Project titled: pt. „Effect of embryonic signals on methylome of the porcine endometrium as a novel mechanism contributing to pregnancy establishment” (NCN OPUS 24 project)

PhD. supervisor/PI project: Prof. Agnieszka Wacławik

Early pregnancy in mammals is a critical period with high mortality rate of embryos. Developing embryos signal their presence to the maternal organism by secretions of various factors and molecules which are recognized among others in uterine endometrium. Primary porcine embryonic signal is estradiol.

Aim of the project is to determine the complex changes in the porcine endometrial methylome during early pregnancy and these evoked by estradiol action and finding the answer whether these changes may affect the expression of particular genes. Because endometrium is a complex tissue, some changes could be characteristic only for specific type of cells. Thus, in our approach we are going to determine spatial and temporal profiles of porcine endometrial methylome during early pregnancy and in response to estradiol treatment in vitro and in vivo. To reach our goal we are going to use ex vivo approach together with advanced in vitro models and also innovative in vivo model in which the estradiol was administered locally into uterine lumen to mimic conceptus signaling. The next aim of proposed project is to determine the effect of DNA methylation on endometrial gene expression, endometrial secretory function, proliferation and migration of endometrial cells.

During the 4-year-long, fully funded scholarship PhD student will be expected to perform research, laboratory analysis, write scientific articles, present the results during the international scientific conferences and – consequently – defend her/his PhD thesis at the Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of Polish Academy of Sciences. High-level mentoring, detailed research agenda as well as full financial support for the research planned will be ensured to PhD candidate. Appropriate training on epigenetics, transcriptomics, and molecular analysis will be provided with the use of high-end, modern research infrastructure.

Requirements for the candidate:

  1. Master thesis accomplishment – life science degree (biology, biotechnology, animal husbandry) or other related to the discipline of animal science;
  2. Knowledge in the field of reproductive biology and animal physiology;
  3. Knowledge in basic molecular biology methods (e.g. Real-Time PCR, Western blot) and/or cell culture methods, microscopic techniques as well as in statistical analyses;
  4. Availability and willingness for gathering of the animal material for experiments; ability to work with animals;
  5. Good command of English enabling communication, independent manuscript preparation and presentation at international conferences;
  6. High motivation for scientific work, good analytical and work organization skills, both individual and team work skills, and excellent accuracy and attention to detail.  Ability to perform lab work, independently plan and execute experiments and willingness to constantly deepen your knowledge based on the literature in the field.

Highly appreciated:

  • Previous experience in using methods for studying epigenetic mechanisms,
  • Previous experience in performing experiments on reproductive tract tissues of domestic animals and/or culture of cell lines in vitro.

Conditions:

  1. Position: PhD student at the Interdisciplinary Doctoral School of Agricultural Sciences,
  2. PhD scholarship: 5000 PLN gross salary (~3800 PLN net salary) per month,
  3. Maximum scholarship duration: 4 years,
  4. Start of position: October 1st 2023 (beginning of the academic year 2023/2024 at the doctoral school),
  5. Location:
    Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of Polish Academy of Sciences in Olsztyn (Poland), Department of Hormonal Action Mechanisms,
  6. Participation in international collaboration,
  7. Work environment: scientific group focused on ambitious aims in supportive atmosphere.

https://twitter.com/AgnieszkaWacla3
https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Agnieszka-Waclawik

Required documents:

  1. Scientific CV  including information on: (1) education, (2) scientific records; publications, conference abstracts, etc..; (3) scientific achievements, such as awards, scholarships, workshop attendance and involvement in research projects (4) knowledge of methods and laboratory skills;
  2. Motivation letter;
  3. Master and Bachelor Thesis Certificates with information about final marks and study plan;
  4. Recommendation letter by mentor/master’s thesis supervisor with confirmation of skills useful for scientific career;
  5. The abstract of MSc thesis.
  6. Other documents that, according to the rules of Doctoral School.

Applications should be sent to prof. Agnieszka Waclawik e-mail: a.waclawik@pan.olsztyn.pl until 3rd Sept 2023. Contact and additional information: a.waclawik@pan.olsztyn.pl.

Only selected candidates will be invited for on-line interview.

In your CV, please include a consent clause for the processing of personal data in the recruitment process:

„I consent to the processing of my personal data contained in the application documents by the Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Olsztyn, 10-748 Olsztyn, ul. Tuwima 10, in order to carry out the recruitment process and publishing the full results of the competition on the Institute’s website.”

Information clause:

  1. The administrator of personal data processed as part of the recruitment process is the Institute of Animal Reproduction and Food Research of the Polish Academy of Sciences in Olsztyn, 10-748 Olsztyn, ul. Tuwima 10, phone no. 89 523 46 86, e-mail: instytut@pan.olsztyn.pl.
  2. Contact with the personal data protection officer is possible at the above-mentioned address.
  3. The provided personal data will be processed in order to carry out the current recruitment process and kept until its completion on the basis of expressed consent (in accordance with Article 6 (1) (a) of the GDPR).
  4. You have the right to withdraw consent at any time without affecting the lawfulness of the processing which was carried out on the basis of consent before its withdrawal.
  5. You have the right to access your personal data, request their rectification or removal. Submitting a request to delete data is tantamount to resignation from participation in the recruitment process. In addition, you have the right to request the restriction of processing in the cases specified in art. 18 GDPR.
  6. You have the right to lodge a complaint with the President of the Personal Data Protection Office against the unlawful processing of his personal data. This authority will be competent to consider the complaint, provided that the right to file a complaint concerns only the lawfulness of the processing of personal data, and not the recruitment process.
  7. Your data will not be profiled or made available to entities or third countries. The recipients of the data may be institutions authorized by law.
  8. Providing your personal data is not obligatory, but it is a necessary condition to participate in the recruitment process.
Data publikacji: 25.07.2023