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Join a project developing innovative tools for targeted therapies! The project will employ highly sensitive fluorescent probes to identify, localize, and quantitatively assess the activity of selected proteases in cancer cells, neutrophils, PBMCs, and tissue samples. The combination of advanced peptide synthesis and purification methods, biochemistry, and confocal microscopy will enable real-time monitoring and quantitative analysis of changes in fluorescence signals. The results obtained may directly contribute to the development of more effective and safer targeted therapeutic strategies. A candidate with strong theoretical and practical expertise in peptide chemistry is sought to address ambitious research challenges at the interface of chemical biology, biochemistry, and molecular biology. Access to state-of-the-art research equipment, modern and well-equipped laboratories, and an interdisciplinary research environment will be provided, offering the opportunity to contribute to a project with significant potential for advancing modern medicine.

Responsibilities

1. Experiments and sample preparation
Preparing experimental systems, including peptide-based fluorescent probes, biological samples, and relevant cellular and tissue models.

2. Peptide synthesis and biochemical characterization
Conducting peptide synthesis, purification, and analytical characterization, as well as performing biochemical experiments to investigate the activity and specificity of selected proteases.

3. Advanced fluorescence measurements and quantitative imaging
Performing and optimizing fluorescence-based measurements, including confocal microscopy, and quantitative fluorescence imaging, to monitor and quantify protease activity in real time.

4. Data analysis and interpretation
Processing, analyzing, and interpreting experimental data, including quantitative analysis of fluorescence signals and their changes in biological systems.

5. Documentation and reporting
Preparing experimental documentation, research reports, and summaries of results, as well as contributing to scientific publications and project-related deliverables.

Role in the Project

Position 1 - Conducting experiments: synthesis and analysis of peptides, biochemical experiments, data analysis.

The successful candidate will be responsible for conducting experiments, including the synthesis, purification, and characterization of peptides and peptide-based fluorescent probes, performing biochemical and cell-based experiments, carrying out advanced fluorescence and quantitative imaging measurements, and analyzing and interpreting the resulting data.

1. Position with 100% focus on research (no teaching obligations).
2. Benefits including a reduced rate for an individual private medical healthcare package and membership in the MultiSport programme.
3. Full technical, administrative and organisational support from professional English-speaking personnel.
4. Participation in courses, scientific training, support from peers, and academic mentoring.

Career development prospects at IChF:

1. The successful candidate will be part of a Combinatorial Chemistry and Biochemistry Group in IChF.
2. Opportunity to advance scientific knowledge and gain experience in the 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.

Requirements for the candidate – the candidate:

1. holds PhD in chemical or biochemical sciences or related fields;
2. has solid knowledge and experience at work in peptide synthesis and purification, biochemistry assays, bioimaging and in the cell culture laboratory;
3. has published at least two publications as the first author in an international peer-reviewed journal;
4. has the ability to prepare reports, communicate with Team Members, present results (also during the conferences) and prepare draft scientific papers for academic journals in English;
5. has excellent ability to work independently and in a high-performing team;
6. has to comply with the non-compete policy following the WIB Program guidelines.

The commission evaluates applications on a point scale (max 100 points).

The Commission will take into account the following criteria:

1. competences to perform specific tasks in a research project (max 30 points);
2. previous scientific achievements, including publications in the renowned publishers/scientific journals, grants, awards, opinion of the candidate, issued by an independent researcher (max 20 points);
3. soft skills – command of English language, communication skills, teamwork, compatibility of plans for individual development with the goals of the group (max 10 points);
4. 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 10 points);
5. mobility in the candidate's career (research internships, change in scientific profile, internships and work in industry) (max 10 points);
6. 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 10 points);
7. creativity measured by the quality and number of research projects the candidate has led and publications resulting from the implementation of those projects (max 10 points).

Top candidates will be invited for an online or in-person interview. Good command of English is required. We reserve the right to contact and reply to only selected candidates.

Only candidates with a minimum of 70 points would be considered for the position. A position will be offered to the person who obtains the highest number of points. The Recruitment Committee may not recommend any candidate for the position.