The International Institute of Molecular Mechanisms and Machines Polish Academy of Sciences

Organisation/Company The International Institute of Molecular Mechanisms and Machines Polish Academy of Sciences Research Field Biological sciences » Biology Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Positions Postdoc Positions Country Poland Application Deadline 2 Mar 2026 - 23:59 (Europe/Warsaw) Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 40 Offer Starting Date 1 May 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe – COFUND Reference Number AMBER Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

This post-doctoral position is part of the EU cofund research project AMBER, Advanced Multiscale Biological imaging using European Research infrastructures, will address scientific and sectoral gaps in biological imaging ranging from molecular, through cellular, to tissue, organ and organism levels of organisation, and is coordinated by LINXS Institute of advanced Neutron and X-ray Science. AMBER is funded by the EU Marie Skłodowska-Curie (MSCA) COFUND scheme. Around 15 postdocs will be recruited in the fifth call 2026, with each fellowship lasting 36 months.

AMBER COFUND is composed of six core partners:

• European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL),
• International Institute of Molecular Mechanisms and Machines, (IMOL), Poland,
• Leicester Institute of Structural and Chemical Biology, United Kingdom.
  
  

SubProject: Structural mechanisms of protein transport into mitochondria

In 2017, our team started with the ambitious ReMedy project “Regenerative Mechanisms for Health”, carried on within the International Research Agendas program of the Foundation for Polish Science. In 2020, we became a cornerstone for the newly constituted Institute of the Polish Academy of Sciences, created in partnership with the University Medical Centre Göttingen, Germany. The final and important step was a strategic agreement between PAS and the University of Warsaw concerning the joint project of setting up…

DESCRIPTION OF THE PROJECT: Mitochondria are important biochemical and metabolic hubs of the cell. To perform their function, mitochondria need more than a thousand proteins. Nearly all of them are synthesised in the cytosol and must be imported into a proper destination inside these organelles. Thus, understanding the mechanisms and accuracy of protein transport is critical, as well as identifying the molecular basis of multiple pathologies derived from mitochondrial malfunction. The project aims to dissect the structural mechanisms of protein transport into and across the inner mitochondrial membrane, governed by the complex protein translocase called TIM23. The progress achieved to date in this area has defined an exciting framework for further studies, leaving, however, many important questions unanswered. The project is planned to accommodate a portfolio of advanced structural biology, biochemical, cell biology and molecular biology methods complementing theoretical prediction approaches. The combination of technologies and expertise will allow us to dissect the key mechanistic determinants and players, as well as their dynamics underlying the protein import pathways of mitochondria. The above project presents a broad topic within which it is possible to distinguish several sub-projects.

QUALIFICATION REQUIREMENTS

General requirements are:

• candidate needs to have a maximum 8 years after a doctoral degree (PhD), as required by the project Grant Agreement signed with the European Commission,
• at least one original publication in a peer-reviewed journal,
• a background in the relevant methods,
• a complete application package submitted through the AMBER portal (including CV and detailed research plan), and finally,
• strict compliance with the MSCA mobility rule that the researcher must not have resided or carried out his/her main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the host organisations country for more than twelve months in the three years immediately prior to the call deadline.

QUALIFICATIONS REQUIRED FOR THIS SUBPROJECT

“Must-haves”:

• Doctoral degree in biochemistry or chemistry with interest in structural biology.
• Ability to communicate fluently in English (written and spoken)

Of merit (“good to haves”):

• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team
• Strong motivation to work and pursue scientific questions, creativity and analytical thinking

Instructions on how to apply

Apply for the position by filling in the form: https://forms.gle/iyz9Qv2i9PEjBYf68 (please familiarise yourself with the list of requirements – incomplete applications won’t be considered).

Applications shall be written in English and all documents shall be in pdf format:

i) A Curriculum Vitae (europass format). Your CV shall be exported to a PDF file that you use in your

application.

ii) A detailed research plan including any foreseen secondments (candidates can suggest more than

the mandated one, they can also suggest their own secondments), schools and conferences as well

as a templated budget plan. The research plan should be as concise as possible, 3 pages, including

one-third page of summary/abstract.

Additional texts to include in the PDF are:

iii) Letter of Commitment from any additional secondment partners the candidate wishes to bring

onboard.

iv) Evidence of English proficiency (minimum CEFR B22, also checked at interview).

v) A draft Individual Career Development Plan (ICDP).

vi) Two reference letters.

vii) Any additional documents to support the application, for example PhD certificate/diploma, PhD

upcoming defense date

viii) Ethical questionnaire (HE ethics checklist + research ethics commitment)

Any candidate can apply for maximum of 3 positions. You must apply for each individual position. A list with order of preference of positions should be sent to the AMBER management (amber@linxs.se ). For more information and documents/templates/europass link, please visit https://www.ambercofund.eu/for-applicants . Incomplete applications will not be considered. For more information about the total announced post-doctoral positions within in the AMBER cofund project please visit https://www.euraxess.se/jobs/392999 . The interviews will start in April/May 2026. For more information about AMBER, application and evaluation process etc please visit:ambercofund.eu .

Number of offers available 1 Company/Institute The International Institute of Molecular Mechanisms and Machines Polish Academy of Sciences Country Poland City Warsaw Postal Code 02-247 Street Marcina Flisa 6 Geofield