Doctoral Student Recruitment (2 positions) – Funded by National Science Centre under SONATA BIS 15

Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences

Organisation/Company Institute of Physical Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences Department Team 15:
Molecular Innovation for Biomedical Interventions Research Field Chemistry » Applied chemistry Chemistry » Biochemistry Chemistry » Molecular chemistry Chemistry » Organic chemistry Chemistry » Physical chemistry Chemistry » Other Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions Master Positions Final date to receive applications 7 Aug 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Warsaw) Country Poland Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Other Job Status Extra Information Doctoral Student Offer Starting Date 1 Oct 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme?

Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

The Institute of Physical Chemistry (IChF) PAS invites applications for two PhD student position
within the newly established Department of Chemical Biology (DCB), created as part of the EUfunded project (Horizon Europe, ERA Chairs). Prof. Marcin Drąg, an internationally recognized expert
in chemical biology and in the combinatorial chemistry of proteolytic enzymes, serve as the Head of
the Department.
Within the DCB, 2 PhD positions are available in the research team 15:
Molecular innovations for
Biomedical Interventions
, lead by Dr. M. T. Jeena. Dr. M. T. Jeena’s research focus on the
development of chemical tools that operates within the live cells to address pressing biomedical
challenges such as cancer, neurodegeneration, and aging related disorders.
Under this call,
two doctoral position is offered within the research project “Development of
Molecular and Supramolecular Tools to Exploit Human Copper(I) Homeostasis for Cancer
Therapeutics.” This project involves the design, synthesis, material characterization and biochemical
analysis of innovative peptide and small molecules to exploit human copper (I) homeostasis. The
project is funded by National Science Centre under the SONATA BIS 15 scheme, project no.
2025/58/E/ST5/00495 in which Dr. M. T. Jeena is the principal investigator. For this Ph.D. position
Prof. Marcin Drąg will serve as supervisor, and Dr. M. T. Jeena will serve as auxiliary supervisor.
Doctoral student will have a unique opportunity to develop their research skills, gain experience
working on innovative projects, and actively participate in the research directions of DCB. The
research program involves close collaboration with other groups at IChF PAS, as well as the
opportunity to participate in projects conducted in partnership with academic and industrial
partners.

• Possessing a Master's degree in Chemistry or a related discipline.
• Good knowledge of English, both verbal and written.
• Knowledge of chemical synthetic techniques and willingness to learn and perform chemical biology experiments at the in vitro level.
• Strong motivation and commitment.
• Collaborative team spirit.

The candidate must meet at least one of the following criteria:

• (1) The candidate is a PhD student in the Warsaw PhD School in Natural and Bio Medical Sciences (Warsaw-4-PhD). (2) The candidate must apply for the next available recruitment period (i.e., July 2026) to the Warsaw PhD School in Natural and Bio Medical Sciences (Warsaw-4-PhD).

Languages ENGLISH Level Good

Research Field Chemistry » Biochemistry Chemistry » Organic chemistry

Chemistry » Combinatorial chemistry

Chemistry » Other Biological sciences » Other Medical sciences » Other Years of Research Experience 1 - 4

We offer:

• 1. A PhD student position with no teaching obligations.
• 2. The monthly gross remuneration:
  approx. PLN 6030 (PLN 5000 from NCN, and PLN 1030 from IChF) – till mid-term evaluation approx. PLN 7530 (PLN 6500 from NCN, and PLN 1030 from IChF) – after positive evaluation
• 3. An inspiring and supportive research environment at one of Poland’s leading scientific institutes.
• 4. Access to state-of-the-art infrastructure and a strong institutional commitment to international collaboration and research excellence.
• 5. Technical, administrative, and organizational support from professional English-speaking…