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

Project description:       

U1 snRNP has been initially described as part of the splicing machinery that removes introns from mRNA precursors. Since then, U1 has been implicated in multiple non-canonical functions in different model organisms. Also, in plants U1, apart from its role in splicing, has been implicated in the suppression of transcription termination at premature sites (phenomenon also known as telescripting) and miRNA biogenesis. In this project, we will combine the expertise of the Jarmolowski laboratory in splicing and transcription termination with the Swiezewski laboratory expertise in lncRNA and RNA polymerase II elongation to study selected non-canonical functions of U1 in plants. The project is built around multiple preliminary data obtained by both teams, including a U1 role in miRNA precursors processing, protein-coding genes transcription termination, lncRNA retention at chromatin and RNA quality control in the cell nucleus. Therefore, in this project, we will explore the U1 role in transcription termination and co-transcriptional RNA quality control. Moreover, we will also study the U1 role in RNA polymerase II elongation as we have preliminary observations that U1 snRNP influences polymerase kinetics in plants. Our project aim to integrate non-canonical functions with splicing-dependent U1 roles, as well as to evaluate the biological significance of those U1 non-canonical functions in plants in the context of miRNA biogenesis and seed dormancy regulation. Finally, we propose that the different non-canonical functions of U1 are unified by the U1 snRNP effect on RNA polymerase II elongation, an original hypothesis that will be tested in this project. Therefore, the scientific goal of the project extends well beyond the current state of the art in plants and mammals.

    REQUIRED SKILLS OF THE CANDIDATE:

·         MSc in Biology, Biotechnology, Bioinformatics, or related area.

·         Highly motivated, well-organized, with teamwork abilities.

·         Fluent in English.

·         Basic knowledge of molecular biology techniques, microscopy, and high-throughput data analysis.

Principal investigator:  prof. Artur Jarmołowski -NCN  2024-55/B/NZ2/01154

Recruitment 

Selection Committee

                              Chairman:                               prof. Artur Jarmołowski

                              Deputy chairman:                  prof. Magdalena Arasimowicz-Jelonek

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 November, 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). 

Scholarships 

The doctoral scholarship amounts to PLN 5000 (gross-gross) per month before the mid-term evaluation and PLN 6500 (gross-gross) per month after the mid-term evaluation for 24 months.

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.