PhD position in Quiescent cell Variability

We invite applications for a PhD position within the project "The 
influence of ecological factors on the quiescent state: from the 
characteristics of individual eukaryotic cells to population dynamics", 
funded by the Polish National Science Centre (NCN) OPUS grant.

 About the Project
Background information:  Quiescence is a fundamental, but poorly 
understood cellular state crucial for survival for all eukaryotes. Yeast 
(Saccharomyces cerevisiae) serves as a model organism to study 
quiescence, providing insights into cellular aging, stress resistance, 
and microbial population dynamics. Understanding the genetic and 
ecological determinants of quiescent cell evolvability has broad 
implications for medicine, biotechnology, and science of ageing. Whitin 
a project we focus on  questions that remain unanswered: How do 
environmental factors (e.g., nutrient availability, exometabolome 
presence, and population density) influence quiescent cells phenotype 
heterogeneity in yeast populations? What are the genetic underpinnings 
of quiescence variability, and how do mutations shape adaptation to 
long-term starvation? How do evolutionary trade-offs affect the survival 
and regrowth dynamics of variable quiescent populations? How does 
quiescence influence antifungal resistance, and can different quiescence 
cell types exhibit bet-hedging strategies?

About the Position
 The successful candidate will perform experimental evolution of yeast 
populations under controlled starvation regimes and identify mutations 
driving quiescence-related adaptations using whole genome sequencing 
(WGS). The project will involve phenotypic characterization of quiescent 
cells through flow cytometry, fluorescence microscopy, and microfluidics 
techniques, alongside analyses of population-level survival, regrowth 
dynamics, and evolutionary trade-offs. There will be opportunities to 
apply mathematical modeling to investigate density-dependent effects on 
quiescent populations and to collaborate with international research 
groups for advanced microscopy and microfluidics training. The PhD 
student will gain extensive experience in experimental evolution, 
microbial phenotyping, and genomic analysis, developing a strong skill 
set in microbiology, evolutionary biology, and quantitative data analysis.

Host Institution & Location
The PhD student will be based at the Institute of Environmental 
Sciences, Faculty of Biology of the Jagiellonian University in Kraków, 
Poland - one of the leading research institutes in Ecology and Evolution 
in Central Europe (www.eko.uj.edu.pl/en_GB).
Kraków is a vibrant city with a rich cultural scene (European City of 
Culture 2000), hosting over 100 festivals and numerous cultural events 
annually. The city offers modern museums, theaters, cinemas, 
restaurants, and excellent access to outdoor activities such as hiking 
and biking. It is also well-connected to other European cities.

Founding & Salary
The position is funded for 48 months, offering a tax-free stipend of 
approximately 8,000 PLN (~1,900 EUR, around 130% of the average net 
salary in Poland). The stipend will increase by about 40% after a 
successful mid-term evaluation (after the second year). To estimate 
living costs in Kraków, applicants can use tools such as Numbeo 
(www.numbeo.com).

Requirements
The successful candidate will hold (or expect to hold by July 2025) a 
Master's degree in Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Biotechnology, 
Genetics, Evolutionary Biology or a related field.
We are looking for candidates with:
-    A strong interest in microbiology, evolution and molecular biology
-    Experience or interest in learning to work with microbial systems 
and culture techniques, and basic bioinformatics and molecular techniques
-    Good analytical skills
-    Fluency in English (written and spoken), good communication and 
organisational skills
-    Open to international collaboration and research visits abroad

Application Process
To apply, please send:
-     A cover letter explaining your background, skills, and motivation 
for this position
-     A CV
-     Contact details of at least one academic reference willing to 
provide a recommendation.

Applications and informal inquiries should be sent to dr hab. Dominika 
W³och-Salamon, Prof. UJ (dominika.wloch-salamon@uj.edu.pl).

Deadline & Selection Process

Review of applications is ongoing. To ensure full consideration, please 
apply by 28th April 2025. The selected candidate will receive assistance 
with the formal application to the PhD school at Jagiellonian 
University, with entrance exams scheduled for early July 2025.

The PhD position starts on 1st October 2025.

We look forward to receiving your application!

dr hab. Dominika W³och-Salamon prof. UJ
Instytut Nauk o Œrodowisku/ Institute of Environmental Sciences
  Wydzia³ Biologii/Faculty of Biology
Uniwersytet Jagielloñski/Jagiellonian University
+ 48 12 664-51-35
ul. Gronostajowa 7; 30-387 Kraków
ORCID: 0000-0002-0040-1838

"Always in motion is the future." Yoda

I may write email during weekends or outside work hours.
In such case, do not feel obliged to reply immediately, and get back to me whenever it is convenient for you.

Dominika W³och-Salamon <dominika.wloch-salamon@uj.edu.pl>

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