普通感冒冠状病毒感染肺部对中枢神经系统影响研究博士研究员

MERIT (MEtabolic Reprogramming in viral pathogenesis: from Infection to Therapeutic innovations) is an EU-funded MSCA training programme aimed at better understanding how viruses affect the human body. Coordinated by Dr. Adithya Sridhar, Assistant Professor, and Prof. Dr. Dasja Pajkrt, Professor of Pediatric Infectious diseases, from the OrganoVIR Labs at Amsterdam UMC (location AMC), this project brings together 7 academic institutions and 12 associated partners from across Europe. Within MERIT, researchers will take a new, holistic approach that focuses on infections and host metabolism to unravel virus-induced metabolic reprogramming and its impact on human health. The project’s objective lies in understanding the complex interplay between viruses and host cells, focusing on metabolic reprogramming, and long-term consequences of infection. This will be achieved by combining three methodological pillars: human organoids, integrative and spatial omics, and advanced microscopy. Human coronaviruses are predominantly recognized for causing respiratory illnesses, but multiple reports indicate a link between these infections and CNS symptoms and identification of viral RNA in brain tissue. Based on SARS-CoV-2 studies, some evidence suggests a role for peripheral neurons in CNS dissemination. However, the underlying mechanisms for common cold coronavirus (NL63, HKU1, OC43, and 229E) dissemination from the lungs to the brain remain unclear. This knowledge gap is critical, given the prevalence and repeated infections with these viruses that can potentially result in long-term neurological consequences. This study aims to investigate two dissemination routes (blood-brain barrier (BBB) and peripheral neurons), focusing on the interaction between the virus, blood cells, the BBB, and peripheral neurons. At Jagiellonian University in Krakow, Poland, MERIT is looking for a Doctoral Candidate (DC) to work on Work Packages 1 and 2. As DC3, your objectives are: • To evaluate if cells in the blood are used as “Trojan horses” in CNS dissemination • To evaluate the impact of infection on the BBB structure and metabolism • To assess the role of peripheral neurons and metabolic effects on neuronal function during coronavirus infection • To block viral entry through these mechanisms using virus-targeting monoclonal antibodies (mAbs)

You will be guided during your research project by Dr. Aleksandra Milewska and Prof. Krzysztof Pyrć. You can apply for this position until 30 October 2026 . Applications submitted after this date will not be considered.

Requirements / required education level / degree: Master Degree or equivalent

Requirements / required education level / discipline: Biological sciences

Requirements / skills: • Master's degree in biomedical sciences, infection, immunity or related fields • Experience working with mammalian cell culture, qPCR, and Bioinformatics are preferred. • Excellent oral and written communication skills in English (minimum C1/C2 CEFR level) • An interest in working in a multidisciplinary research group. • Have not resided/carried out work or studies in Poland for more than 12 months in the 36 months immediately before 1 April 2027.

Requirements / required languages / language: ENGLISH

Requirements / required languages / language level: Excellent

Additional information / benefits: • A contract with Jagiellonian University at Malopolska Centre of Biotechnology for 36 hours per week for 3 years (probation of 6 months). • The opportunity to work on large-scale and in-house research with motivated colleagues from all over the world. • Planned secondments to the Amsterdam UMC, Leiden University Medical Center (both in the Netherlands) and BEonChip in Zaragoza, Spain. • Training in safety and biosecurity aligned with international best practices. You will be trained in hazard identification, containment, incident reporting, and dual-use/gain-of-function issues. • An opportunity to take part in a tailor-made pre-MBA programme to develop entrepreneurial and commercial skills and other network-wide training opportunities including conferences and courses, a Personal Development Plan, non-academic coaching, and workshops on topics including ethics and sustainability and AI/LLM. • Gross monthly salary ranging from €1,876 to €2,288; mobility allowance: €710; family allowance (if applicable): €660. • Jubilee awards for long-term service ‒ in accordance with the Regulation for remuneration of employees of the Jagiellonian University; possible task-based and periodic allowances, as well as discretionary awards, upon meeting the conditions set out in the Regulation for remuneration of employees of the Jagiellonian University; additional annual remuneration, the so-called "thirteenth salary" ‒ after meeting the conditions specified in the relevant regulation. • Benefits: Institutional Social Benefits Fund (depending on the income per family member, in accordance with the Regulations for Granting Benefits from the Company Social Benefits Fund of the Jagiellonian University):

• co-financing of summer holidays (PLN 1050–1550 gross) and winter holidays (PLN 700–900 gross); • co-financing for children for organised holidays (PLN 900–1400 gross), or co-financing of individually purchased summer camps, sports camps, winter camps, medical holidays or rehabilitation stays (50–90%, with the maximum amount eligible for co-financing being PLN 2500 gross) per child; • cash equivalent for a special occasional package of sweets in the amount of PLN 100–300 gross per child; • co-financing of childcare in nurseries, kindergartens and other forms of preschool education, as well as care provided by a daily guardian or nanny (PLN 250–400 gross).

Work location / nr job positions: 1

Work location / job organisation institute: Jagiellonian University

Work location / job country: Poland

Hiring contact / organisation institute: Jagiellonian University

Hiring contact / organisation institute type: Higher Education Institute

Hiring contact / country: Poland

Hiring contact / city: Krakow

Hiring contact / website: https://mcb.uj.edu.pl/en_US/virogenetics-laboratorium-wirusologii

Application / how to apply: website

Application / application website: https://www.merit-eu.org/doctoral-candidate-opportunity-4

EU funding / framework programme: Horizon Europe - MSCA

EU funding / cofund nr job position: 1

Research field / main research field: Biological sciences

Research field / sub research field: Other

Researcher profile: First Stage Researcher (R1)

Positions: PhD Positions

Contract: Temporary

Job status: Full-time

Application deadline (as exported; timezone unverified): 2026-10-30T22:59:00