Head of the PhD study programme:
dr hab. Joanna Raczkowska, Prof. UJphone: +48 12 664 4843
joanna.raczkowska@uj.edu.pl
PhD Student Administration Office:
mgr Ewa Lelekphone: +48 664 4894
ewa.lelek@uj.edu.pl
Biophysics is an interdisciplinary PhD study programme, combining elements from the borderline of physics, biology and material engineering in order to best understand the physical processes taking place both at the molecular level and at the interphase boundaries between biomolecules and their surrounding environment. That is why the curriculum of the PhD study programme in Biophysics implemented at the Faculty of Physics, Astronomy and Applied Computer Science (WFAiIS) is dedicated to ambitious, inquisitive young researchers who are not afraid of challenges and are open to finding new solutions, also outside their discipline.
Doctoral students have the opportunity to participate in the implementation of various research projects in one of the many research groups active in biophysics. They have at their disposal a wide range of modern experimental techniques such as atomic force microscopy, NMR, mass spectrometry, impedance spectroscopy, fluorescence, Raman, optical pliers or patch-clamping. They can also carry out theoretical projects, modelling biological processes using advanced calculation methods. Thanks to this, the PhD study programme in Biophysics creates a real possibility of an interdisciplinary approach to research issues and obtaining results that not only allow to obtain a doctoral degree but can also be applied in medicine, diagnostics or biomaterial production.
Pursuant to § 7 sections 1 and 3 of Resolution No. 91/IX/2021 of the Senate of the Jagiellonian University of 29 September 2021 on: the rules of recruitment for the Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences at the Jagiellonian University in the academic year 2022/2023, the Director of the Doctoral School of Exact and Natural Sciences announces a competition for two doctoral students with a scholarship financed from the research project funds as part of the PhD study programme in biophysics.
Within the SONATA BIS 11 project entitle “Understanding the biophysical limiting factors of patterning precision in developing tissues”, a commission set up at the School will conduct recruitment for the PhD study programme in biophysics.
The project manager, Dr Marcin Zagórski offers an opportunity to complete the doctorates in the following area: “Biophysical limiting factors of patterning precision in developing tissues”.
After the interviews and the evaluation of the candidates, the Chairman of the committee presents a report to the Director containing a list of candidates recommended for admission to the school as part of the research project.
In the developing organism cells proliferate, rearrange, and physically interact with other cells in the growing tissue. Chemical signals spread through the tissue to specify spatial patterns of different cell types with remarkable precision and reproducibility. Surprisingly little is known about how precision of this pattern is limited by cellular and mechanical factors in a growing tissue. Recently, I have shown that in the developing spinal cord pattern formation occurs via an optimal morphogen decoding strategy which is realized by specific gene regulatory mechanisms acting in individual cells. However, it remains a major challenge to understand to what extent growth, cellular dynamics, biomechanical feedbacks and global mechanical constraints limit patterning precision in the growing tissue. The project will focus on understanding: (1) how growth is related to patterning precision, (2) how cellular dynamics and biomechanical feedbacks are limiting patterning precision, (3) how global mechanical constraints acting on a growing tissue are affecting patterning precision. To address these aims, an overarching relation between patterning precision and growth across a range of growing tissues is postulated. Fast growth might limit patterning precision. In contrast, slow growth might result in precise patterning, but tissue will not have enough time to fully develop into organs and body parts. To verify this relation, the project will be based on biophysical and computational modelling as well as take advantage of collaborations with experimentalists. One of the project results will be a new framework for understanding precision in a cell-based model. Understanding the limits for patterning precision as a function of growth will advance our understanding of patterning in a broad range of tissues.
Additionally experience in developmental biology, image segmentation and cell-based models will be an asset.
Any document submitted in a language other than Polish or English must be accompanied by a certified translation into Polish or English.
Please send your application documents to the project manager Marcin Zagórski at: marcin.zagorski@uj.edu.pl and upload them into the Online Application System (irk.uj.edu.pl).
In the event of exposure to harmful, noxious or hazardous factors, the applicant will, at the time of registration, be referred for a medical examination by an occupational medicine physician. The candidate shall be obliged to deliver, within the time limit set by the programme manager, a medical certificate confirming the absence of contraindications to take up education (applies only to some PhD study programmes).
Higher education diplomas awarded abroad should:
Any document submitted in a language other than Polish or English must be accompanied by a certified translation into Polish or English.
Each doctoral student, including a foreigner, admitted to the doctoral school is obligatorily subject to health insurance if he/she is not covered by such insurance on other grounds (e.g. employment relationship, contract of mandate, business activity, insured as a family member under 26 years of age, as the spouse of an insured person). The health insurance contribution is paid by the Jagiellonian University and is financed from the State budget. In addition, a doctoral student receiving a doctoral scholarship is subject to compulsory retirement and disability insurance and accident insurance.
A person admitted to the doctoral school begin education and acquire doctoral student rights upon taking the oath. The Department of Personal Affairs reports each doctoral student admitted to the School to compulsory health and social insurance at the commencement of education. Until that time foreign candidates are obliged to cover the costs of insurance for the time of travel, treatment, etc. individually.