The Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology PAS is seeking a candidate for the position of: Postdoctoral Researcher at Laboratory of Neurophysiology of Mind
Number of available positions: 1
Place of work: Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology, PAS, Laboratory of Neurophysiology of Mind
Researcher career profiles (R1-R4): R2
Field of science: Biology
Type of recruitment: NCN SONATA-BIS
Requirements:
- PhD degree, or equivalent, in, psychology, physics, neuroscience, neuorinformatics, biology or relevant, obtained not earlier than 7 years before the year of employment in the project (not including maternity leaves),
- Strong MATLAB and/or Python programing skills – signal analysis, statistics, neuronal modeling, machine learning,
- Experience in human electrophysiological research is a plus, experience in intracranial human research large plus,
- Knowledge of cognitive system is a plus, knowledge of neuronal basis of Working memory is a large plus,
- Scientific hardware capability will be considered a plus – troubleshooting during recording sessions,
- Interpersonal skills for patient interaction and effective collaboration with medical staff and other team members,
- Exceptional motivation for the scientific research (demonstrated via publications, references of the candidate's thesis tutor),
- Knowledge of Polish is a plus (due to research with Polish population) but if you excel with other requirements we can live without it,
- It is expected that during the period of employment at the Institute, Postdoctoral Researcher will not undertake any other work.
Project description:
We combine a unique methodology of recording the activity of single neurons in humans with advanced analytical approaches, such as machine learning and multidimensional analyses, to better understand the neural foundations of the human cognitive system, especially Working Memory.
We are the first lab in Poland to record the activity of single neurons in humans. Our work was recently published in Nature Human Behaviour https://www.nature.com/articles/s41562-025-02235-0, which makes us very strong lab in this field in Europe.
Podcast what we do in Polish: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NtF9h1eX4h0
We are looking for great postdocs to work with us doing human intracranial recordings and to make impact on science.
In the project „Neuronal mechanisms of working memory: a combined single-neuron and network-level approach in humans” our group investigates the neuronal mechanisms of working memory at the single-neuron level and aims to translate these findings into network-level understanding. We take advantage of rare opportunities to record neuronal activity directly in humans during the clinical implantation of Deep Brain Stimulation (DBS) devices. Specifically, we focus on two structures central to working memory and affected in psychiatric disorders such as schizophrenia, depression, and ADHD: the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC) and dopaminergic nuclei, including the substantia nigra.
By combining single-neuron recordings with electrical stimulation and advanced computational approaches, we seek to build a comprehensive framework of the neuronal architecture underlying working memory. This knowledge will not only deepen our understanding of the neural code of cognition but also inspire novel strategies for the treatment of psychiatric disorders characterized by working memory deficits.
Summary of the project: https://www.ncn.gov.pl/sites/default/files/listy-rankingowe/2019-06-17/streszczenia/454699-en.pdf
Scope of work:
- Planning and conducting experimental work (research conducted during implantation of DBS electrode and epilepsy monitoring).
- Data analysis (analysis of electrophysiological signal including single-unit sorting).
- Manuscript preparation.
- Supervision of PhD students.
This is a research position and does not include teaching.
Employment conditions:
- Monthly salary ~10 000 PLN gross;
- Starting date: November 2025.
Application procedure and deadline:
Applications should be sent to: postdoc@nencki.edu.pl, with a note „Postdoc JK”.
Deadline: October 14th, 2025
Required documents:
- CV along with a list of publications,
- Summary of the doctoral thesis,
- Letter-of-intent,
- Copy of PhD diploma (or equivalent),
- 2 letters of recommendation,
- The list of techniques and methods that the applicant if familiar with,
- The candidate's statement that she/he is not financed from other projects of the National Science Center,
- Declaration that the Nencki Institute of Experimental Biology will be the primary place of employment.
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:
From those who meet the criteria set out in the announcement, the best candidates will be invited for the interview with the recruitment committee. We reserve the right to invite only selected applicants for the interview.
Further information can be obtained by contacting prof. Jan Kamiński (j.kaminski@nencki.edu.pl).
See our Lab Websites: https://nencki.edu.pl/laboratories/laboratory-of-neurophysiology-of-mind/
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).