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The Institute of Physical Chemistry PAS invites outstanding researchers to apply for one of three Research Group Leader positions within the newly established Department of Chemical Biology (DCB), created as part of the EU-funded project (Horizon Europe, ERA Chairs).

DCB is led by Prof. Marcin Drąg, an internationally recognised expert in chemical biology and in the combinatorial chemistry of proteolytic enzymes. The department’s mission is to develop and apply cutting-edge chemical tools — such as modified peptides containing unnatural amino acids (UAA) — to drive both fundamental and translational research in biology and medicine. Among Prof. Drąg’s most prominent achievements is the development of a UAA-based inhibitor that shares key structural features with the active compound in Nirmatrelvir/Paxlovid, a widely used antiviral drug for the treatment of SARS-CoV-2 (Nature Chem Biol, 2021).

Three newly formed research groups within DCB are now open to researchers interested in taking on a Research Group Leader role:

• Bioimaging Group
• Medicinal and Bioorganic Chemistry Group
• Proteomics Group

Research Group Leaders will have a unique opportunity to shape the scientific direction of the DCB and establish a dynamic, independent research programme.

DCB will collaborate closely with other IChF groups. Collaboration with academic and industrial partners is also envisaged.

Responsibilities:

1. Conduct independent, high-quality research aligned with the given research group's scientific focus.
2. Supervise and mentor PhD students, postdoctoral researchers, and junior staff.
3. Prepare and publish research findings in high-impact, peer-reviewed journals.
4. Develop competitive research proposals and apply for national and international grants.
5. Foster a collaborative, inclusive, and productive research environment.
6. Manage the day-to-day operations of the research group, including budgeting and project timelines.
7. Build and maintain national and international research collaborations.
8. Represent the research group, Department of Chemical Biology and IChF at conferences, workshops, and scientific meetings.

1. A full-time research position with no teaching obligations.
2. An inspiring and supportive research environment at one of Poland’s leading scientific institutes.
3. Access to state-of-the-art infrastructure and a strong institutional commitment to international collaboration and research excellence.
4. Technical, administrative, and organisational support from professional English-speaking staff.
5. A laboratory starting package, including dedicated lab and office space.
6. Two PhD students to support the establishment and development of the research group.
7. Opportunities for professional growth through courses, scientific training, academic mentoring, and peer support.
8. A central role in shaping the scientific profile of the Department of Chemical Biology (DCB), including mentoring early-career scientists and fostering interdisciplinary collaborations.
9. Additional benefits including a reduced rate for individual private medical healthcare, membership in the MultiSport programme (discounted gym and sports facility access) and access to Social Funds (favourable loans for housing purposes, holiday subsidies and childcare support).

Career development prospects at IChF:

1. The successful candidate will be part of the Department of Chemical Biology in IChF.
2. Opportunity to advance scientific knowledge and gain experience in research at the border of biological science and physical chemistry in a prestigious application-oriented project.
3. Opportunity to work in a dynamic, multidisciplinary team of experienced chemists, engineers and biologists.
4. Participation in international conferences and Erasmus+ programme.

1. Possessing at least PhD in chemistry, physics, biotechnology or related fields.
2. Documented scientific achievements, including publications in high-impact peer-reviewed journals and presentations at scientific conferences related to chemical biology.
3. Very good command of English, both written and spoken, and excellent communication skills.
4. Extensive experience in solid-phase peptide synthesis (SPPS) and understanding of peptides chemistry and biology is highly preferred.
5. Strong theoretical and practical knowledge of chemical biology techniques.
6. Significant experience in organic synthesis, including the development and optimization of synthetic methodologies.
7. Experience in working with enzymes and knowledge of enzyme kinetics is highly preferred.
8. Proven ability to independently design, conduct, and supervise complex research projects.
9. Experience in securing research funding and managing project budgets.
10. Experience in supervising PhD students and mentoring junior researchers.
11. Ability to work in an interdisciplinary environment and collaborate with international partners.
12. High personal standards, strong work ethic, and commitment to achieving scientific goals.

The Selection Committee will assess the candidates against the following criteria:

1. Competencies of candidates to perform specific tasks in a research project (max 20 points).
2. Previous scientific achievements of candidates, including publications in renowned publishers/scientific journals, grants, awards (max 20 points).
3. Strong leadership and team management skills (max 10 points).
4. Soft skills – command of English language, communication skills, teamwork, compatibility of plans for individual development with the goals of the group (max 10 points).
5. Creativity measured by the quality and number of scientific publications in which the candidate is the first author, corresponding author or significant author and patent applications/patents and/or implementation (max 20 points).
6. Mobility in the candidate's career (research internships, change in scientific profile, internships and work in industry) (max 10 points).
7. The number of citations of the candidate's work, especially those papers in which the candidate is the first author, corresponding author or significant author (max 5 points).
8. Creativity measured by the quality and number of research projects the candidate has led and publications resulting from the implementation of those projects (max 5 points).