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: “Intersecting Hazards: Intersecting Hazards - Impact of PFAS on antimicrobial resistance spread in sludge fertilized soil (IMPRESS)

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 effects of PFAS compounds on the structure, diversity and activity of the microbiome in soils amended with sewage sludge.

The research will involve classical microbiological methods, techniques for assessing microbial metabolic activity and next-generation sequencing methods.

The main responsibilities will include:

• conducting microbiological analyses of soil and sewage sludge samples;
• analysing microbial metabolic activity using Biolog EcoPlates;
• isolating DNA from soil, sewage sludge and other environmental samples;
• assessing the quality and quantity of the isolated DNA;
• preparing samples for microbiome analyses using next-generation sequencing techniques;
• analysing and interpreting next-generation sequencing data;
• assessing the taxonomic structure and diversity of the microbiome;
• integrating the results of microbiological, metabolic and molecular analyses;
• independently planning and conducting experiments;
• performing statistical analyses and interpreting the obtained results;
• preparing research documentation and compiling research results.

The candidate should:

• hold a Master’s degree;
• have doctoral student status or be admitted to a doctoral school;
• be available Monday to Friday during hours agreed with the project leader;
• 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 environmental samples;
• have experience in conducting microbiological analyses;
• have experience in isolating DNA from environmental samples;
• have knowledge of or experience in microbiome analyses using next-generation sequencing techniques;
• have basic skills in analysing and interpreting microbiome data, including results concerning taxonomic composition and microbial diversity;
• demonstrate an interest in environmental microbiology and the effects of contaminants on the microbiome;
• 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 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 24 August 2026, 23:59, to: magdalena.urbaniak@biol.uni.lodz.pl

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

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 15 September 2026.

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

Magdalena Urbaniak, PhD, DSc, Associate Professor at the University of Lodz
Email: magdalena.urbaniak@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.