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

Project description:       

Excess nitrogen in the environment leads to serious ecological and climatic consequences. Although this element is essential for plant growth, its overuse, primarily resulting from the application of synthetic fertilizers, industrial emissions, and animal waste, leads to soil degradation and contamination of surface and groundwater. Moreover, nitrogen compounds contribute to air pollution and the formation of acid rain, further disrupting ecosystem balance. Human activity has more than doubled the natural nitrogen cycle, which significantly affects global climate change. While plants initially benefit from high nitrogen availability, its excess can disrupt their development, making them more susceptible to environmental stresses. Moderate levels of nitrogen promote root development and increase root biomass; however, an excess can induce morphological and anatomical changes, such as growth inhibition, reduced root diameter, and alterations in tissue structure, thereby limiting the transport of water and nutrients. These responses reflect a trade-off between maximizing nitrogen uptake and maintaining the functional integrity of the root system under conditions of high nutrient availability.

The aim of the project is to investigate the mechanisms regulating root growth in relation to nitrogen availability and to determine whether this relationship is modified under drought conditions. The research will be conducted on the model tree species Populus trichocarpa, using anatomical, physiological, and molecular approaches.

The research tasks include: 1/ Identification of key developmental stages of plants under varying nitrogen availability, with particular emphasis on symptoms of restricted root system growth; 2/ Identification of cytological changes in root cells in response to excess nitrogen; 3/ Characterization of the molecular and genetic mechanisms regulating root system responses to excess nitrogen; 4/ Analysis of the combined effects of excess nitrogen and varying water availability on root system functioning.

REQUIRED SKILLS OF THE CANDIDATE:

·  a Master’s degree in biology, biotechnology, or a related field;

·  basic knowledge of cell biology and molecular biology techniques, as well as the ability to analyze data and draw conclusions;

·  proficiency in English; knowledge of Polish will be considered an additional advantage;

·  commitment and motivation to engage in research work. 

Principal investigator: prof. dr hab. Agnieszka Bagniewska-Zadworna  NCN 2025/57/B/NZ9/00104

Recruitment 

Selection Committee

                              Chairwoman:                      prof.dr hab. Agnieszka Bagniewska-Zadworna

Schedule of  the Doctoral  School enrolment procedure:  

Recruitment fee

The recruitment fee is 75 EUR.

Language of the selection procedure, including interviews:

Polish or 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 scan of a document certifying education – a diploma with a diploma supplement for first- and second-cycle studies (Bachelor’s, MSc, or MA degrees) in the original language; if the document is not in English, a copy of the diploma in English or Polish, or a certified translation of the diploma into English or Polish, shall also be provided;

2)    A scan of a diploma or certificate confirming knowledge of a modern foreign language at a level of at least B2;  

3)    A scan of a passport, in the case of foreign nationals.

 Evaluation criteria

1)   The grade obtained in second-cycle studies or a uniform master’s degree programme (no more than 3 points); the candidate shall receive:

a)      3 points for a grade of at least very good or equivalent;

b)      2 points for a grade of good plus or equivalent;

c)       1 point for a grade of good or equivalent;

d)      3 points in the case of candidates applying for admission on the basis of the highest quality of scientific achievements (e.g. leadership of a project under the “Pearls of Science” programme).

In the absence of a diploma grade, the average grade from the course of studies shall be taken into account.

2)   Points for maximum three documented scientific achievements, in accordance with the detailed criteria for the candidate’s achievements, attached during electronic registration in the IRK system; no more than 22 points may be awarded.

3)   Points for other documented activities, based on a maximum of three achievements, in accordance with the detailed criteria for the candidate’s achievements in a given discipline; no more than 5 points may be awarded.

4)    Points for a research project prepared for the purposes of admission, and in the case of admission conducted in connection with the implementation of a research project – an original concept for the implementation of a grant project (no more than 20 points), with particular emphasis on:

a)     the ability to formulate the research objective and present the research problem;

b)     the originality of the research idea and the ability to select an appropriate method for solving the research problem;

c)      methodology appropriate to the chosen discipline;

d)     knowledge of existing research, supported by a basic bibliography;

e)     the significance of the project for the development of the chosen discipline;

f)       risk analysis of research tasks.

5)    The result of the interview, the scope of which shall include:

a)    knowledge and competences appropriate to the chosen discipline;

b)    elements of research methodology appropriate to the chosen discipline.

No more than 50 points may be awarded for the interview, and the maximum duration of the interview shall be 30 minutes.

Detailed admission criteria 2026/2027

Condition of admission to the Doctoral School 

Education Program

Education at the doctoral school lasts 8 semesters. Education is conducted on the basis of a curriculum and an individual research plan, and concludes with the submission of a doctoral thesis. The doctoral school curriculum comprises a catalogue of compulsory, compulsory elective, and optional modules.    

Start of studies: 1 October 2026. 

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.

Rules of admission to doctoral schools of Adam Mickiewicz University, Poznań in the academic year 2026/2027, Appendix to Resolution No. 132/2025/2026 of UAM Senate of 26 January, 2026.