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

Project description:        

The main objective of the project is to develop innovative bioimplants using a highly reproducible 3D bioprinting technique. The project involves the use of the combination polymers of natural and synthetic origin to produce the novel bioink for direct 3D printing of cell constructs. Natural polymers based on methacrylated gelatin and silk fibroin with unique biological properties and mechanical properties, biodegradability, biocompatibility and bioresorbability will be used in combination with synthetic polymers with specific mechanical properties, aimed at improving the stability and mechanical properties of the scaffolds. The detailed impact of 3D-bioprinted grafts on encapsulated cell behavior as well as interactions between two types of human cells (cardiomyocytes and endothelial cell lines) will be studied in vitro and in a designed ex vivo bioreactor system. Bioartificial prosthesis can be easily adopted to patient derived human induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) - cardiomiocytes (iPSCs-CMs) and endothelial cells (iPSCs-ECs).

Required skills for PhD Candidate

Education:

• Completed Master’s degree in biology, biotechnology, or related fields (by the start of the PhD program)

Experience:

• Practical experience in cell isolation and cell culture techniques (cell lines and primary cells) • Experience in isolating cells from tissues

• Ability to plan and carry out molecular biology experiments (e.g. PCR, DNA/RNA isolation, electrophoresis)

• Experience with microscopy techniques (fluorescence, confocal) and immunocytochemistry

• Knowledge of laboratory work standards, including working under sterile conditions

• Excellent command of English, both spoken and written (sufficient for reading scientific literature, preparing publications, and communicating with the research team and international collaborators)

Preferred qualifications:

• Participation in international scientific internships

• Experience with model organisms (e.g. Danio rerio)

• Willingness to actively engage in project implementation and work in an interdisciplinary team. 

Principal investigator:  dr Jagoda Litowczenko-Cybulska

Recruitment 

Selection Committee

                           Chairwoman:                           dr Jagoda Litowczenko-Cybulska   

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 24th 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)  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.