PhD student position in the Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology in IMol PAS
in collaboration with the IIMCB

Laboratory of Developmental Neurobiology (Zmorzynska Group | IMol) at the International Institute of Molecular Mechanisms and Machines (IMol), Polish Academy of Sciences, headed by Justyna Zmorzyńska, PhD, is looking for a PhD student.

The International Institute of Molecular Mechanisms and Machines (IMol) Polish Academy of Sciences, was constituted in December 2020, in partnership with University Medical Center Göttingen, Germany and University of Warsaw, Poland. IMol has been established to conduct scientific research and provide training in the fields of biological, chemical, medical, biotechnological, bioinformatics, biophysical, pharmacological, and similar sciences, in the international environment conducive to collaborative efforts, research and development interactions with biotechnological industry, and wide dissemination of our results.

You will join the project entitled “Influence of environmental factors related to maternal infection during pregnancy on the development of neuropsychiatric disorders in offspring with Tuberous Sclerosis Complex in the zebrafish model” carried out as the SONATA BIS grant (UMO-2023/50/E/NZ3/00252) of the National Science Centre, Poland.

The project aims to answer how various environmental insults related to infection during pregnancy interact with changes caused by genetic mutation and how these interactions shape connectivity development and brain function to regulate specific behaviours related to neuropsychiatric disorders. With the use of an integrative, multi-level, and unbiased approach, we aim to unravel environmental influence on early brain development with the primary focus on autism spectrum disorder (ASD), anxiety, and related learning disabilities using zebrafish semi- and high-throughput behavioural tests, cutting-edge microscopy, and computer vision techniques.

As a PhD student you will be responsible for performing experiments using zebrafish including (but not limited to) behavioral tests, live imaging of connectivity development, whole mount stainings and brain imaging, and transcriptome analysis, collaborate with team members, perform literature research, participate in lab meetings and activities, write publications, and participating in the mandatory activities of the Doctoral School.

The admissions process is conducted through the Doctoral School website system. The PhD student can apply to this specific project carried out as part of the Warsaw-4-PhD doctoral school via website https://shorturl.at/cJKQY (the application system will be activated from 19^th of December 2024; deadline for sending application is 6^th January, 2025). For more information, please follow the link https://shorturl.at/mvxOR

Candidates will be selected according to the procedure complying the rules for granting scholarships for young scientists in research projects funded by the National Science Centre (NCN Council Resolution No. 25/2019 dated March 14, 2019 r.), recruitment procedure for the Warsaw-4-PhD and 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://bit.ly/3U0dydP

Requirements for the candidate:

• MSc degree in biology, biochemistry or related field.
• Solid knowledge in at least one of the following disciplines: neuroscience, developmental biology, molecular biology, biochemistry, or microscopy and novel imaging techniques
• Solid understanding of the principles of brain development
• Basic hands-on experience in one of the fields: molecular biology, cell biology, fluorescent microscopy.
• Willingness to work with a zebrafish animal model.
• Prior experience in working with animal models (mouse or zebrafish), as well as basic programming skills would be an advantage but not essential
• Keen interest in neurodevelopment, connectivity development, and molecular mechanisms underlying behavior.
• Written and spoken fluency in English.
• Willingness to learn and take new challenges, ability to work independently, analytical thinking.
• Good interpersonal skills and a collaborative attitude.

We offer:

1. Full-time PhD scholarship 4 years (8 semesters) in amount of approx. 5000 pln net/month
2. Position with 100% focus on research (no teaching obligations)
3. Benefits including reduced-rate for an individual private medical care package and membership in MultiSport programme
4. Full technical, administrative and organizational support from professional English-speaking personnel
5. Participation in courses, scientific training, support from peers, and academic mentoring

Deadline for applications is 6^th of January, 2025. The summer semester at the Doctoral School shall begin on 24^th of February, 2025.

How to apply:

• Apply via website https://shorturl.at/cJKQY (the application system will be activated from 19^th of December, 2024; deadline for sending application is 6^th of January, 2025). If you have any enquiries about the recruitment process or the project, please send your request to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
• Please include the following statement in your email: “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
• Procedure for reporting irregularities, taking follow-up actions, and protecting whistleblowers: https://shorturl.at/u2mww