Additional recruitment to the Doctoral School of Natural Sciences beyond the limit of places

Project description:       

The ENTRY-DM Doctoral Network, funded by the prestigious Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions – Doctoral Networks (MSCA-DN) programme, offers one fully funded PhD position at Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznań.

ENTRY-DM is a consortium of top European research institutions and biotech companies, creating an international, intersectoral research environment. It delivers a robust training programme to prepare the next generation of researchers to develop innovative oligonucleotide-based therapies for myotonic dystrophy (DM). All PhD candidates will benefit from multidisciplinary settings, secondments in academic and industry sectors, expert supervision, and specialised training in advanced research techniques, innovation, and career development.

Myotonic dystrophy is the most common inherited muscular dystrophy in adults. It is a complex disorder affecting multiple systems, including skeletal and cardiac muscle, as well as the nervous system. While significant progress has been made in understanding the genetic and molecular basis of DM, there is still no effective treatment. Antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) offer a promising therapeutic approach, but face delivery and efficacy challenges, such as poor tissue penetration and the absence of robust biomarkers.

The PhD project at Adam Mickiewicz University in Poznan aims to develop a therapy for DM1 by eliminating the CUG-expanded fragment from the mutant DMPK mRNA using ASOs. This fragment lies within exon 15 of the DMPK gene, which includes a cryptic 3′ splice acceptor site downstream, forming a new exon (exon 16) when activated. This splicing shift can remove the CUG-repeat region from the mRNA.

To achieve this, the PhD candidate will screen a library of at least 20 ASOs targeting intronic and exonic regions that regulate exon 15 splicing. Additionally, the PhD candidate will test ASOs that directly target CCUG expansions in DM2 cells. Multiple ASO chemistries (e.g., 2’-LNA, MOE, O-Me) will be tested in fibroblasts derived from DM1 and DM2 patients to assess splicing correction and reduction of toxic RNA foci.

The most promising ASOs will undergo further chemical modifications and in vivo testing in DMSXL mice (a transgenic DM1 model) and in induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from DM1 and DM2 patients. These studies will evaluate molecular and physiological biomarkers, including CUG/CCUG foci reduction, MBNL sequestration, splicing correction, and muscle function improvement.  

A person who has stayed in Poland for no more than 12 months in the past 3 years may apply for a doctoral position.

Principal investigator:  Prof. Krzysztof Sobczak, PhD, Adam Mickiewicz University (Project No. 101169266 – ENTRY-DM)

Recruitment 

Selection Committee

                             Chairman:                          prof. dr hab. Krzysztof Sobczak                    

Schedule of  the Doctoral  School enrolment procedure: 

Recruitment fee

The recruitment fee is 75 EUR.

Form of the selection procedure

One stage procedure.

Language of the selection procedure, including interviews:

  English language. 

Required documents:

Candidates applying based on exceptional academic achievements must include a scan of the following:  

1) For first-cycle graduates: the diploma and supplement. 

2) For students completing the third year of a unified master’s programme: a certificate indicating their academic average from years 1 to 3, along with a transcript. 

Candidates educated outside Poland must additionally submit: 

1) A scanned copy of their higher education diploma and supplement for both first- and second-degree qualifications (Bachelor’s and Master’s), in the original language and a certified translation into English or Polish.

2) A scanned copy of their passport (for foreign applicants). 

 Evaluation criteria

 1. A minimum grade of "very good" or equivalent from a second-cycle (master’s) or unified master’s degree diploma (5 points). Candidates applying on the basis of exceptional scientific achievements (e.g., grant awarded under the “Pearls of Science” competition) will also receive 5 points. 

2. Evaluation of up to three documented scientific achievements submitted during registration in the IRK system, assessed according to the detailed criteria of the candidate's accomplishments (maximum of 20 points). 

3. Assessment of other documented activities, based on up to three achievements indicated by the candidate, as per the specific criteria for the discipline (maximum of 5 points). 

4. The outcome of the interview, which assesses: 

a) The candidate’s knowledge and competencies relevant to their intended research, including discipline-specific expertise. 

b) Research methodology appropriate to the chosen discipline. The interview has a maximum duration of 30 minutes and awards up to 50 points. 

5. Evaluation of the research project prepared for admission, or in the case of recruitment tied to a grant project, the author’s concept for implementing the project (maximum of 20 points). Assessment focuses on: 

a) Formulation of the research objective and presentation of the research problem. Page 6 of 9 

b) Originality of the research idea and approach to solving the research problem. 

c) Methodology suited to the indicated discipline. 

d) Awareness of the current state of research, supported by a basic bibliography. 

e) The project’s significance for the development of the chosen discipline. 

Condition of admission to the Doctoral School 

Education Program

Education at the doctoral school lasts 8 semesters. Education at the Doctoral School  is offered on the basis of a framework curriculum and an individual research plan and ends with the submission of a doctoral dissertation.

The framework curriculum at the doctoral school includes a catalogue of modules of compulsory classes, elective compulsory classes and optional classes. It also:

1)    defines their schedule

2)    defines the way in which the classes are taught

3)    defines how learning outcomes are verified.

Education begins on 1st October, 2025.

Supervisors

A doctoral student works under the supervision of a supervisor or supervisors, or a supervisor and auxiliary supervisor, who will be appointed by the Deputy Rector at the request of a doctoral student (within 3 months of the start of his or her studies at the Doctoral School).

Rules of admission to doctoral schools of Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań in the academic year 2025/2026, Appendix to Resolution No. 46/2024/2025 of UAM Senate of 27 January, 2025.