Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Cancer and Meiotic Proteins Full-time NEW

Postdoctoral Research Fellow – Cancer, Development and Non-Canonical Functions of Meiotic Proteins

Cell Cycle Laboratory, Institute of Medical Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences (IMB PAS), Tylna 3A, Łódź, Poland

Contract: 3 years in the first instance, with possibility of extension
Start date: Flexible
Salary: Competitive and highly attractive relative to the cost of living in Poland

Join an ambitious, internationally funded research programme

The McClurg Laboratory at the Institute of Medical Biology, Polish Academy of Sciences, is seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Fellow to join our growing research team in Łódź, Poland.

We are an internationally funded laboratory supported by an EMBO Installation Grant and multiple national and international research awards. Our work focuses on one of the most exciting emerging questions in cell biology: why proteins thought to function exclusively during meiosis are reactivated in cancer and development, and how these unexpected “moonlighting” functions can be exploited to understand disease and develop new therapeutic strategies.

Our research sits at the interface of:

• Cancer biology
• Cell cycle regulation
• Chromatin biology
• Cilia and centrosome biology
• Developmental biology
• Functional genomics

Recent work from the laboratory has been published in high-quality international journals, including Science Advances, and we are committed to conducting ambitious, mechanistic science that answers fundamental biological questions while maintaining a supportive and collaborative research environment.

One of the major advantages of this position is the combination of a competitive postdoctoral salary and the relatively low cost of living in Łódź.

A postdoctoral researcher employed on this project can expect to enjoy a standard of living that is increasingly difficult to achieve in many Western European university cities. Modern one-bedroom apartments can typically be rented for approximately €500–700 per month, while spacious two-bedroom apartments are commonly available for €700–1,000 per month depending on location and standard.

After accommodation and typical monthly living expenses, postdoctoral researchers can still expect to retain >50% of their salary for savings, travel, hobbies or family expenses.

Łódź offers an excellent balance between affordability and quality of life. The city combines a vibrant cultural scene, excellent restaurants and cafés, extensive green spaces and international schools.

For researchers seeking both scientific excellence and a high quality of life, Łódź offers an increasingly attractive alternative to many traditional European research hubs where housing costs consume a much larger proportion of postdoctoral salaries.

The project

The successful candidate will contribute to projects investigating the non-canonical functions of synaptonemal complex proteins in cancer and normal development.

Depending on experience and interests, the postdoctoral researcher will have opportunities to develop independent research directions involving:

• Gene regulation and chromatin biology
• Centrosome and cilia biology
• Cancer cell biology
• Functional genomics
• CRISPR-based genetic engineering
• Advanced imaging approaches
• Proteomics and protein interaction mapping

We strongly encourage the successful candidate to develop their own scientific ideas, generate fellowship applications and build a pathway towards research independence.

What we are looking for

We are seeking an enthusiastic and collaborative scientist who enjoys working as part of a team while also driving their own research programme.

Essential experience includes:

• PhD in cell biology, molecular biology, cancer biology, genetics, developmental biology or a related field
• Molecular cloning
• Mammalian tissue culture
• DNA transfection
• Western blotting
• Fluorescence microscopy and image analysis
• CRISPR-based genome editing
• Experimental design and data interpretation
• Strong written and verbal communication skills
• Immunoprecipitation
• Experience and willingness to supervise students or junior researchers

Desirable experience includes:

• Next-generation sequencing analysis
• R programming and data analysis
• RNA-seq, CUT&Tag, ChIP-seq or related genomic techniques experience
• Bioinformatics
• High-content imaging
• Proteomics
• Mouse models

Beyond research

This position is ideal for someone who wishes to become an independent scientist.

The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Lead and develop research projects
• Contribute to grant and fellowship applications
• Mentor PhD and MSc students
• Support training within the laboratory
• Help maintain a positive, collaborative laboratory culture
• Contribute to the scientific development of the group

We place strong emphasis on collegiality, openness, mutual support and scientific rigour. We are looking for someone who is not only an excellent researcher but also a valued team member.

Why join us?

Scientific environment

• Internationally funded research programme
• EMBO-supported laboratory
• Opportunities for high-impact publications
• Strong international collaborations across Europe and the UK
• Access to modern molecular, imaging and genomics infrastructure
• Support for fellowship applications and career development

Life in Łódź

Łódź is located in the heart of Europe. The city offers:

• Excellent quality of life
• Significantly lower living costs than most Western European cities
• Affordable housing
• Vibrant restaurant, arts and cultural scene

The salary offered for this position provides a very comfortable standard of living relative to local costs, allowing researchers to enjoy a quality of life that is increasingly difficult to achieve in many larger European research hubs.

How to apply

Please send to [Please click the Apply button for the link or address]:

• CV
• Cover letter outlining research interests and career goals
• Contact details for two referees
• A brief summary of previous research achievements

We particularly encourage applications from candidates who are excited by fundamental biological discovery, enjoy collaborative science and wish to develop towards scientific independence within a supportive research environment.

This is not a call with a set deadline, we accept application throughout the year and will appoint the right candidate.

Tagged as: Life Sciences