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Dioxygenases use molecular oxygen to modify their substrates, which can include proteins, nucleic acids, fatty acids, and small molecules. Because of their versatility, dioxygenases are involved in many essential cellular processes, such as breaking down fatty acids, signalling, and regulating gene expression. Dioxygenases are also important drug targets, and many widely used medicines work by blocking their activity.

This project will employ a combination of state-of-the-art organic, medicinal, and biologic chemistry techniques to develop potent and selective small molecule and peptide inhibitors of two unusual human dioxygenases related to cancer. Additionally, the effects of the inhibitors on dioxygenase catalysis and their interactions with dioxygenases will be determined (using e.g. activity assays and protein crystallography); part of the work will be carried out together with international collaborators. Collectively, the results of these investigations will help the design of cancer therapeutics.

• Design, plan and conduct experiments related to the synthesis and characterization of human dioxygenase inhibitors
• Synthesize and characterize enzyme inhibitors in the laboratory
• Use artificial intelligence tools to support the development of inhibitors and guide their optimization
• Perform enzyme inhibition assays
• Analyse data
• Effectively work together with team members
• Disseminate research results at project meetings, in peer-reviewed journals and at conferences

We offer a scholarship position in the Institute of Physical Chemistry PAS with a monthly stipend of 1500 PLN

financed from the OPUS 30 project no. 2025/59/B/NZ1/02711.

The stipend is for 12 months with the possibility of extension.

• The candidate will have the opportunity to work in a highly ambitious young research group at the interface of medicinal chemistry, biochemistry, and structural biology, and perform work with high translational potential
• The candidate will have the opportunity to build an expertise in a plethora of state-of-the-art organic, medicinal and biological chemistry techniques
• The candidate will have an opportunity to present their work in group meetings, institutional meetings, and at conferences

1. At the starting date of the work within the project, the applicant should be a student of full-time first or second-cycle degree programmes or uniform Master’s studies at any university in Poland; (i.e., studying chemistry, biochemistry, biology, or a related field).
2. Ability to work independently as well as in a group
3. Background in organic chemistry and/or biochemistry
4. Excellent in English speaking and writing.

The recruitment committee shall evaluate the candidates’ research achievements, their research-related achievements and competencies as regards specific tasks in the research project, expressed as a point score:

• the candidate’s research achievements, including publications in prestigious academic press /journals (50% of the final score)
• research-related achievements, scholarships, awards and research experience gained in Poland or abroad, research workshops and training courses, participation in research projects (20% of the final score)
• the candidate’s competence to carry out specific tasks in the research project (30% of the final score)