Early Stage Researcher

Early Stage Researcher position in the Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Protein Engineering

Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Protein Engineering at the International Institute for Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw (IIMCB), Poland, headed by Prof. Janusz Bujnicki, seeks productive, creative, and motivated Early Stage Researcher to join a project entitled “ROPES - ROles of ePistranscriptomic in diseasES”, funded from the European Union’s Horizon 2020 research and innovation programme under the Marie Skłodowska-Curie grant agreement No 956810.

The ROPES project aims to use computational approaches (including big data and machine learning) to understand how the chemical modifications alter the function of RNA molecules and their interacting partners, in particular in the context of human health. 

Early Stage Researcher task. You will be involved in an interdisciplinary bioinformatics project that combines software development with analyses of biological data. You will be responsible for extending the MODOMICS database to include data on RNA modifications in human RNAs that are currently not available or incomplete in the database, such as modifications in mRNAs, lncRNAs, and data related to gene expression. One of the planned analyses involves the analysis of links between genetic variation related to RNA modification in humans with disease, and the development of computer software (e.g., based on machine learning) for predicting biological effects of RNA modification. The project will also involve a lot of data gathering, including systematic reading of scientific literature in the area of RNA biology related to RNA modification and editing. The training will involve research visits in collaborating research groups in Italy and Germany.

The ideal candidate should be able to pursue challenging tasks, solve problems and achieve objectives, and do so in intense collaboration and communication with other researchers. Candidates will be selected 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.

Requirements:

Formal eligibility and criteria:

1. Formal eligibility for Ph.D. by research in Poland, including M.Sc. recognizable in Poland, in any relevant area (e.g. bioinformatics, biology, chemistry, physics, etc.), 

2. Fulfilling the following formal criteria.

3. Researcher status: Early-Stage Researchers (ESRs) are young researchers who, at the date of recruitment, are in the first four years (full-time equivalent research experience) of their research careers and have not been awarded a doctoral degree.

4. Nationality: Applicant ESRs can be of any nationality. 

5. Mobility requirements: Applicant ESRs must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Poland for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the date of recruitment

Research and professional experience and knowledge:

1. Documented experience in computer programming, in particular database development. High level of coding in Python is essential. Experience in website/web server development is essential. Candidates who can demonstrate experience with Django will have advantage. Knowledge of HTML, Javascript, CSS, and BASH scripting, and programming in other languages (including C/C++,R, Java) will be advantageous. Candidates are required to provide samples of their code for every language and programing skill in which they claim expertise. Applications without the code samples will not be considered.

2. At least basic understanding of molecular and cellular biology is essential. Knowledge of RNA biology and of RNA modifications is not essential, but will be advantageous.

3. Documented experience in computational analyses of biological data is not essential, but will be advantageous.

4. Proactive approach to achieving objectives, ability to maintain focus on defined goals, good interpersonal skills, collaborative and adaptive attitude are all essential.

5. Very good project and time management skills, ability to work simultaneously on several tasks.

6. Very good command of English (fluent written and oral communication). 

We offer:

• Full employment contract for 36 months

• Research secondments in the group of Prof. Quattrone (UNITN, Italy) and Prof. Frye (DKFZ, Germany). Please mind that several months research stays abroad are part for this project.

• 3068.85 EUR/month of total remuneration cost, ca. 1800 EUR/month net salary plus family allowance if applicable ca. 300 EUR net/month. The salary will be paid in PLN.

• No teaching obligations, ambitious scientific works under the supervision of Prof. Bujnicki,

• Benefits including a reduced rate for an individual medical care package and membership in the MultiSport programme

• Full technical, administrative, and organizational support from professional English-speaking personnel

• Participation in courses and scientific training

The deadline for applications is February 28^th , 2021. The job starting date is April 1^st, 2021.

How to apply:

• Apply now to Ten adres pocztowy jest chroniony przed spamowaniem. Aby go zobaczyć, konieczne jest włączenie w przeglądarce obsługi JavaScript.

• In the subject include "ROPES_ESR" and your first and last name.

• Your application must be submitted in English and should contain: 1. Curriculum Vitae, 2. motivation letter describing your key achievements and including contacts to at least two potential referees, 3. copy of the Bachelor’s and Master’s certificates and the respective Transcript of Records, 4. summary of the Master’s degree thesis, 5. ESR eligibility and declarations form, filled in and signed ESR form.

• Please include the following statement in your Ciruciulum Vitae: “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 Information Clausenformation Clause.

• Best candidate(s) may be given additional questions and tasks as a part of the recruitment process

The competition may be extended until a suitable candidate who fulfils all requirements is found.

Due to the non-application of candidates who met all the formal and substantive requirements, we decided to reopen the call.