and journal clubs.  

3. Assisting with supervision of junior researchers (Master and PhD students), where appropriate.    

4. Writing reports and scientific papers.

5. Attending and presenting at workshops and conferences. 

6. Keeping up-to-date with relevant scientific developments through literature review.

Offer

Position in the project

A postdoctoral researcher. Post-doc (<7 years since PhD as of 1 Jan 2023. Extensions possible due to maternity or sick leave)

Job type

Full time

Salary

Gross salary 11000 PLN/month (net salary approx. 8700 PLN, approximately 1800 EUR).

Position starts on

1.07.2023

Maximum planned period of contract/stipend agreement

The position is initially for 1 year, after which it may be extended for another 2 years (maximum total duration 3 years) subject to satisfactory performance

We offer

The successful candidate will benefit from working in an international, interdisciplinary research group, and a newly refurbished, modern lab and office space. The candidate will work closely with other experimentalists and modellers from the Dioscuri Centre. The candidate will have an opportunity to visit other research groups in Europe and to participate in international workshops and conferences.

More details

see website
Requirements

Scientific discipline

Biology, Physics, or Chemistry

Scientific profile of a candidate

Recognised Researcher (R2)

Requirements

Essential
• PhD held or to be completed before the job start date in physics, chemistry, microbiology, or bioengineering.
• Hands-on experience in optical imaging and/or microfluidics, including image analysis (ImageJ, Python, or Matlab) OR expertise in microbiology and genetic engineering of E. coli
• Very good academic achievements as evidenced by peer-reviewed publications and talks/poster presentations at international conferences.
• Ability to draft (in English) scientific papers for academic journals.
• Ability to communicate (in English) complex information clearly, orally and in writing.
• Ability to think creatively, propose and develop new ideas.
• Capability of working without close supervision, exercising a high degree of initiative and demonstrating a pro-active approach to work.
• Ability to develop and maintain effective working relationships.
• Enthusiasm for learning basic microbiology techniques.

Desirable

• Experience in developing DIY microscopes or other optical imaging devices OR experience with CRISPR/Cas9
• Experience with automated epi-fluorescent microscopes and Micromanager (software for controlling microscopes)
• Microfluidics experience
• Experience with software for designing microfluidic chips such as AutoCAD OR experience with DNA sequencing (DNA isolation, library prep, variant calling).
• Experience in cross-disciplinary and / or collaborative research projects.
• Ability to communicate with researchers with different scientific backgrounds.
• Ability to adapt to new ideas and willingness to approach new challenges and adjust plans to suit new priorities.
• Ability to work hard and organise work so as to perform multiple tasks simultaneously.
• Ability to maintain a clean and well-organised laboratory environment and to set up and maintain a well-organised digital repository of experimental data and protocols.
• Potential for career advancement as an independent researcher.

Key assessment criteria

Experience as detailed above, publication track record, performance during the interview

Required documents

• motivation letter
• professional curriculum vitae
• list of publications
• personal data processing consent
• two letters of reference (to be sent independently by two supporters)

Recruitment procedure

All documents (including the reference letters) should be emailed to rekrutacja@ichf.edu.pl quoting “Rekrutacja nr 19/2023” in the subject line.

Additional information

About the Dioscuri Centre

The Centre’s main objective is to better understand bacterial growth and evolution in the natural environment of pathogenic bacteria: the interior of an animal cell and animal secretions. The members of the Centre use experimental in vitro models of infections, computer simulations and mathematical theory to create data driven, quantitative models of bacterial growth and evolution in these environments. Research performed in the Centre will contribute towards the understanding of bacterial infections and the evolution of antimicrobial resistance in animal and human hosts. The Centre collaborates with research institutions in Germany, the UK and the US. The Centre is co-funded by the Polish Ministry of Science and Higher Education and the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research, with additional support coming from NAWA.

Deadlines

Application deadline

9.06.2023 17:00

Deadline for the settlement of the competition

30.06.2023

Archival announcement. We would like to thank all candidates for their submitted applications.

Date of announcement: 18.05.2023

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