We are inviting applications for a PhD student in the area of innate immunity and host-pathogen interactions to join the Laboratory of Intracellular Immunity at the Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics Polish Academy of Sciences in Warsaw.

In the Laboratory we endeavour to understand intracellular mechanisms of anti-microbial immunity. You will be offered the opportunity to participate in cutting edge research programme aiming to understand the molecular details of how cell-autonomous and cytokine-enhanced immunity protects interior of the host cell against bacterial and fungal invasion, and how pathogens evade the intracellular immune system. The aim of this project is to investigate interferon-inducible, anti-bacterial signalling platforms operating in the host cell cytosol, by a combination of cell and molecular biology methods and advanced biochemical assays.

We are seeking an open-minded, independent and highly motivated PhD student who will endeavour to drive a deeper understanding of how core immunological processes are regulated in favour of the host, or pathogen, and how these new mechanisms might be harnessed to treat diverse diseases. You will employ state-of-the-art screening approaches to identify host restriction factors required for defence against pathogenic microorganisms. Using a combination of molecular biology, cell biology, genetics, proteomics, biochemistry and microbiology, you will determine the specific mechanism of action of novel immunity factors, understand their effector functions, downstream signalling and pro-inflammatory potential. Candidates with interests in mammalian mechanisms of pathogen recognition and/or microbial pathogenesis are encouraged to apply. Under appropriate supervision the candidate will be able to influence the direction of the project depending on their abilities and potential, and will be expected to manifest an increasing degree of intellectual independence throughout the project.

Our primary experimental models are mammalian cells infected with pathogens in a safe environment of modern BSL2 cell culture laboratory. We have extensive experience in cell manipulation (e.g., transfection, retroviral/lentiviral transduction, RNAi gene silencing, and CRISPR/Cas9 technology). Amongst many techniques, we routinely use standard techniques of molecular biology (e.g. cloning and mutagenesis of DNA, large scale recombinant protein expression and purification from bacterial systems, Western blotting), and cell biology of infection (e.g. fluorescent microscopy).

The laboratory is led by Dr Michal Wandel (ORCID iD: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5275-5881), who for the previous 12 years carried out research in Cambridge, UK at the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology and University of Cambridge. The laboratory implements the scientific culture and research practices established in those world-leading institutes, is integrated into the EMBO Young Investigator Network (offering networking and development opportunities), and well-funded by NAWA, NCN (Polish science foundations) and EMBO. We strive for gender and diversity equality and welcome applications from all backgrounds. Informal enquires are welcome to Dr Michal Wandel mwandel@ibb.waw.pl (please send your CV including the list of publications with a short description of your key achievements, conducted research projects and used methodology).

Deadline to apply: 19th June 2022