Lodz University of Technology is one of the finest universities of technology in Poland. Its tradition and experience in training professionals and conducting research date back 80 years. It is an attractive partner for business. It cooperates with the largest national and international corporations. It conducts research of a European standard, develops new technologies and creates innovation in collaboration with the leading research centers all over the world. One of the pillars of Lodz University of Technology management is equal treatment of staff regardless of their gender, age, race or other demographic and social characteristics. In 2016, TUL was the first technical university in Poland to receive the HR Excellence in Research award certifying that the University adheres to the principles of the European Charter for Researchers and the Code of Conduct for the Recruitment of Researchers.
The aim of the competition is to select a candidate who will be involved in research within the project “Development of rigorous tools for identifying and elucidating the role of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species generated during ferroptosis” funded under the SONATA 20 programme of the National Science Centre (Poland).
Principal Investigator (PI): Dr inż. Aleksandra Grzelakowska
Number of Scholarships: 1
Position title: PhD Student-Scholarship Holder (f/m) at the Institute of Polymer and Dye Technology, Faculty of Chemistry, Lodz University of Technology
1. The requirements for the candidate:
• Completed university studies in chemistry/chemical technology or related fields. Applicants in the final year of master’s studies may apply if they provide a supervisor’s letter confirming graduation before the project start date.
• Status as a PhD student at the Interdisciplinary Doctoral School of Lodz University of Technology at the time of starting the project tasks (https://www.p.lodz.pl/en/about-interdisciplinary-doctoral-school).
• Documented laboratory experience (e.g., through internships, fellowships, or other practical work).
• Good knowledge of and scientific interest in organic and/or biological chemistry.
• Good command of English to enable independent use of scientific literature and academic communication.
• Due to the scope and nature of the project tasks, the following will be considered an asset:
o familiarity with spectroscopic methods and their application to the identification of organic compounds;
o ability to work in a team, strong motivation and enthusiasm for conducting scientific research and further academic development, creativity, and independence in planning and conducting experiments.
2. Working conditions:
• NCN research fellowship within the SONATA 20 project, funded by the National Science Centre, with a monthly gross–gross stipend of PLN 5,000.
• The fellowship is awarded in accordance with the rules set out in the NCN Research Fellowship Regulations for research projects funded by the National Science Centre, adopted by Resolution No. 25/2024 of the NCN Council on 4 March 2024.
• Expected starting date: October 2026.
3. Description of the expected scope of tasks and responsibilities:
The position is a PhD student-scholarship holder (f/m) for the implementation of research tasks within a grant funded by the National Science Centre (NCN) under the SONATA 20 programme: “Development of rigorous tools for identifying and elucidating the role of reactive oxygen and nitrogen species generated during ferroptosis” (the project abstract is available https://www.ncn.gov.pl/sites/default/files/listy-rankingowe/2024-09-16-…).
Within the project, the PhD student-scholarship holder (f/m) will conduct research aimed at developing new chemical biology tools for the identification of oxidants involved in, and generated during ferroptosis, as well as tools enabling the induction of lipid peroxidation at defined cellular locations,
a key process driving ferroptotic cell death.
PhD student-scholarship holder (f/m) is expected to:
o conduct research related to the project subject;
o actively participate in the activities of the research team;
o present research results at seminars and conferences;
o prepare partial research reports;
o participate in the preparation and writing of scientific publications;
o contribute to the organizational activities of the Institute of Polymer and Dye Technology, the Faculty of Chemistry, and Lodz University of Technology in areas related to the project implementation.
4. List of required documents: in attachments
5. Place, form, and deadline for submitting documents
• Applications should be sent electronically to the following email address: aleksandra.grzelakowska@p.lodz.pl. Please include “SONATA 20 PhD student-scholarship holder competition” in the subject line of the email. All required documents/attachments must be submitted in PDF format (the total size of all files should not exceed 10 MB).
• Application deadline: rolling basis until 31 August 2026 (23:59).
• Selection procedure: applications will be evaluated on a rolling basis in the order of submission. Once a suitable candidate has been selected, the competition will be closed.
6. Additional information:
• The competition is open. The recruitment procedure will be conducted in accordance with the rules of the “Regulations on the Awarding of Fellowships in Research Projects Funded by the National Science Centre” (Annex to NCN Council Resolution No. 25/2024 of 4 March 2024).
• Candidates who meet the formal requirements and the project criteria will be invited for a qualifying interview. Information regarding the interview will be sent to candidates by email.