Development of therapeutic strategies for human genetic diseases caused by nucleotide repeat expansions.

Offer Description

VICE-RECTOR in Charge of the School of Natural Sciences / for Finance and Research Projects at the Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań announces a competition for 2 positions of: 

Researcher Assistant

at the Center for Development of Gene Therapies TREAT-EXP

in the project FENG.02.01-IP.05-M038/25, TREAT-EXP: Development of therapeutic strategies for human genetic diseases caused by nucleotide repeat expansions.

The FENG.02.01-IP.05-M038/25 project is carried out within the 2.1 MAB FENG call 2/2025  programme of the Foundation for Polish Science co-financed by the European Union under the European Funds for Smart Economy 2021-2027 (FENG).

We are seeking a Research assistant to join the research group of dr. hab. Michał Gdula to work on leveraging epigenetics to improve the effectiveness of genetic therapies for diseases caused by nucleotide repeat expansions (including myotonic dystrophies), within the framework of the International Research Agenda (MAB) FENG grant funded by the Foundation for Polish Science (FNP). Work should aim at writing and defending a doctoral dissertation.

Dr. hab. Michał Gdula’s group is one of four teams participating in the TREAT-EXP project, led by Prof. Krzysztof Sobczak and funded by FNP with PLN 30 million over four years. The overarching goal of TREAT-EXP is to build a research platform to develop therapeutic strategies and identify active compounds targeting pathogenic products of mutated genes—either toxic RNA or toxic proteins—responsible for DM, FXPAC, and ALS.

The goal of Michał Gdula’s team is to increase the efficacy of therapies for DM1 and DM2 by modulating epigenetic regulation using modified antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs). DM1 is caused by a CTG expansion in the 3′UTR of the DMPK gene, while DM2 results from a CCTG expansion in an intron of the CNBP gene; the resulting toxic repeat-expanded RNA forms nuclear foci and sequesters MBNL proteins, leading to widespread alternative splicing defects and multiple multisystem symptoms.

The Researcher assistant’s tasks will include characterizing the epigenetic landscape of DM-associated genes and mapping their regulatory elements in cellular models using genomic methods (e.g., ATAC-seq, CUT&RUN, Capture-C, Micro-C). Next, in collaboration with—and drawing on the expertise of—Prof. Sobczak’s group, ASOs will be designed to target selected regulatory elements in order to reduce DMPK/CNBP expression or increase the expression of MBNL genes.

A brief project description can be found at: https://ibmib.web.amu.edu.pl/mab-feng-grant/

We offer a position in a well-funded, interdisciplinary environment at the Center for Development of Gene Therapies (Adam Mickiewicz University), located in the modern Center for Advanced Technologies building. Informal inquiries welcome: michal.gdula@amu.edu.pl

Anticipated job starting date: May 20th, 2026

Fixed-term contract for 12 months, with the possibility of extension to 42 months

Monthly salary: PLN 8 470 gross

Requirements

Research FieldBiological sciencesEducation LevelMaster Degree or equivalent

Skills/Qualifications

The competition is open to individuals who meet the requirements specified in Article 113 of the Law on Higher Education and Science of 20 July 2018 (Journal of Laws of 2024, item 1571, Article 113 as amended) and who meet the following requirement:

MSc in biological, chemical, medical, or related sciences Higher Education and Science of 20 July 2018 (Journal of Laws of 2024, item 1571, Article 113 as amended) and who meet the following requirement: MSc in biological, chemical, medical, or related sciences.

Essential requirements:

• MSc in molecular biology/genetics or a related scientific discipline obtained before start of the project.
• very good skills in standard molecular biology and biochemistry techniques
• experience in genomic experiments (RNA-seq, ChIP-seq, WGBS and/or similar)
• demonstrated ability for independent thinking and project management skills
• high level of communication and interpersonal skills
• conducting research aimed at writing and defending a doctoral dissertation

Desirable requirements:

• expierience in working with chromatin, in particular with „chromatin conformation capture” methods
• experience in bioinformatics
• microscopy and image analysis
• publications

LanguagesENGLISHLevelGood

Research FieldBiological sciences

Additional Information

Benefits

• an atmosphere of respect and cooperation;
• supporting employees with disabilities;
• flexible working hours;
• funding for language learning;
• co-financing of training and courses;
• additional days off for education;
• life insurance;
• pension plan;
• savings and investment fund;
• preferential loans;
• additional social benefits;
• leisure-time funding;
• subsidizing children’s vacations;
• “13th” salary;
• healthcare package

Eligibility criteria

1. Research experience and its relevance to the thematic scope of the research area specified in the call requirements (0–20 points);
2. Participation in research internships, scientific workshops, and conferences (0–10 points);
3. Scientific activity during studies, including involvement in the implementation of research projects (0–10 points).

A total of 0–40 points can be awarded.

Selection process

1. Competition committee begins working no later than 14 days after the deadline for submission of documents.
2. Formal evaluation of submitted proposals.
3. Call to provide additional or missing documents if necessary.
4. Selection of candidates for the interview stage.
5. Interviews for candidates who meet the formal requirements.

The chair of the competition committee announces the results and informs the candidates. This information will include justification with a reference to candidates’ strengths and weaknesses

Additional comments

The hired person:

• will be able to develop skills and build experience in epigenetics, chromatin research, gene therapy aproaches through intensive interactions with researchers from all collaborating project groups

• will expand their scientific record through publications and presentations at scientific conferences

• will work in a dynamic scientific center and participate in workshops and scientific conferences, which will allow them to expand their professional network

Reguired documents

• Application form/letter of the candidate addressed to the Vice-Rector announcing the competition;
• Curriculum Vitae;
• Doctoral diploma or certificates issued by colleges and universities attesting to education and degrees or titles held (in case of academic degrees obtained abroad – the documents must meet the equivalence criteria set out in Article 328 of the Act of 20 July 2018 Law on Higher Education and Science (Journal of Laws of 2023, item 742 Polish:  Dziennik Ustaw 2024 poz. 1571 t.j.);
• information on the Applicant’s research and organizational achievements, including lists of:

  – publications,

  – research projects participation,

  – trainings and workshops participation.

  – conferences and seminars participation

– contact details of two referring scientist

Consent to the processing of personal data as follows: In accordance with Article 6 (1) (a) of the General Data Protection Regulation of 27 April 2016. (OJ EU L 119/1 of 4 May 2016) I consent to the processing of personal data other than: first name, (first names) and surname; parents’ first names; date of birth; place of residence (mailing address); education; previous employment history, included in my job offer for the purpose of the current recruitment.”

Documents should be sent electronically as one pdf file to: michal.gdula@amu.edu.pl by 15th April, 2026. In the email subject line, please enter “Recruitment Assistant MG”. Informal inquiries welcome.

RODO Information Clause

Pursuant to Article 13 of the General Data Protection Regulation of 27 April 2016. (Official Journal of the EU L 119 of 04.05.2016) we inform that:

1. The controller of your personal data is Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań with the official seat: ul. Henryka Wieniawskiego 1, 61 – 712 Poznań.
2. The personal data controller has appointed a Data Protection Officer overseeing the correctness of the processing of personal data, who can be contacted via e-mail: iod@amu.edu.pl.
3. The purpose of processing your personal data is to carry out the recruitment process for the indicated job position.
4. The legal basis for the processing of your personal data is Article 6(1)(a) of the General Data Protection Regulation of 27 April 2016 and the Labour Code of 26 June 1974. (Journal of Laws of 1998 N21, item 94 as amended).
5. Your personal data will be stored for a period of 6 months from the end of the recruitment process.
6. Your personal data will not be made available to other entities, with the exception of entities authorized by law. Access to your data will be given to persons authorized by the Controller to process them in the performance of their duties.
7. You have the right to access your data and, subject to the law, the right to rectification, erasure, restriction of processing, the right to data portability, the right to object to processing, the right to withdraw consent at any time.
8. You have the right to lodge a complaint to the supervisory authority – the Chairman of the Office for Personal Data Protection, ul.Stawki 2, 00 – 193 Warsaw.
9. Providing personal data is mandatory under the law, otherwise it is voluntary.
10. Your personal data will not be processed by automated means and will not be subject to profiling.

Recruitment: Positions and Competitions for Academic Teachers: Information on the internal reporting procedure referred to in the Act of 14 June 2024 on the Protection of Whistleblowers (Journal of Laws, item 928), announced by Regulation No. 5/2023/2024 of the Rector of Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań of 17 September 2024 concerning the introduction of the Internal Reporting Regulations regarding the breach of law and follow-up actions at Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań. Below are links to the regulation together with its annexes:

Ordinance No. 5/2023/2024

Rules for submissions

Information clause