Postdoctoral Researcher

Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Protein Engineering at the International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology (IIMCB), Warsaw, headed by Prof. Janusz M. Bujnicki, offers a position for a Postdoctoral researcher in computational approaches to structure determination by cryo-EM and other methods.

Deadline for applications: July 9^th, 2021. Preferred job starting date: September 1^st, 2021 or as soon as possible.

As a Postdoctoral Researcher, you will have a senior role in the development of innovative integrative software for the computational determination and modeling of macromolecular structures involving proteins, nucleic acids, and small molecules. You will be also involved in various structure determination and modeling analyses for various viral and bacterial RNAs and RNA-protein complexes studied in the laboratory.

This position is ideal for you if you have solid experience both in software development and in macromolecular structural biology (in particular cryo-EM, X-ray crystallography, SAXS, and/or AFM), and if you wish to learn new techniques of integrative structural biology, including experimental research and computational modeling.

We encourage applications from candidates at any stage of their post-doctoral career, in particular from those interested in submitting their own fellowship/grant applications and in training towards scientific independence (next stage: junior group leader elsewhere) or growing towards a position of a senior scientist within our organization (long-term cooperation, involvement in multiple projects, supervision of junior scientists).

You are expected to take a lead and apply for fellowship/grant funding within the first year of your employment, with a project that combines the area of our interest with your own ideas.

Our laboratory studies the structures and mechanisms of biological macromolecules, in particular RNA and macromolecular complexes involving nucleic acids, proteins, and small molecules. We use experimental approaches such as chemical probing, crystallography, cryo-EM, and SAXS to characterize the structures and functions of RNAs and their complexes. We also develop and use computer programs for data analyses, in particular for modeling based on experimental data. Examples of our methods include SimRNA and ModeRNA, and the MODOMICS database. Our recent analyses include the 3D structure modeling of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus RNA.

We offer:

• Full-time contract (“umowa o pracę”) for at least 18 months, with an intended extension depending on performance

• Gross monthly remuneration: 7350 PLN/month - 7600 PLN/month, net approx. 5800 PLN/month - 6000 PLN/month (the final monthly gross salary will be calculated individually during the employment process, taking into account the length of service). Additional bonuses such as the 13th salary after working for the Institute for six months in a given calendar year, or Christmas bonus may supplement this salary.

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

• Work in a multidisciplinary, international team, in a very dynamic organization, with multiple opportunities for professional development, participation in courses, scientific training, support from peers, and academic mentoring

• Administrative and organizational support from professional English-speaking personnel

We require:

• Ph.D. in any relevant area (e.g., physics, biology, chemistry, etc.)

• Strong publication record, including at least one first-author publication in a very good journal

• Documented experience in structural biology (macromolecular structure determination based on experimental data)

• Documented experience in programming (C/C++ or Python and ideally both)

• Experience in molecular modeling is not essential, but will be a strong advantage

• Experience in machine learning is not essential, but will be a strong advantage

• Experience in RNA bioinformatics and RNA structure analysis is not essential, but will be a strong advantage

• Expertise and competence in designing and carrying out scientific experiments and in interpreting their results

• Experience in writing manuscripts for publication, and fellowship or grant proposals

• Vision of your professional growth within ~5 years, including the capacity to apply for fellowship/grant funding within the first year of your employment, with projects that synergize the core strengths of the team with your own ideas

• Proactive approach to achieving objectives, good interpersonal skills, collaborative and adaptive attitude

• Very good organizational skills, especially project and time management skills

• Very good command of English (written and oral communication) and presentation skills

How to apply:

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

• In the subject of the message include "IIMCB-postdoc-compstruct" and your first and last name

• Your application must be submitted in English and should contain: 1) a CV, 2) a cover letter including a short description of your key achievements and explicit responses to the following questions: What are your scientific interests and how do they relate to requirements of the position offered? What are your key strengths? What do you know about our laboratory and why do you want to work with us?, 3) contacts to at least two potential referees, including your Ph.D. supervisor. At this stage, please do not attach copies of diplomas, etc.

• Please include the following statement in your CV: “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/3guEMJ7

• We will contact only selected best candidates, who may be given additional questions and tasks as a part of the recruitment process

• The competition may be extended or repeated until a suitable candidate who fulfills all requirements is found

The Postdoctoral Researcher will be selected from candidates 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.

We would like to inform that competition for Postdoctoral Researcher position has been resolved, the selected candidate is Giorgios Kritikos.