Tomasz Bajda

The Faculty of Biology at the University of Warsaw is recruiting for an Assistant Professor (post-doc) position within the OPUS 28 project on (bio)functionalized mineral and organic adsorbent-based floating islands for passive treatment of pharmaceuticals in urban water reservoirs. The project is interdisciplinary and combines environmental microbiology , microbial biodegradation , metataxonomics , metagenomics , transcriptomics , bioengineering , geomicrobiology , materials science , and ecotoxicology . The University of Warsaw team will investigate environmental bacterial strains capable of degrading selected pharmaceuticals, characterize their phenotypes and genomes, and study transcriptomic responses to contaminants and environmental stress. Additional work will track introduced bacteria and microbial community shifts, assess biosafety risks, and evaluate effects on non-target organisms. The role is hosted in the Institute of Bioengineering, Laboratory of Applied Microbial Ecology . The project is led by dr Przemysław Decewicz at the University of Warsaw, in collaboration with prof. dr hab. Tomasz Bajda at AGH University. Funding is provided by the National Science Centre . This is a full-time, temporary postdoctoral appointment for 24 months , starting 1 January 2027 . The basic remuneration is PLN 140,000 gross per year according to NCN OPUS 28 regulations. Applicants must hold a PhD or equivalent in biological sciences, biotechnology, materials science, geology, chemistry, or a related field, earned before the deadline. The post calls for strong publication achievements, international experience, and a research plan. Practical expertise in laboratory work with microorganisms is essential, along with experience in one or more of the following: environmental microbiology, microbial isolation and cultivation, omics analyses, microscopy, cell-based assays, ecotoxicology, or characterization of mineral/organic/biofunctionalized materials and microbe-material interactions. Preferred experience includes biodegradation of organic micropollutants, biosafety assessment of environmental microorganisms, microscopy of biofilms or porous materials, cell culture toxicity testing, and integration of microbiological, microscopic, omics, and ecotoxicological data. The successful candidate should be able to work independently, collaborate in an interdisciplinary team, mentor students, coordinate laboratory work, and assist with project administration. Applications must be submitted by 6 November 2026, 23:58 (Europe/Warsaw) . Send the required documents by email to [email protected] and [email protected] . The application should include the personal questionnaire available on the Faculty website and a motivation letter describing scientific interests and a research activity plan.