Job offer: Postdoctoral Researcher in the Laboratory of Biologically Active Compounds

The Laboratory of Biologically Active Compounds is looking for a postdoctoral researcher to join the team working on an interdisciplinary project at the interface of microbiology, cell biology and tissue regeneration research, led by Dr Marta Krychowiak-Maśnicka (NCN SONATA 21 no. 2025/59/D/NZ7/02324, entitled “Repurposing Quinonoid Drugs for Diabetic Wound Healing: Investigating Their Antibacterial and NRF2-Activating Potential with Silver”).

Employment details:

• Place of employment: University of Gdańsk.
• Full-time position for up to 36 months, with a 12-month probationary period.
• The gross monthly salary is ca. 9 300 PLN + 13th salary.
• Employment will start no earlier than 4 January 2027.

What is the project about?

Chronic diabetic wounds, especially foot ulcers, are a serious challenge for modern medicine. Their treatment is made difficult by impaired healing, recurrent infections and the growing resistance of bacteria to antibiotics. The search for new therapies that effectively fight infection while also supporting tissue regeneration is therefore of considerable clinical and social importance.

In the project, we will use a wide range of research methods. These include assessment of the antibacterial activity and cytotoxicity of the compounds, analysis of how chemical structure affects biological activity, advanced proteomic studies, studies on three-dimensional human skin models grown in the laboratory, and an infected wound model in mice with type 2 diabetes. This approach will allow us to determine how the chemical structure of quinones affects their interaction with silver, their antibacterial efficacy and their effects on skin cells. We will also investigate whether suitably selected combinations of quinones and silver can effectively fight infection while also promoting wound healing. The results will give a better understanding of how these compounds work and will provide a scientific basis for developing new uses of already known compounds in the treatment of infected diabetic wounds.

The project builds on research carried out in the Laboratory of Biologically Active Compounds and is based on a solid experimental foundation and promising preliminary results, which have been published in international scientific journals and have led to granted patents.

Who are we looking for?

We are looking for an independent and committed researcher with laboratory experience, particularly in cell and tissue culture and in microbiology. The person appointed will take an active part in the research at each stage of the project, carrying out a large part of the experiments independently and, for selected tasks, working with other team members and with experts from partner institutions.

What matters to us is not only knowledge of research methods but also the ability to think critically, to plan experiments independently and to look for solutions when difficulties arise. We value diligence, initiative, and a willingness to learn and to develop one’s own scientific skills.

What do we require from candidates?

• A PhD in biology, biotechnology, medical biology or a related field, obtained before the start of employment;
• Documented practical experience of working with cell and/or tissue cultures and with microorganisms;
• A high level of independence in planning, carrying out and analysing laboratory experiments;
• The ability to identify research problems, analyse results critically and actively seek solutions, including when unexpected experimental difficulties arise;
• Motivation for continuous scientific development and for broadening one’s skills;
• The ability to work in a team, good communication skills and a willingness to collaborate with researchers from different fields;
• A very good command of spoken and written English, allowing fluent scientific communication, review of the literature and preparation of scientific texts.

The following will be an advantage:

• Practical knowledge of molecular biology techniques, in particular RT-qPCR and Western blotting;
• Experience in proteomic analysis or in interpreting proteomic data;
• Experience of working with reconstructed human skin models or other three-dimensional tissue culture models;
• Experience of working with animal models;
• Experience in research on infection, antimicrobial compounds, oxidative stress, inflammation or tissue regeneration.

We do not expect candidates to be experts in all of the areas listed. We particularly value a solid experimental background, a willingness to learn new skills and the ability to turn research results into new questions and next steps.

What do we offer?

• Participation in a project with high potential for practical application, which addresses an important medical problem and focuses on developing new strategies for treating chronic wounds;
• Direct involvement of the Principal Investigator in the development of the research and the team. We care about the high scientific quality of the work, the efficient achievement of the project’s aims, and creating conditions that support the professional and scientific development of the project team;
• The opportunity to broaden your knowledge and experimental skills through collaboration with experts from two universities, the University of Gdańsk and the Jagiellonian University, in areas including molecular techniques, proteomics, reconstructed human skin models and research using animal models;
• Independence and a real influence on the course of the research. The postdoctoral researcher will be responsible for carrying out a substantial part of the experiments, analyzing the results and solving problems that arise during the project;
• Opportunities for scientific development by strengthening research skills, taking part in preparing publications and contributing to results that may form the basis for further work on new therapeutic approaches.

We are looking for someone who wants not only to carry out planned experiments but also to take an active part in the research process: to ask questions, interpret results, propose next steps and persistently work towards solving scientific problems.

If you would like to develop your skills in a project whose results may in future help to develop new treatments for chronic wounds, we warmly invite you to apply.

Formal requirements and required documents:

The recruitment process and employment conditions for this post-doc position will comply strictly with the Regulations on awarding funding for research tasks financed by the National Science Centre (NCN) under the SONATA 21 call. Candidates must meet all the formal eligibility criteria specified in the relevant NCN Council resolution.

• A PhD degree obtained in the year of employment in the project or within the 12 years before 1 January of the year of employment in the project. This period may be extended by the time spent during that period on long-term (over 90 days), documented sickness benefit or rehabilitation benefit due to incapacity for work. In addition, this period may be extended by the number of months spent on leave related to the care and upbringing of children, granted under the Polish Labor Code, or, in the case of women, by 18 months for each child born or adopted, if this way of accounting for career breaks is more favorable.
• A PhD degree obtained at an institution other than the University of Gdańsk, or a continuous and documented research placement of at least 9 months, completed during doctoral school, doctoral studies or after obtaining the PhD, at an institution other than the one carrying out the project and in a country other than the one in which the PhD was obtained.
• A detailed CV describing the candidate’s qualifications and experience;
• The application must include the following statement:
  Wyrażam zgodę na przetwarzanie moich danych osobowych dla potrzeb niezbędnych do realizacji procesu rekrutacji zgodnie z Rozporządzeniem Parlamentu Europejskiego i Rady (UE) 2016/679 z dnia 27 kwietnia 2016 r. w sprawie ochrony osób fizycznych w związku z przetwarzaniem danych osobowych i w sprawie swobodnego przepływu takich danych oraz uchylenia dyrektywy 95/46/WE (RODO).
  I hereby consent to the processing of my personal data for the recruitment process in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council 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).
• A document confirming the award of the PhD degree;
• A cover letter;
• The names of at least two people who can provide references for the candidate.

Deadline for applications: 22 November 2026.

Please send applications and enquiries to: marta.krychowiak@ug.edu.pl

KLAUZULA INFORMACYJNA:

Zgodnie z ogólnym rozporządzeniem o ochronie danych z dnia 27 kwietnia 2016 r. zwanym dalej RODO, informujemy, iż:
1. Administratorem Pani/Pana danych osobowych jest Uniwersytet Gdański z siedzibą w (80-309) Gdańsku przy ul. prof. Marii Janion 7.
2. Administrator danych osobowych powołał Inspektora Ochrony Danych, z którym można skontaktować się pod numerem telefonu (58) 523 31 30 lub adresem e-mail: iod@ug.edu.pl. Z Inspektorem Ochrony Danych można kontaktować się we wszystkich sprawach dotyczących przetwarzania danych osobowych oraz korzystania z praw związanych z ich przetwarzaniem.
3. Pani/Pana dane osobowe przetwarzane będą w celu i zakresie niezbędnym do wykonywania praw i obowiązków wynikających ze stosunku pracy i przyjętych w Uczelni regulacji wewnętrznych.
4. Podstawą prawną do przetwarzania Pani/Pana danych osobowych jest art. 6 ust. 1 lit. c RODO – przetwarzanie jest niezbędne do wypełnienia obowiązku prawnego ciążącego na administratorze wynikającego, w szczególności z ustawy - Kodeks Pracy,  ustawy prawo o szkolnictwie wyższym oraz innych przepisów regulujących kwestie związane z zatrudnieniem i realizacją obowiązków z niego wynikających. Przesłanką legalizującą proces przetwarzania danych jest również art. 6 ust. 1 lit. b RODO – przetwarzanie jest niezbędne do wykonania umowy, której stroną jest osoba, której dane dotyczą.
5. Podanie przez Panią/ Pana danych osobowych jest wymogiem ustawowym określonym w art. 221 ustawy - Kodeks Pracy warunkującym możliwość wykonywania praw i obowiązków wynikających ze stosunku pracy.
6. Pani/Pana dane osobowe będą przetwarzane w imieniu administratora danych przez upoważnionych pracowników  wyłącznie w celach, o których mowa w ust. 3.
7. Pani/ Pana dane osobowe będą przechowywane przez okres niezbędny dla realizacji celów określonych w ust. 3, z uwzględnieniem wymogów określonych w przepisach ustawy o narodowym zasobie archiwalnym i archiwach tj. przez okres 10 lat.
8. Odbiorcą Państwa danych może być podmiot działający na zlecenie administratora, tj. podmiot świadczący usługi IT w zakresie serwisowania i utrzymania pracy systemu informatycznego.
9. Na zasadach określonych przepisami RODO przysługuje Pani/Panu:
a. prawo dostępu do treści swoich danych,
b. prawo do ich sprostowania, gdy są niezgodne ze stanem rzeczywistym,
c. prawo do ich usunięcia, ograniczenia przetwarzania, a także przenoszenia danych – w przypadkach przewidzianych prawem,
d. prawo do wniesienia sprzeciwu wobec przetwarzania danych,
e. prawo do wniesienia skargi do organu nadzorczego – Prezesa Urzędu Ochrony Danych Osobowych, gdy uzna Pani/Pan, że przetwarzanie Pani/Pana danych osobowych narusza przepisy o ochronie danych osobowych.

INFORMATION CLAUSE:

In accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation of 27 April 2016, hereinafter referred to as the GDPR, please be informed that:
1. The controller of your personal data is the University of Gdańsk with its registered office in (80-309) Gdańsk at ul. Jana Bażyńskiego 8.
2. The Personal Data Controller has appointed a Data Protection Officer, who can be contacted at (58) 523 31 30 or by email at: iod@ug.edu.pl.  You can contact the data protection officer in all matters regarding the processing of personal data and the use of data processing rights.
3. Your personal data will be processed for the purpose and scope necessary to exercise the rights and obligations arising from the employment relationship and internal regulations adopted at the University.
4. The legal basis for your personal data processing is Article 6 item 1(c) GDPR – processing is necessary to fulfil the legal obligation incumbent on the administrator resulting, in particular from the Labour Code, the Law on Higher Education and other provisions regulating issues related to employment and the implementation of obligations arising from it. The prerequisite for legalising the data processing process is also Article  6 item 1(b) GDPR – processing is necessary for the performance of a contract to which the data subject is a party.
5. Providing personal data by you is a statutory requirement specified in Article 221 of the Labour Code conditioning the possibility of exercising rights and obligations arising from the employment.
6. Your personal data will be processed on behalf of the data controller by authorised employees only for the purposes referred to in item 3.
7. Your personal data will be kept for the period necessary to achieve the purposes set out in item 3, taking into account the requirements set out in the provisions of the Act on National Archival Resources and Archives, i.e. for a period of 10 years.
8. The recipient of your data may be an entity acting on behalf of the controller, i.e. an entity providing IT services in the field of servicing and maintaining the operation of the IT system.
9. On the terms set out in the provisions of the GDPR, you are entitled to:
a. the right to access your personal data,
b. the right to rectify your personal data if it is inconsistent with the actual state,
c. the right to delete, limit processing, as well as transfer data – in cases provided for by law,
d. the right to object against data processing
e. the right to lodge a complaint with the supervisory authority – the President of the Office for Personal Data Protection, when you consider that the processing of your personal data violates the provisions on the protection of personal data.