Postdoc (Adjunct) in the Laboratory of Molecular Basis of Synaptic Plasticity

Field: life sciences

Results of the competition:

As a result of the conducted competition, the competition committee has recommended Bożena Kuźniewska, PhD, for the position of postdoc (adjunct) in the project. 



Description:

Director of Centre of New Technologies of the University of Warsaw, with the approval from the Rector of the University of Warsaw, announces opening of the position of Postdoc (Adjunct)in the group of researchers in the Laboratory of Molecular Basis of Synaptic Plasticity – Centre of New Technologies of the University of Warsaw.

Position in the project: Postdoc (Adjunct)

Laboratory: Laboratory of Molecular Basis of Synaptic Plasticity

Scientific discipline: Life sciences

Keywords: neurons, polyadenylation, local translation, LTP, TENT5, TENT2(GLD2), direct RNA sequencing

Job type: Employment contract, full-time

Number of job offers: 1

Remuneration amount/month 10 000 PLN gross gross (approx. 6 000 – 7 000 PLN net)

Position starts on: 10.09.2020 or as soon as possible afterwards

Maximum period of contract/stipend agreement: 30 months, with the possibility of extension up to 36 months

Institution: Centre of New Technologies, University of Warsaw UW

Project coordinator: Dr hab. Magdalena Dziembowska

Project title: The impact of cytoplasmic polyadenylation on local translation in neurons

Competition type; GRIEG

Financing institution: NCN

Project description: Neurons communicate with each other through synapses, specialized contact sites that enable electrical impulses to be transmitted between cells. Synapses are small, but partly independent compartments of the neuron because they contain the molecular machinery indispensable for protein synthesis. This process of protein production on the basis of mRNAs transported to distant synapses from the cell body is called “local translation”. Local protein synthesis is essential for the proper functioning of the synapse, and its dysregulation is the cause of severe neurodevelopmental disorders. In recent years, thanks to the development of new technologies, we have learned more about these essential processes taking place in synapses. However, the precise molecular mechanisms by which synaptic translation is regulated is still far from being understood. The ends of mRNA molecules are specifically modified in order to enhance their stability and ability to serve as a template for proteins synthesis at ribosomes: at the beginning, they contain so-called cap structure, while at the end, there is a poly(A) tail. The poly(A) tail is a homopolymeric tract of adenosine nucleotides added by specific enzymes. Nearly all mRNAs in the cell are polyadenylated in the nucleus right after being transcribed from DNA and before the transport to the cytoplasm. However, there is growing evidence that the process of polyadenylation can also take place in the cytoplasm and is therefore called cytoplasmic polyadenylation. In neurons, cytoplasmic polyadenylation of synaptic mRNAs plays a significant role in the regulation of protein synthesis. However, until now it was studied only for a few mRNAs, and the global impact of this phenomenon and the specific enzymes carrying out the reactions are unknown. We aim to answer these questions in the proposed project. The project will be implemented in collaboration with Prof. Clive Bramham from University of Bergen and Prof. Andrzej Dziembowski from IIMCB in Warsaw.

Key responsibilities include:
Postdoc employed for the project will be responsible for the design and execution of the experiments – isolation of RNA from synaptoneurosomes for nanopore sequencing and all experiments planed on neuronal cultures. He/she will also participate in data analysis and writing of manuscripts.

Profile of candidates/requirements:
The competition is open to persons who meet the conditions specified in:
– Act of 20 July 2018 Law on higher education and science (Journal of Laws of 2020, item 85, as amended) and the Statutes of the University of Warsaw;
– Regulations on the allocation of resources for the implementation of tasks financed by the National Centre of Science for GRIEG grant;

Required qualifications:
-PolLASA certificate for persons conducting and planning experiments and experience writing animal protocols
-expert knowledge of molecular biology techniques, RNA and protein isolation, qRT-PCR, SDS-PAGE, light and confocal microscopy
– minimum 5 years of practical, documented experience in independent work with laboratory mice
-experience in primary neuronal cell culture

The candidate should hold a PhD degree (molecular neurobiology, biochemistry or similar) for no longer than 7 years before the date of signing an employment agreement in the project.
The PhD degree should be obtained in a country of the EU, EFTA, OECD or nostrified on the date of employment at the latest.

Enquiries related to the position may be sent to: m.dziembowska@cent.uw.edu.pl

Required documents:
1. Cover letter
2. Current curriculum vitae
3. Copy of PhD certificateor another document confirming that the Candidate will obtain the PhD degree on the day of employment in the project at the latest
4. Two letters of recommendation from a scientist who is familiar with the Candidate (submitted directly to email address below)
5. Information on scientific publications, scholarships, prizes and awards, or other relevant documents demonstrating the excellence of Candidate and his/hers qualifications for the project
6. Signed information on the processing of personal data – the form is available at the University of Warsaw webpage: http://bsp.adm.uw.edu.pl/bsp/druki-i-formularze
7. Signed Declaration confirming that the candidate has read and accepted the rules of conducting competitions, covered in the following documents: Order of the Rector of UW No. 106 Par. 119, 122 of the UW Statutes Resolution No. 443 of 26 June 2019

We offer:
Interesting work in a young, dynamic team. Access to state-of-the-art equipment and an opportunity to participate in an innovative, international project implemented in collaboration with the University of Bergen (Norway).

Please submit the following documents to: careers@cent.uw.edu.pl, with the e-mail title ’CeNT-43-2020’

Application deadline: 30.08.2020

Date of announcing the results: No sooner than 04.09.2020

Method of notification about the results: e-mail

Information about the competition is also available on the website of the University of Warsaw

The competition is the first stage of the recruitment procedure for the position of academic teacher specified in the Statutes of the University of Warsaw, and its positive result is the basis for further proceedings. Following an initial screening of the applications, selected candidates will be contacted by e-mail for further recruitment steps.



Deadline: 30/08/2020

Tags: neurons, polyadenylation, local translation, LTP, TENT5, TENT2(GLD2), direct RNA sequencing