PhD student

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

You will join the project entitled “AXL receptor signaling in cancer cell growth and drug resistance” carried out as the OPUS grant (DEC-2020/39/B/NZ3/03429) of the National Science Centre, Poland.

The project aims to investigate the molecular mechanisms of AXL receptor signaling that regulates cancer cell growth. Specifically, we will study how the AXL receptor and its ligand GAS6 stimulate uptake of nutrients from the extracellular environment via macropinocytosis. We will also determine whether and how this phenomenon contributes to drug resistance of cancer cells and, consequently, to the growth of tumors despite the applied therapy. The project is based on our previous studies in which we identified the AXL receptor interactome  and discovered that AXL binds numerous proteins that regulate actin cytoskeleton dynamics. Through such interactions, activation of AXL receptor stimulates the formation of peripheral and circular membrane ruffles that promote macropinocytosis and ultimately lead to cell invasion (see the preprint of our manuscript at https://bit.ly/3fFHeLo for more details).

As a PhD student you will be responsible for investigating which and how candidate AXL-interacting proteins contribute to macropinocytic scavenging of different nutrients by starved cancer cells.

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  (the application system will be activated from 24^th May, deadline for sending application is 6^th, June). For more information, please follow the link https://bit.ly/3g5tOtV

Candidates will be selected according to the procedure complying with 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.), the recruitment procedure for the Warsaw-4-PhD School 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/3t96hMd.

Requirements for the candidate:

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

2. Eligibility for PhD studies in Poland.

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

4. Previous experience in laboratory work and familiarity with basic molecular biology techniques.

5. Written and spoken fluency in English.

6. High motivation and willingness to learn and undertake new challenges, ability to work independently, analytical thinking.

7. Good interpersonal skills and a collaborative attitude.

We offer:

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

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

3. Benefits including a reduced rate for an individual medical care package and membership in the 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 June 6^th, 2021. The winter semester at the Doctoral School shall begin on October 1^st, 2021.

How to apply:

• Apply via website https://bit.ly/3wMdVhX (the application system will be activated from 24^th May, 2021 with deadline for sending application 6^th June, 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://bit.ly/3mHTvSl
  
  We would like to inform that the competition for PhD Student position has been resolved, the selected candidate is Marta Jakubik.