Post-doctoral researcher: Specialized tryptophan metabolism in the regulation of plant microbiome bacteria Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences in Poland

Postdoctoral research opportunity at the Institute of Bioorganic Chemistry, Polish Academy of Sciences, Poznań, Poland. The Department of Plant Functional Metabolomics is seeking a post-doctoral researcher for a full-time, temporary 48-month appointment beginning in October 2026. The project is led by Prof. Paweł Bednarek and focuses on specialized tryptophan metabolism in the regulation of plant microbiome bacteria.

The research aims to understand how tryptophan-derived specialized metabolites selectively control potentially pathogenic bacteria associated with the plant microbiome. Using Arabidopsis thaliana as a model system, the project will examine mutants impaired in different branches of tryptophan metabolism and transgenic lines producing native or non-native metabolites. The work combines plant molecular biology, metabolic engineering, and targeted and untargeted metabolomics using LC/UV and LC-MS/MS approaches. By comparing metabolic profiles of plants colonized by selected bacterial isolates, the project seeks to identify metabolites that restrict bacterial pathogenicity and to uncover mechanisms by which plants shape their microbiota.

The position is embedded in the NCN-funded OPUS 30 project no. 2025/59/B/NZ2/03241 titled “Specialized tryptophan metabolism in the control of potentially pathogenic bacteria in the plant microbiome.” The expected salary is approximately PLN 10,250 gross.

Applicants should hold a PhD or equivalent in biological, biochemical, biotechnological, chemical sciences, or a related discipline. Strong experience in either plant molecular biology/genetics or analytical biochemistry/metabolomics is required, with willingness to gain complementary skills across both areas. Useful experience includes work with Arabidopsis thaliana, plant specialized metabolism, plant-microbe interactions, CRISPR/Cas, LC-MS/MS, metabolomics data processing, and basic statistical analysis. Excellent English, scientific independence, motivation, communication, and teamwork skills are also emphasized.

Applications must be submitted through the eRecruiter portal by 30 September 2026. The recruitment process includes document screening and interview; selection criteria highlight scientific achievements, relevance of previous experience, and research-internship experience. The successful candidate is expected to contribute to experiments, data analysis, publications, supervision of students, presentations, and data management within the project.

This is an excellent opportunity for a researcher interested in plant biology, metabolomics, plant-microbe interactions, and specialized metabolism to join an internationally relevant research environment at the Polish Academy of Sciences in Poznań.