Project and Employer Description
The position is offered by the company Living Networks sp. z o. o. within a research project
“Enabling reliable and rapid preclinical evaluation of macrophage-targeting immune modulatory drug candidates with vascularized in vitro 3D human lung cancer microenvironment models”
funded by the NCBR Swiss-Polish Cooperation Program (https://www.gov.pl/web/ncbr-en/call--2025).
Living Networks (https://www.thelivingnetworks.com/) is a Warsaw-based biotech startup pioneering a novel approach to vascular tissue engineering based on the highly precise manipulation of cell microcarriers and their controlled assembly into microarrays. Each microcarrier gives rise to an independent, vascularized microenvironment, representing the human vasculature at the microscale. This technology enables the creation of advanced, fully human-cell based 3D in vitro models for studying complex biological processes and for high-content drug evaluation.
The project is carried out by an international consortium consisting of:
- Living Networks sp. z o. o., developing AI-powered in vitro models of human immune tumor microenvironment for high-content immunotherapy testing,
- Abbmira Therapeutics AG, a Swiss biotechnology company focused on macrophage-targeting drug development,
- Mossakowski Medical Research Institute, Polish Academy of Sciences, offering expertise in macrophage biology and cancer biomarkers.
The project addresses Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer (NSCLC), the leading cause of cancer-related mortality. A major mechanism of resistance to immunotherapy is the tumor microenvironment (TME), where tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) adopt an immunosuppressive M2-like phenotype. The project aims to develop novel small-molecule compounds that reprogram TAMs toward a pro-inflammatory M1-like phenotype and modulate the macrophage–vascular–tumor axis.
To increase clinical translatability, the project focuses on human-relevant 3D in vitro models, including vascularized lung cancer co-culture systems composed of tumor cells, endothelial cells, and macrophages, and incorporates patient-derived pleural effusions from NSCLC patients.
Main Project Objectives
- Develop and perform 2D and 3D assays to assess the pro-inflammatory activity of three novel drug candidates
- Select a lead compound based on efficacy, biomarker response, and mechanistic profiling
- Develop a prototype of a robust, fully human 3D vascularized lung cancer in vitro model with embedded macrophages
- Evaluate the ability of the lead compound to induce pro-inflammatory TAM polarization in clinically relevant 3D TME models enriched with pleural fluid from NSCLC patients
Key Responsibilities
- Generation, optimization, and validation of 3D in vitro lung tumor microenvironment models
- Performing advanced mammalian cell culture experiments, confocal microscopy, image acquisition, biochemistry assays and quantitative data analysis
- Conducting efficacy studies of macrophage-targeting drug candidates in 3D lung cancer models
- Assessing macrophage polarization toward a pro-inflammatory phenotype
- Working with patient-derived pleural effusion samples
- Collection, documentation, and interpretation of experimental data
- Close collaboration with software development team
- Active participation in project meetings and reporting within the international consortium
Candidate Profile
- PhD (or equivalent experience) in Biology, Biotechnology, Bioengineering, Biomedical Sciences, or a related discipline
- Proven experience in mammalian cell culture, confocal microscopy, image analysis, and common biochemistry assays
- Optional (advantageous): background in macrophage biology, immunology or cancer biology, practical experience with 3D in vitro models (spheroids, organoids, co-culture systems), experience with primary cell culture or/and patient material
- Ability to work independently and as part of an interdisciplinary research team
- Very good command of English
Selection Criteria
The selection will be based on:
- Compliance of qualifications with project requirements
- Scientific and technical competence relevant to the project objectives
- Previous research experience and achievements
- Motivation and ability to contribute to a multi-partner international project
We Offer
- Employment for 30 months, including a 3-month probation period.
- Gross-gross monthly salary: 13 080 PLN (~10 600 PLN gross).
- Status: full-time employment.
- Access to advanced research infrastructure (confocal microscope, live imaging, fully equipped biolab) and innovative human 3D model platforms
- Hands-on training on culturing human primary macrophages, immune activation assays, and biomarker offered by top experts from Mossakowski Medical Research Institute
- Mentoring sessions covering entrepreneurship in drug R&D
- Cooperation with international academic and industrial partners
- Opportunities for scientific publications and professional development
Application Requirements
The application should include:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Motivation letter including description of previous research experience and most important achievements
- At least 2 references
Recruitment Timeline
- Please send your application to: Living Networks sp. z o.o.
contact@thelivingnetworks.com
- Application deadline: 12 February 2026
- Interviews with shortlisted candidates: 16–17 February 2026
- Planned start date: 1 March 2026
- Location: Warsaw, Poland.
Please include one of thr above GDPR consent statements in your CV.
I hereby consent to the processing of my personal data by Living Networks sp. z o.o. for the purpose of the recruitment process for the position of Cell Biologist / Molecular Biologist, in accordance with Regulation (EU) 2016/679 (GDPR).
Pursuant to Article 13(1) and (2) of Regulation (EU) 2016/679 of the European Parliament and of the Council of 27 April 2016 (GDPR), we hereby inform that:
- The controller of your personal data is Living Networks sp. z o.o., with its registered office in Warsaw, Poland.
- Your personal data will be processed for the purpose of conducting the recruitment process for the position of Cell Biologist / Molecular Biologist – Development of Human Lung Tumor 3D Microenvironment Models, carried out within a project co-funded by the National Centre for Research and Development (NCBR) under the Swiss-Polish Cooperation Program, based on:
- Article 6(1)(b) GDPR – taking steps at the request of the data subject prior to entering into a contract,
- Article 6(1)(a) GDPR – consent, with regard to data provided beyond the scope required by Polish labour law.
- Personal data may be disclosed to entities authorised by law to supervise or audit the project implementation, in particular NCBR, as well as to project consortium partners, solely to the extent necessary for recruitment and reporting obligations.
- Personal data will be stored for the duration of the recruitment process and, where separate consent is granted, for future recruitment purposes for up to 12 months.
- You have the right to access your personal data, rectify it, erase it, restrict its processing, transfer it, and to object to its processing.
- You have the right to lodge a complaint with the President of the Personal Data Protection Office (PUODO).
- Providing personal data is voluntary but necessary to participate in the recruitment process.
