Assistant professor (post-doc researcher)

InLife Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, invites applications for the position of:

NCN OPUS 26 Project: „Blood circulating small non-coding RNAs (c-sncRNAs) as non-lethal biomarkers of reproductive status and gamete quality in pikeperch” (Acronym: sAnDeRNA)

Principal Investigator: Joanna Nynca, PhD, DSc,

Place of work: InLife Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research, Polish Academy of Sciences, Reproduction and Development in Fish

Address: ul. Trylińskiego 18, 10-683 Olsztyn

Project description:

The sAnDeRNA project focuses on the characterisation of blood-circulating small non-coding RNAs (c-sncRNAs) in pikeperch (Sander lucioperca) and on evaluating their potential as non-lethal biomarkers of reproductive status and gamete quality. The research covers two consecutive reproductive cycles – the first in virgin fish and the subsequent cycle in reproductively experienced fish – in both females and males. The project also includes the development of a multi-tissue sncRNA and mRNA atlas, analysis of the expression of sncRNA target genes within the reproductive axis, and identification of c-sncRNAs associated with egg and sperm quality.

Position description:

The successful candidate will participate in molecular research, data analysis, and interpretation of results generated within the sAnDeRNA project. The main responsibilities will include:

Participation in the controlled reproduction of pikeperch, including broodstock preparation and handling, gamete collection, in vitro fertilisation, and larval rearing;
Assessment of gamete quality and reproductive outcomes;
Collection, preparation, and preservation of biological material for molecular analyses;
Performance of molecular analyses, particularly RNA isolation and quality assessment, and validation of the expression of selected RNAs/genes;
Analysis and interpretation of transcriptomic data and integration of molecular and zootechnical data;
Statistical and bioinformatic analysis of data and identification of potential biomarkers associated with reproduction and gamete quality;
Preparation and dissemination of research results, including scientific publications, conference presentations, and other materials presenting the project findings.

Required qualifications and candidate experience

PhD degree in biological sciences or a related discipline. At the time the employment contract is signed, the degree must have been awarded in the year of employment in the project (2026) or within the 7 years preceding the year in which employment in the project begins (i.e. no earlier than 1 January 2019). For candidates who have obtained more than one doctoral degree, the date of the first doctoral degree is used as the reference date. This period may be extended by the duration of documented long-term (more than 90 days) sickness benefits or rehabilitation benefits received due to incapacity for work. In addition, this period may be extended by the number of months of leave related to childcare and child-rearing granted under the rules set out in the Labour Code; in the case of women, it may alternatively be extended by 18 months for each child born or adopted, if this method of accounting for career breaks is more favourable;
Experience in molecular biology, particularly in working with RNA;
Knowledge of RNA isolation methods and gene expression analysis, including RT-qPCR;
Ability to independently analyse and interpret biological data;
Scientific track record documented by publications in journals indexed in Web of Science;
Good command of English, enabling fluent communication and preparation of scientific publications;
Ability to work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team.

Additional assets:

Experience in the analysis of transcriptomic data;
Knowledge of the R environment;
Experience working with fish.

We offer:

Work in an international, interdisciplinary research team;
Access to advanced research infrastructure;
Opportunities for professional development and participation in scientific conferences and publications;
Salary in accordance with NCN guidelines for a Postdoctoral Researcher position (approximately PLN 9,500 – 9,700 gross per month).

Employment contract for 20 months, with the possibility of extension to 24 months. Expected starting date: to be agreed.

Required documents:

Curriculum Vitae (CV) including: contact details, education history, details of the doctoral dissertation (title, name of supervisor, degree-awarding institution, date of diploma issuance), scientific achievements (research papers, conference presentations, book chapters, monographs, books, etc.), awards and other achievements (scholarships, research stays, training courses, participation in research projects, etc.).
Cover letter;
Copy of the doctoral diploma (or equivalent);
Contact details of at least two referees who can confirm the candidate’s qualifications, experience and skills;
Other documents that may be relevant to the evaluation of the application.

Deadline and application procedure:

Please send the application documents by 12 October 2026 to: rekrutacja@pan.olsztyn.pl, with „Postdoctoral Researcher in ZRiRR Group” in the subject line.

Please include the following consent clause in your CV or in the body of the email, authorising us to process your personal data as part of the recruitment process:

„Pursuant to Article 6(1)(a) and Article 9(2)(a) of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council (EU) 2016/679 of 27 April 2016 on the protection of natural persons with regard to the processing of personal data and on the free movement of such data, and repealing Directive 95/46/EC (General Data Protection Regulation – GDPR), in conjunction with Articles 221a and 221b of the Act of 26 June 1974 – the Labour Code, I consent to the processing of the personal data contained in the application documents submitted by the data controller (the employer) for purposes related to recruitment”

and

„At the same time, I voluntarily consent to the publication of my personal data specifically my first name and surname, in the recruitment results for the position to which I am applying”.

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Information on the processing of personal data

Who is the data controller for your personal data?

InLife Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences,
ul. Trylińskiego 18, 10-683 Olsztyn,
NIP 739-05-04-515, REGON 001289340,
tel. +48 89 500 32 00,
email: instytut@pan.olsztyn.pl

Who acts as the Data Protection Officer?

Tomasz Trzciałkowski
iodo@pan.olsztyn.pl

For what purpose does the data controller process personal data, and what is the legal basis for such processing?

A job applicant’s personal data – to the extent specified in labour law – will be processed for the purpose of conducting the current recruitment process (Article 6(1)(c) of the GDPR), whilst other data falling outside this scope will be processed on the basis of consent (Article 6(1)(a) of the GDPR), which may be withdrawn at any time.

The legal basis for data processing is labour law: Articles 22[1] and 22[1a] of the Act of 26 June 1974 – the Labour Code.

What are the legitimate interests pursued by the controller or by a third party?

In the context of recruitment, there is no legitimate interest on the part of the controller.

Are there any recipients of personal data? What are the categories of recipients?

The recipients of candidates’ personal data will be entities authorised by law or processors acting on behalf of the data controller under a contract, including, amongst others: law firms and companies providing legal advisory services, as well as entities providing IT services to the data controller.

Does the data controller transfer personal data to a third country or an international organisation?

No. The data controller processes personal data solely within the EEA.

For how long will personal data be stored?

The candidate’s personal data collected during the current recruitment process will be stored until the end of the recruitment process and then deleted, unless the candidate is appointed.

What rights do you have under the GDPR?

You have the following rights:

the right of access to your data;
the right to rectification (correction) of your personal data;
the right to restriction of processing of personal data;
the right to erasure of personal data (in respect of data processed on the basis of consent);
the right to lodge a complaint with the President of the Personal Data Protection Office (UODO) (in the form and in accordance with the rules set out on the Office’s website at: https://uodo.gov.pl/)
the right to data portability (in respect of data processed on the basis of consent).

Do you have the right to withdraw your consent to the processing of your data?

Yes. Consent given voluntarily may be withdrawn at any time without affecting the lawfulness of the processing carried out on the basis of that consent prior to its withdrawal.

Where can you lodge a complaint?

If you consider that the data controller is not complying with the provisions of the GDPR, you may lodge a complaint with the supervisory authority. In Poland, this is the President of the Office for Personal Data Protection. Detailed information on the procedure and method for lodging a complaint can be found on the Office for Personal Data Protection’s website (https://uodo.gov.pl/) and at the Data Protection Officer’s contact point.

Is the provision of personal data a statutory or contractual requirement, or a condition for entering into a contract, and are you obliged to provide it, and what are the possible consequences of not providing the data?

The provision of your personal data to the extent specified in Article 22[1] of the Labour Code is necessary in order to participate in the recruitment process. Refusal to provide such data will result in you being unable to take part in the recruitment process. The provision of any other data is voluntary.

Is personal data used for automated decision-making or profiling?

Personal data is not subject to profiling nor is it used for automated decision-making.