PhD student position

PhD student position in the Laboratory of Cell Biology

Laboratory of Cell Biology at the International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IIMCB), Warsaw, headed by Marta Miączyńska, Prof. is looking for a PhD student.

You will join the project entitled “Identification of novel vulnerabilities of VPS4B-deficient cancer cells” carried out as the OPUS grant (Registration No. 2020/37/B/NZ3/02991) of the National Science Centre, Poland under the supervision of Ewelina Szymańska, PhD. 

Project background: VPS4B and VPS4A are ATPases involved in membrane remodeling. The localization of VPS4B gene on 18q chromosome in the vicinity of tumor suppressors contributes to its frequent deletions in many cancers, like colorectal cancer. Previously, we found that this weakness, even though not lethal for cancer cells, makes them vulnerable to loss of the VPS4A paralog (more details in Szymanska et al., EMBO Mol Med, 2020). We hypothesize that VPS4B-deficient cancer cells are selectively vulnerable also to other perturbations affecting gene(s) cooperating with VPS4B in maintaining cell homeostasis.

The project goal is to identify novel vulnerabilities of VPS4B-deficient cancer cells. In particular we aim to identify and characterize novel dependencies of VPS4B-deficient cancer cells among candidates selected from datasets of the Cancer Dependency Map Project (Broad Institute, USA). We will characterize the impact of simultaneous VPS4B and a codependent candidate depletion on in vitro and in vivo growth of cancer cells.

As a PhD student you will be involved in generating by CRISPR/Cas9 and RNAi methods cancer cell lines bearing codepletion of a selected candidate and VPS4B and subsequent characterizing in vivo and in vitro growth of these cells. Furthermore, you will participate in the analysis of the consequences of simultaneous depletion of VPS4B and a candidate for cancer-relevant cellular processes. Also, you will perform literature research, participate in lab meetings and activities, write thesis and publications.

The PhD student will subsequently be required to apply to the Warsaw-4-PhD doctoral school via website https://warsaw4phd.eu/en/candidates/admissions (the application system will be activated from 22^nd December, deadline for sending application 5^th January).  For more information, please follow the link https://warsaw4phd.eu/en/documents  via https://warsaw4phd.eu/en/index-en  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://www.iimcb.gov.pl/en/institute/hr-excellence.

Requirements for the candidate:

1. Holds a Master's degree in biology, biochemistry or related field.

2. Eligibility for PhD studies in Poland.

3. Solid knowledge of the principles of cell and molecular biology.

4. Hands-on experience in laboratory work and familiarity with basic molecular biology techniques such as cell culture, immunoblotting, RT-PCR, and/or immunostaining and cell imaging by confocal microscope.

5. Keen interest in cancer cell biology. 

6. Written and spoken fluency in English.

7. Willingness to learn and take new challenges, ability to work independently, analytical thinking.

8. Good interpersonal skills and a collaborative attitude.

We offer:

1. Full-time PhD scholarship for 48 months in amount: a) before the mid-term evaluation 3700 pln net/month; b) after mid-term evaluation 4500 pln net/month

2. Position with 100% focus on research (no teaching obligations)

3. Benefits including reduced-rate for an individual 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 January 5^th, 2021. The summer semester at the Doctoral School shall begin on February 24^th, 2021.

How to apply:

• Apply via website https://warsaw4phd.eu/en/candidates/admissions  (the application system will be activated from 22^nd December, 2020 deadline for sending application 5^th January, 2021). If you have any enquiries about the recruitment process or the project, please send your request to Ten adres pocztowy jest chroniony przed spamowaniem. Aby go zobaczyć, konieczne jest włączenie w przeglądarce obsługi JavaScript. 

• 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://www.iimcb.gov.pl/pl/information-clause.
  
  We would like to inform the competition for PhD Student position has been resolved, the selected candidate is Malwina Bożena Grębowicz.