PhD and Postdoc Positions in Bacterial Translation Regulation and Cold Adaptation – Laboratory of Translatomics Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics Polish Academy of Sciences in Poland

The Laboratory of Translatomics at the Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics, Polish Academy of Sciences (IBB PAS), led by Principal Investigator Agata L Starosta, is recruiting for two PhD positions and one postdoctoral position funded by NCN grants. The group focuses on gene expression regulation at the translational level in bacteria, including soil-dwelling Bacillus subtilis, Myxococcus xanthus, and psychrophilic strains from Antarctica. Research integrates next-generation sequencing (NGS), ribosome profiling, high-resolution microscopy, genetics, molecular biology, and bioinformatics to study how mRNA translation is modulated by ribosomes and translation factors.

The PhD projects include: (1) Ribo-PAUSE, investigating how ribosomal pausing affects sporulation regulation in B. subtilis using confocal microscopy, NGS, polysome profiling, in vitro translation assays, and mass spectrometry; and (2) Ribo-ICE, focusing on protein biosynthesis in cold environments, characterizing translation machinery and translation in Antarctic bacteria using NGS, fluorescence microscopy, and optional cryo-electron microscopy.

The postdoctoral position (NCN SONATA: Ribo-PAUSE) will focus on translation regulation in bacteria. Applicants should have a PhD in biology, biotechnology, biochemistry, or a related field, with experience in bacterial work, nucleic acid isolation, plasmid preparation, recombinant protein expression, and purification. Microscopy experience is an asset. Proficiency in English is required. The employment period is from April/May 2026 to October 2028.

PhD candidates should be motivated to learn advanced molecular biology techniques and participate in collaborative research. The lab offers a dynamic environment with access to cutting-edge methods and interdisciplinary projects. Funding is provided by NCN grants, but specific stipend and tuition details are not listed. The application deadline is October 1, 2026. For more information or to apply, contact [email protected] or [email protected].