| Code | SD-NBiol-G67 |
|---|---|
| Area/discipline | Biological sciences |
| Form of studies | Full-time |
| Level of education | Third cycle |
| Language(s) of instruction | English, Polish |
| Admission limit | 1 |
| Duration | 8 semestrs |
| Recruitment committee address | Wydział Biologii ul. Uniwersytetu Poznańskiego 6, 61-614 Poznań |
| Office opening hours | 9.00-14.00 |
| WWW address | https://amu.edu.pl/doktoranci/szkola-doktorska/rekrutacja/rekrutacja-20252026 |
| Required document | |
| Ask a question | |
Additional recruitment to the Doctoral School of Natural Sciences beyond the limit of places
Project description:
Microbes often produce more catabolic enzymes than required for homeostasis, which is wasteful under biotechnological conditions. Introducing optimized sugar transporters such as Glf can enable the exploitation of this unused metabolic capacity.
The primary goal of this project is to elucidate the molecular basis responsible for the unique characteristics of the high-capacity and low-affinity sugar transporter Glf to enable its rational engineering towards specific substrates and elevated temperature. The developed transporters will serve as a means for studying the untapped metabolic capacity of selected bacterial species.
Elucidating the molecular details of the transport cycle of Glf and its interactions with distinct substrates by using advanced molecular dynamics simulations will provide key data driving protein designs. Insights into the dynamic interplay between allosteric interactions in Glf responsible for its conformational changes and substrate recognition will inform novel engineering strategies for optimizing transporter functionality. Finally, the proposed mutants of Glf will be experimentally evaluated by collaborating laboratory in Czechia.
REQUIRED SKILLS OF THE CANDIDATE:
- M.Sc. degree in Biophysics/Bioinformatics/Computational Chemistry or related field
- Documented experience with molecular dynamics simulation
- Comfortable with Linux OS
- Experience with protein structural bioinformatic, enhanced sampling methods, and transmembrane proteins will be considered as advantage
- Very good command of English.
Principal investigator: dr hab. Jan Brezovsky - NCN 2024/55/I/NZ1/01878
Recruitment
Selection Committee
Chairman: prof. dr hab. Jan Brezovsky
Deputy chairman: prof. UAM dr hab. Ryszard Koczura
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.