We are seeking a scholarship holder (scientific scholarship) to carry out research tasks within the OPUS 29 project funded by the National Science Centre, Poland, entitled: When the chill hits: respective role and importance of low molecular weight cryoprotectants, ice-binding proteins and skin microbiota in supercooling amphibians (SUPERCOOL)

Planned starting date: 1 October 2026

Scholarship duration: 28 months, with the possibility of extension

The scholarship holder will be involved in research on the first mechanistic understanding of supercooling in a tropical amphibian.

The main responsibilities will include:

• standardised supercooling point (SCP) measurements under controlled cooling conditions;
• blood and tissue sampling before and during supercooling;
• glucose quantification using enzymatic assays and HPLC;
• fluorescence imaging of glucose analogues in tissues;
• thermal hysteresis assays for AFP screening;
• proteomic analyses (LC-MS/MS);
• RNA sequencing and qPCR validation of candidate genes;
• advanced statistical and comparative analyses;
• independently planning and conducting experiments;
• preparing and processing research results;
• participating in the preparation of scientific publications based on the obtained results.

The candidate should:

• hold a Master’s degree;
• have doctoral student status or be enrolled to the doctoral school;
• demonstrate strong motivation to conduct independent research based on the formulation and verification of research hypotheses;
•  be able to plan their work independently and collaborate effectively within a research team;

• have experience working with amphibians;

• be able to camp in remote isolated locations and work under physically strenuous conditions. A good physical condition is necessary to access our field laboratory (hiking in rugged terrain);

• demonstrate an interest in amphibian thermal physiology
• be able to design, conduct and evaluate experiments;
• have a good command of spoken and written English, particularly with regard to preparing scientific publications and presenting research findings;
• have experience presenting research findings at scientific conferences;
• be a co-author of at least two scientific publications published in recognised, peer-reviewed international journals;
• meet the formal eligibility requirements established by the National Science Centre, Poland, for receiving a research scholarship within an NCN-funded project.

Candidates are requested to submit:

• a CV describing their education, research experience and scientific achievements;
• a motivation letter;
• a list of scientific publications;
• a signed declaration of consent to the processing of personal data for the purposes of the recruitment procedure

The application documents should be submitted electronically by 17 August 2026, 23:59, to: philippe.kok@biol.uni.lodz.pl

The subject line of the email should read:“NCN OPUS 29 Scholarship Competition – SUPERCOOL”

The scholarship holder will be selected through an open competition conducted in accordance with the regulations of the National Science Centre, Poland.

Shortlisted candidates may be invited to an interview. The selection committee reserves the right to contact only those candidates who qualify for the next stage of the recruitment procedure.

Incomplete applications or applications submitted after the deadline will not be considered. The decision of the selection committee is final and cannot be appealed.

Announcement of the competition results: by 1^st of September 2026.

Further information about the competition and the project may be obtained from the project principal investigator:

Philippe J.R. Kok, PhD, DSc, Associate Professor at the University of Lodz
Email: philippe.kok@biol.uni.lodz.pl

Information on the processing of personal data for applicants participating in the competition for a research scholarship within a research project is available here .