Postdoctoral Researcher in Dynamic Control of Ciliary Transport Full-time

Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences announces an open competition in accordance with the Act No. 283/1992 Coll. on the Czech Academy of Sciences, and the Statutes of the Czech Academy of Sciences for a position:

Postdoctoral Researcher in Dynamic Control of Ciliary Transport

The Institute of Biotechnology (IBT) invites applications for a postdoctoral position in the newly established Laboratory of Intracellular Dynamics led by Aniruddha Mitra, PhD. The lab investigates molecular mechanisms by which the cytoskeleton and motor proteins organize the interior of cells into specialized compartments, with a particular focus on protein sorting and transport within sensory cilia of C. elegans neurons.

The position is for you if you:

… want to work with C. elegans to address mechanistic questions in ciliary biology

… are motivated by advanced imaging and quantitative analysis in living organisms

… are interested in developing genetic and optical tools to probe molecular dynamics in vivo

… enjoy combining careful experimental work with critical mechanistic thinking

…are motivated by independence, responsibility, and the chance to build something new

About the role

The postdoc will establish and optimize the auxin-induced degradation (AID) system in C. elegans to enable precise temporal control over ciliary protein activity. This dynamic manipulation will be used to probe the functional roles of intraflagellar transport (IFT) components and ciliary membrane proteins, linking their single-molecule dynamics to changes in ciliary architecture and function.

The successful candidate will work at the interface of molecular biology, quantitative imaging, and biophysics, developing transgenic worm strains, integrating AID with advanced fluorescence microscopy and collaborating with theoretical biophysicists to model IFT dynamics.

Key responsibilities

• Develop and optimize the AID2 system in C. elegans to control ciliary protein levels with spatial and temporal precision
• Design and generate transgenic worm strains using CRISPR/Cas9 and MosSCI
• Use advanced fluorescence microscopy to quantitatively image ciliary protein dynamics in living C. elegans while inducing rapid changes in protein function
• Collaborate with team members and theoretician collaborators to link experimental results with quantitative modelling of IFT
• Contribute to manuscript preparation, grant reporting, and supervision of students in the lab
• Present research findings at national and international conferences

Desired skills and experience

• PhD in molecular or cell biology, genetics, biophysics, or a related field (completed or near completion)
• Experience in C. elegans genetics and transgenesis, with molecular cloning expertise desired
• Hands-on experience in fluorescence microscopy and quantitative image analysis
• Excellent written and spoken English, and good communication skills for collaborative work

Attitude and drive

We are looking for a curious, inventive, and hands-on scientist who enjoys bridging molecular biology, imaging, and image analysis. You should be independent yet collaborative, excited to build new tools and test ideas rigorously. A strong sense of initiative, precision, and perseverance in experimental work, combined with an open and constructive mindset, will be key to success in this position.

Preferred start date: Flexible (2026)

Application deadline: Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled.

We offer

• Full-time position (1 FTE) for one year, renewable up to four years
• Stimulating, international, and interdisciplinary environment within BIOCEV Center, a research center hosting over 50 research groups and state-of-the-art core facilities (imaging, genomics, proteomics, animal facility, etc.)
• Involvement in top-level scientific research infrastructure
• Competitive salary commensurate with experience and Czech Academy of Sciences standards
• 5 weeks of vacation
• Meal allowance

About the Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences

The Institute of Biotechnology of the Czech Academy of Sciences (IBT, ibt.cas.cz) is a top-class multi-disciplinary public research institution in the Czech Republic whose mission is to research biomolecular mechanisms, the understanding of which contributes to the development of new diagnostic and therapeutic procedures and the emergence of innovative biotechnologies. IBT is located in the BIOCEV center (biocev.eu) operated by the Czech Academy of Sciences and Charles University. IBT has 200 employees, three quarters of which work in research.

Location

IBT is located in the BIOCEV center in Vestec, Prague-west, 30 minutes from the city center by public transport.

How to apply

Send your application including:

• your CV, highlighting skills and experience most relevant to this position
• a motivation letter explaining why you are interested in this position, why you would be a great fit for our team, outlining your future research plans/vision and including contact details of two references

through our website: [Please click the Apply button for the link or address]. Other forms of your application will not be considered.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an online or on-site interview and asked to present their recent work and research direction.

For more information, please contact Aniruddha Mitra (aniruddha.mitra@ibt.cas.cz). We look forward to your application and to the possibility of working together to drive innovative research at IBT.

More details on the processing of personal data are available on the website: https://www.ibt.cas.cz/cs/o-ustavu/uredni-deska/gdpr/.

Tagged as: Life Sciences