The Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology PAS is seeking a candidate for the position of: Postdoctoral Researcher at Laboratory of Neuroinformatics
Number of available positions: 1
Place of work: Laboratory of Neuroinformatics, Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology PAS, Ludwika Pasteura 3, 02-093 Warszawa
Researcher career profiles (R1-R4): R2
Field of science: interdisciplinary project combining neuroinformatics, neurobiology, and physics
Type of recruitment: NCN SHENG 4, “Elucidating the principles of primate thalamocortical circuitry”
Requirements:
- Background in Neuroimaging, Neuroscience, Physics, Computer Science, or a related field, documented by peer-reviewed publications,
- Experience in neuro- or bioimaging and applications of artificial intelligence in digital image processing,
- Proficiency in Python, including standard scientific libraries,
- Strong software engineering and analytical skills,
- Fluent in English for effective communication with international partners and preparation of manuals, training materials, and scientific manuscripts,
- Experience in interdisciplinary projects, particularly neurobiology, computational neuroanatomy, and image processing,
- Experience in implementing AI-based image processing and registration methods,
- Experience with cloud computing platforms and HPC (high performance computing) environments,
- Experience with Neuroscience toolkits (e.g., ITKSnap, ITK, VTK, Connectome Workbench, Free Surfer),
- Knowledge of nervous system anatomy,
- The candidate has been awarded a PhD degree in the year of employment in the project or within 12 years prior to 1 January of the year of employment in the project. This period may be extended pursuant to the terms laid down in the document Types of costs in research projects funded by the NCN.
- The candidate has been awarded a PhD degree by an institution other than Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology PAS; alternatively, they must have completed a continuous and documented research fellowship of at least 10 months, carried out during doctoral school, doctoral studies, or after obtaining the PhD degree, at an institution other than Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology PAS and in a country different from that in which the PhD degree was awarded.
- Good command of written and spoken English.
Project description:
Postdoctoral Researcher in digital brain atlasing and spatial transcriptomics.
This is a prestigious opportunity at the Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, one of Poland’s leading centers for biological research. The position focuses on the intersection of spatial transcriptomics and connectomics, specifically within the marmoset thalamocortical circuit. The goal of the project is to elucidate the fine structure, connection patterns, and functional organizational principles of the thalamocortical loop and explore primate-specific features by comparing it with rodent models. The expected outcomes include the establishment of a comprehensive, open-access, integrated resource of multi-omics data on the marmoset thalamocortical circuit; the discovery of connection patterns, molecular characteristics, and species-specific features; and publication of high-impact research articles. This is a full-time, on-site position with remuneration in accordance with the Polish National Science Centre regulations. We encourage you to check out the project’s abstract for the general audience available through the National Science Centre website (https://projekty.ncn.gov.pl/opisy/638693-en.pdf).
Scope of tasks:
- Improvement of the project methodology,
- Integration of the connectome and the transcriptome datasets,
- Design and help in implementation of the functionalities of the http://marmosetbrain.org portal to incorporate thalamocortical connectivity and multi-omics data, uploading the mentioned data to the portal,
- Project dissemination by presenting the results at conferences and other events, manuscript preparation,
- Hands-on, full-time engagement in tasks related to integration of the connectome and transcriptome data, improvement of AI-based methods for identifying thalamic nuclei, collating multiple imaging modalities into a multimodal atlas,
- Assistance in investigating the relationship between gene co-expression and connectivity patterns of the thalamus and the cerebral cortex, cross-species analysis of the thalamocortical multi-omics patterns to reveal primate-specific features.
Employment conditions:
- Fixed term 3 years (36 months), full-time employment contract,
- Monthly salary around 9700 PLN gross,
- Start date: July 1, 2026, is preferred; the final start date is negotiable,
- Professional Development: the project offers significant opportunities for professional growth, specifically conducting research within an international, Polish-Australian-Chinese research team, as well as the chance to publish in leading journals in the field of neurobiology,
- Additional Benefits: Medical insurance, sports card, and social benefits fund.
Application procedure and deadline:
Closing date for applications: June 30, 2026.
Applications should be sent to postdoc@nencki.edu.pl with note: “SHENG”. Selected candidates will be invited for interviews at the Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology PAS headquarters or online.
Required documents:
- A detailed academic curriculum vitae,
- A cover letter highlighting research experience relevant to the project,
- A list of peer-reviewed publications and conference presentations,
- Contact details for two references,
- Statement by the candidate that when the remuneration is paid, he/she will be receiving no other remuneration paid from the funds granted to research projects under NCN calls under the heading of direct costs,
- Declaration that when the remuneration is paid, the candidate will be receiving no remuneration from another employer pursuant to an employment contract, including an employer with registered office outside of Poland.
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:
For more information please contact: dr hab. Piotr Majka p.majka@nencki.edu.pl
Link to website: https://neuroinflab.wordpress.com/
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.
Personal data collected in order to perform the recruitment process shall be processed throughout the period of time necessary for the organisation and completion of the recruitment process, as well as for considering a possible complaint; however, not longer than for the period specified in the project regulations.
Personal data will not be transferred to a third party.
You have the right to request the data controller for access to your personal data, to edit or limit its processing, as well as to raise an objection or transfer your data. You are also entitled to file a complaint to the supervisory body (President of the Office for Personal Data Protection).