Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Protein Engineering at the International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IIMCB), Warsaw, headed by Prof. Janusz M. Bujnicki, offers a position for a

Postdoctoral Researcher in bioinformatics software development for crosslinking-based stabilization of proteins

Deadline for applications:  January 31^st, 2023. Preferred job starting date: March 1^st, 2023 or as soon as possible

As a Researcher, you will play a leading role in the development and application of software for the computational design of chemical cross-linking strategies that aim for stabilization of protein 3D structures for for biotechnological and biomedical applications. In particular, you will be involved in the development of new software, optimization of existing software, in the design and optimization of computational workflows. The goal of your work will be to develop and test software for the development of improved protein variants that have real-life application in biotechnology.

This position is funded by the TRANSITION grant INCYPROnext from the European Innovation Council, Horizon Europe, which supports bilateral collaboration between Incircular B.V., a spin-off founded by the Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam (coordinator), and the International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw (academic collaborator).
The project aims to improve and commercialize INCYPRO, the innovative protein stabilization technology invented and developed in Prof. Grossman's research lab at VUA, with the macromolecular modeling expertise of Prof. Bujnicki's lab at IIMCB. The Grossman and Bujnicki teams have already collaborated scientifically and published a joint paper. The goal of the INCYPROnext grant is to provide a key technology for stabilizing proteins in therapeutics and diagnostics that will enable applications that were not previously possible.

The position in the INCYPROnext project is ideal for you if you have solid experience both in software development (in particular in C/C++) and in macromolecular modeling (in particular Monte Carlo and/or Molecular Dynamics simulations), and if you wish to learn new techniques of integrative structural biology, including the application of chemical cross-linking to control macromolecular dynamics and stability of 3D structures in adverse conditions. You must be an experienced programmer and modeler by the time you start the project so that you can read and modify existing advanced code under the supervision of other programmers who have experience with this code. This position is not intended for beginners who want to get started in software development or macromolecular modeling, but for experienced programmers and modelers who are motivated to develop their skills in the context of collaboration between academia and industry. We encourage applications from candidates with at least a few years of postdoctoral experience and with extensive experience in both structural bioinformatics software development and molecular simulation with macromolecules and distance constraints.

Applications from candidates interested in long-term collaboration beyond the INCYPROnext project will have an advantage. Since the INCYPROnext project offers a relatively short-term position, we encourage applicants interested in submitting their own grant/funding applications for projects of mutual scientific interest to support a much longer collaboration. Candidates should be willing to take a leadership role and submit a grant/scholarship application within their first 6-12 months of employment with a project that connects the area of our interests.

Our laboratory http://iimcb.genesilico.pl studies the structures and mechanisms of biological macromolecules, in particular RNA and macromolecular complexes involving nucleic acids, proteins, and small molecules. We use experimental approaches such as chemical probing, crystallography, cryo-EM, and SAXS to characterize the structures and functions of macromolecules and their complexes. We also develop and use computer programs for data analyses, in particular for modeling based on experimental data. Examples of our methods include SimRNA and ModeRNA, and the MODOMICS database. Our recent analyses include the 3D structure modeling of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus RNA.

We offer:

• Full-time contract (“umowa o pracę”) for at least 7 months, with an intended extension depending on performance and applications for extramural funding. This project provides funding until May 2024 t the latest, and we are looking for applicants who can successfully obtain their own funding to continue our collaboration beyond that date.
• Gross monthly remuneration starting at 10,000 PLN/month, commensurate with experience (the final monthly gross salary will be calculated individually during the employment process, taking into account the length of contract). Offered renumeration includes 13th salary after working for the Institute for six months in a given calendar year, and may be supplemented by additional bonuses such as yearly bonus, and other Social Fund financial benefits.
• Benefits including reduced-rate for an individual medical care package and membership in the MultiSport program
• Work in a multidisciplinary, international team, in a very dynamic organization, with multiple opportunities for professional development, participation in courses, scientific training, support from peers, and academic mentoring
• Administrative and organizational support from professional English-speaking personnel

We require:

• Ph.D. in any area relevant to the project (e.g., structural biology, physics, biology, chemistry, etc.)
• Strong publication record, including at least one first-author publication in a good journal
• Documented experience in molecular simulations
• Documented experience in programming: Python is a must, C/C++ is advantageous
• Experience in structural bioinformatics is not essential, but will be a strong advantage
• Experience in machine learning is not essential, but will be a strong advantage
• Expertise and competence in designing and carrying out computational analyses of complex datasets and in interpreting their results
• Experience in writing manuscripts for publication, and fellowship or grant proposals
• Vision of your professional growth within ~3-5 years, including the capacity to apply for fellowship/grant funding within the first year of your employment, with projects that synergize the core strengths of the team with your own ideas
• Proactive approach to achieving objectives, good interpersonal skills, collaborative and adaptive attitude
• Very good organizational skills, especially project and time management skills
• Very good command of English (written and oral communication) and presentation skills

How to apply:

• Email your application to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• In the subject of the message include "IIMCB-researcher-INCYPRO" and your first and last name
• Your application must be submitted in English and should contain: 1) a CV, 2) a cover letter including a short description of your key achievements and explicit responses to the following questions: What are your scientific interests and how do they relate to requirements of the position offered? What are your key strengths? What do you know about our laboratory, why do you want to work with us, what would you like to learn while working with us?,
  3) contacts to at least two potential referees, including your Ph.D. supervisor. At this stage, please do not attach copies of diplomas, etc.
• Please include the following statement in your CV: “I hereby agree to the processing of my personal data, included in the application documents by the International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw, 4 Księcia Trojdena Street, 02-109 Warsaw, for the purpose of carrying out the current recruitment process.” Your personal data will be processed for the purpose of the recruitment procedure by the International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw. Full information is available under the link https://bit.ly/3UFWpY2
• We will contact only selected best candidates, who may be given additional questions and tasks as a part of the recruitment process

The Postdoctoral Researcher will be selected from candidates in an open competition, according to the procedure complying with the rules of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers as a part of HR Excellence in Research strategy https://tinyurl.com/54meyr6r. In this competition we intend to recruit up to two candidates. The competition may be extended or repeated until suitable candidates who fulfill all requirements are found.