The Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology PAS is seeking a candidate for the position of: Postdoctoral Researcher at Laboratory of Cell Biophysics
Number of available positions: 1
Place of work: Laboratory of Cell Biophysics
Researcher career profiles (R1-R4): R2/R3
Field of science: Biological sciences, Chemistry, Neurosciences
Type of recruitment: National Science Centre Sonata BIS project
Requirements:
- education: PhD in chemistry, biology, biotechnology, neurobiology or similar,
- professional experience: experience in experimental work in the laboratory, strong publication record,
- skills: creativity and analytical thinking, experience in the application of methods of cell biology/proteomic. Skills in animal handling and behavioral studies or mass spectrometry are additional attributes,
- competences: ability to work both independently and as a part of a team, independence in planning, performing experiments and data analysis, excellent verbal communication skills,
- doctoral degree obtained not earlier than 7 years before the year of employment in the project. The period of 7 years may be extended by the duration specified in the NCN regulations.
- good command of written and spoken English.
Project description:
The hallmark of the mammalian brain is the ability of processing and storing information in synapses and highly organized neuronal networks. The brain can adapt and change in response to various events under physiological conditions (i.e. learning) and pathophysiological conditions (i.e. epilepsy, stroke). Understanding the fundamental mechanisms of the plasticity of synaptic connections and neuronal network code lies in the center of contemporary neurobiology, neuropharmacology, and medicine. Targeting proteins to membranes is aided by covalent and reversible addition of fatty acids such as palmitic acid (S-palmitoylation). This modification may affect the membrane localization of the protein, protein activity and protein-protein interactions. We hypothesize this process plays a key role in learning and memory, because pharmacological modification of S-palmitoylation in rat nervous tissue abolished long-term synaptic potentiation, a substrate of memory formation. We have also discovered, that spatial learning in rats is associated with S-palmitoylation of specific neuronal proteins.
The project aims at describing the interaction of neurotransmitter dopamine and S-palmitoylation of synaptic proteins in the hippocampus- part of the brain playing crucial role in learning. In the team consisting of experts of various fields, we combine multiple experimental techniques: detection of modified proteins with mass spectrometry, genetic and pharmacological manipulation of activity of enzymes related to palmitoylation, behavioral analysis of learning in animals. We perform live recordings of electric signals from synapses, single neurons and neuronal networks and currents conducted by synaptic proteins to better understand the functional aspects of palmitoylated vs non-palmitoylated states.
Taking advantage of various experimental models and advanced quantitative methods we plan to address the following questions:
- What is the role and time-course of S-palmitoylation in synaptic plasticity?
- How dopamine affects S-palmitoylation of synaptic proteins?
- What is the effect of S-palmitoylation of the function of proteins involved in learning and memory?
The results of this project will shed new light on the general mechanisms governing brain plasticity and may be also important for the understanding of dopamine role in brain physiology as well as planning new therapeutic strategies for the treatment of some neurological diseases.
Scope of tasks:
- description of the role and the time-course of S-PALM in learning, memory and neuronal plasticity.
Employment conditions:
- type of contract: full-time fixed term contract,
- duration of contract: 9 months with possibility for extension,
- work in a young team in an excellent scientific environment,
- access to the state-of-the-art equipment and facilities dedicated to neuroscience research. The laboratory is located at the at the Nencki Institute of Polish Academy of Sciences in Warsaw, It is a leading research institute in Poland focused on different aspects of physiology and neurobiology and offers state-of-the-art research facilities and a vibrant, international scientific community: https://www.nencki.edu.pl/
- participation in courses and conferences,
- comprehensive training in electrophysiological recordings,
- training and visits in collaborating laboratories in Poland and abroad,
- additional benefits: medical insurance, possibility to use sport card, social fund. The Institute is located at Ochota academic campus close to the center of the city with free bicycle and car parking lot.
Application procedure and deadline:
Required documents:
- CV,
- description of professional experience with emphasis on research techniques used by the applicant,
- list of publications,
- letter-of-intent,
- references,
- statement by the candidate that he/she will not receive remuneration from other projects funded by the National Science Centre.
- declaration that the candidate will not take up other jobs during the period of employment in the project.
You can use the foreign equivalent of a Polish academic degree if it meets at least one of the following criteria:
- is covered by the provisions of an international agreement on the equivalence of education,
- was issued by an authorized institution operating in an EU, OECD or EFTA Member State,
- was issued in another country and recognized on the basis of the regulations on the recognition of academic degrees obtained abroad (learn more about the procedure for the recognition of academic degrees:
Applications should be sent to postdoc@nencki.edu.pl with note: “Postdoctoral Researcher TW” with a copy to t.wojtowicz@nencki.edu.pl till July 5th, 2024.
Individual conversations will be scheduled online.
For more information please contact: Tomasz Wójtowicz, PhD t.wojtowicz@nencki.edu.pl
Link to website:
https://sites.google.com/nencki.edu.pl/cell-biophysics-lab/
https://www.nencki.edu.pl/laboratories/laboratory-of-cell-biophysics/
Additional information:
Please include the following clause in your CV:
I give consent for my personal data included in the recruitment form to be processed by Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology PAS with its registered seat in Warsaw at Pasteur Street No. 3 (data controller) for the purposes of recruitment for Postdoctoral Researcher position pursuant to Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC in compliance with a legal obligation to which the data controller is subject to (Art. 6 section 1 letter a) and the Act on personal data protection of 10 May 2018 (Journal of Laws of 2018, item 1000).
Information Clause:
The Controller of data is Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology PAS with its registered seat in Warsaw at Pasteur Street No. 3.
Contact Details of the Personal Data Protection Officer: iod@nencki.edu.pl
Personal data in the recruitment form is collected and will be processed only for the purposes of recruitment for Postdoctoral Researcher position conducted by Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology PAS.
Giving consent for processing of your personal data is voluntary; however, it is necessary in order to take part in recruitment. I hereby state that I was informed about the right to withdraw my consent at any time. The withdrawal of the consent does not influence the lawfulness of any processing performed before the consent withdrawal.
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