Call for applications for a phd scholarship founded by the national science center in poland

The project leader, Prof. Dr. Witold Szaflarski, announces a call for applications for a PhD position in the field of molecular, cellular, and structural biology within the OPUS project funded by the National Science Center, entitled: “Do stress granules truly matter for cellular protection? A multiparametric analysis of their formation and function under drug-induced stress.”

The goal of this project is to investigate how anticancer drugs, antibiotics, and selected drug-like compounds interfere with protein biosynthesis and how these effects affect ribosome function, stress-response pathways, stress granule formation, and cell survival. The PhD student will contribute to an interdisciplinary research program combining drug screening, cellular and molecular assays, translation assays, and microscopy-based analyses of drug-induced stress. Selected aspects of the project are planned to be developed through international collaborations involving advanced structural and ultrastructural approaches, including cryo-EM and cryo-ET.

PhD scholarship: PLN 6,500 gross per month, approximately PLN 5,000 net, paid for up to 48 months.
The University offers accommodation in a student dormitory in a single room, with the monthly cost not exceeding PLN 2,000.

Planned project start date: October 1st, 2026
Name of the hosting institution and doctoral student’s workplace: Department of Histology and Embryology, Poznan University of Medical Sciences, Poland

The candidate should meet the following requirements:

• A university degree in molecular biology, biotechnology, pharmacy, or chemistry
• Basic knowledge of molecular and cell biology techniques
• Prior experience with fluorescence, confocal, or electron microscopy and morphometric techniques is welcome
• Good computer skills and/or experience in bioinformatics, image analysis, programming, or quantitative analysis of biological data
• Good command of English
• Availability for temporary research stays abroad
• Importantly(!), the candidate must meet the admission requirements of the Doctoral School at the Poznan University of Medical Sciences. Before applying, candidates should first verify whether they fulfill the Doctoral School criteria, especially documented scientific activity, preferably publications, or alternatively active participation in scientific conferences through posters or oral presentations, and/or scientific awards.

https://szkoladoktorska.ump.edu.pl/rekrutacja-szkola-doktorska

We offer:

• Opportunities for scientific development
• Work in a well-equipped laboratory
• Exposure to an international research environment
• Support in securing international internships during the PhD and the possibility to conduct part of the doctoral research abroad
• The opportunity to complete the PhD thesis in English with a co-supervisor from a foreign institution

Application procedure and deadline:
Recruitment is conducted electronically. The employer reserves the right to invite candidates for an additional interview (online format possible). Applications sent by regular mail will not be returned.

Please send your documents to witold@ump.edu.pl (Prof. Witold Szaflarski, project leader) by July 3st, 2026.

The results of the recruitment process are expected to be announced by August 10th, 2026.
Additional information can be obtained via the email address above.

The employer reserves the right to respond only to selected applications. The recruitment process may be closed without selecting a candidate.


Please include the following clause in your CV:
"I hereby give my consent for the processing of my personal data contained in this recruitment form by the Poznan University of Medical Sciences, based in Poznań at ul. Fredry 10 (data controller), for the purposes of the recruitment process for the position specified in the job announcement, in accordance with 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, as well as the Act of 10 May 2018 on the protection of personal data (Journal of Laws 2018, item 1000), as part of the legal obligation incumbent on the data controller (Article 6(1)(a) of the GDPR)."

Data Protection Notice
The data controller is the Poznan University of Medical Sciences, based in Poznań at ul. Fredry 10. Contact details for the Data Protection Officer: iod@ump.edu.pl
Personal data contained in your CV is collected and will be processed solely for the purpose of the recruitment process for the position specified in the job announcement, conducted by the Poznan University of Medical Sciences.