RESEARCH ASSISTANT POSITION AT THE LABORATORY OF RECOMBINANT VACCINES, INTERCOLLEGIATE FACULTY OF BIOTECHNOLOGY UG & MUG

Position title:

Research Assistant in the project “Molecular strategies against viral entry and glycan shielding,” funded by the European Union under the HORIZON Research and Innovation Actions, GA 101191794 SHIELD

Position description:

• Conducting scientific research
• Designing, performing, and analyzing laboratory experiments
• Collaborating within a research team as well as working independently

Project description:

The SHIELD consortium targets two closely related steps in the viral replication cycle that are, as yet, difficult to study and to exploit for therapeutic interventions: 1) Virion glycosylation in the context of uptake, maturation and viral immunity. 2) Virion dynamics of entry into cells, where the plasticity of the involved proteins and their glycosylation status have key roles. The viruses studied in SHIELD are from the genera of flavivirus (DENV, WNV, YFV, Zika), mammarenaviruses (LASV) and henipaviruses (Hendra, Nipah). We bring a broad spectrum of methodical expertise to understand and exploit the interrelated processes of viral glycosylation and viral dynamics. Molecular simulations will enable the identification of cryptic pockets in viral proteins that form during the entry process, and the design of inhibitory ligands that bind to such pockets. Theoretical methods will be used to identify ligands for glycosylated viral proteins. This is intertwined with cryo-EM and nano-resolution optical microscopy which enable a detailed analysis of these events, their sensitivity to biological and chemical interference, and will allow a rational optimization of specificity and affinity. Novel chemical and biological entities (NCEs, NBEs) as tool compounds and potential starting points for drug development are obtained by targeted chemical synthesis, X-ray fragment screening, and nanobody library screens. Additionally, we study biological processes and the influence of interactions in systems of increasing complexity, which range from biochemical in-vitro to cellular assays and in vivo animal models. As the ‘glycan shield’ in Lassa/Hendra/Nipah plays a major role in immune evasion, we explore the immunological effects of an interference with protein glycosylation leading to novel starting point towards the development of effective and robust vaccines. In conclusion, SHIELD delivers a deeper understanding, and molecular tools to prepare the EU for future pandemic events.

Scope of work:

The research assistant will be responsible for commissioned studies on flaviviruses, with particular focus on viral entry mechanisms and the role of envelope glycoprotein glycosylation in modulating immune responses. Key tasks will include production and purification of viral proteins, propagation of viruses in cell lines with altered glycosylation profiles.

The aim of the research is to better understand the role of the glycan shield in immune evasion and to identify potential targets for the development of new antiviral strategies.

Requirements:

• Master's degree in Biotechnology, Biology, Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, or Medical Biology.
• Experience in scientific research projects
• Proficiency in molecular biology, biochemistry, virology, and cell culture techniques
• Ability to work under biosafety conditions required for handling viral pathogens
• Experience in production of recombinant proteins and virus-like particles for vaccine antigen development
• Experience working with class II and III viral pathogens
• Proven track record of original research publications in peer-reviewed journals
• Participation in national and international conferences and symposia
• Ability to work independently and in a team
• Excellent command of English (spoken and written)

Employment conditions:

• Contract duration: 12 months
• Contract type: employment contract, part-time, 80% of full time employment
  Full-time employment (80%)
• Start date: 01.09.2026
• Salary: 8000 PLN gross montly salary (before tax and social insurance deductions)

Application deadline: 03.08.2026

Application submission:
Please send your application to: ewelina.krol@biotech.ug.edu.pl, with the subject line: “ASSISTANT - SHIELD”

The application should include:

• CV addressing the listed requirements
• A document confirming the Master’s degree
• Any other documents the candidate considers relevant to their application

Please include the following consent clause in your application: "I consent to the processing of my personal data contained in the job application for the purposes necessary to carry out the recruitment process, in accordance with the Personal Data Protection Act of 29.08.1997, Dz.U. No. 133, item 883."

Selected candidates who meet the formal and project-specific requirements will be invited for an interview. Details of the interview will be sent via email.