PhD Student - Hematopoietic Stem Cell Dynamics in Maliant Brain Cancers in Essen bei Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum

PhD Student - Hematopoietic Stem Cell Dynamics in Malignant Brain Cancers in Essen bei Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum

Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum

Position: PhD Student - Hematopoietic Stem Cell Dynamics in Malignant Brain Cancers

Department: DKTK partner site Essen/Düsseldorf - Research Group "Cell Plasticity and Metastasis" (Emmy Noether) at University Hospital Essen

Code number: 2023-0379

The German Cancer Research Center is the largest biomedical research institution in Germany. With more than 3,000 employees, we operate an extensive scientific program in the field of cancer research.

Together with university partners at seven renowned partner sites, we have established the German Cancer Consortium (DKTK).

At the partner site of DKTK Essen / Düsseldorf the German Cancer Research Center is offering a PhD position in the Research Group "Cell Plasticity and Metastasis" (headed by Prof. Dr. rer. nat. Barbara M. Grüner), Department of Medical Oncology at University Hospital Essen.

Recently, hematopoietic activity in malignant brain cancers was linked to overall survival. Their spatiotemporal trajectories and its crosstalk to the tumor microenvironment remains elusive and will be the focus of this DKTK joint funding INNOVATION project. We will map and annotate their niche assembly in original patient material, track their path and cellular progeny, and explore their microenvironmental dynamics in vital surgical specimens and in disease models. We expect this work to frame an explanation for the overall cold immune environment in glioblastoma, and at the same time, to provide reasonable action items to overcome this feature as a therapeutic hurdle in the daily management of many fatal diseases.

Job description:

Cell culture: thaw, culture, split, freeze cells; functional in vitro analyses, planning and execution of cell culture experiments including viral transduction and cellular DNA barcoding methods
Molecular biology / protein chemistry: PCR, RT-PCR, qRT-PCR, DNA and RNA isolation, protein isolation, Western blots
Primary animal experimental research on tumor tissue in a translational research project that also includes human experimental tissues in patients with glioblastoma
Immunohistology / immunofluorescence: paraffin / cryoembedding, preparation of slides on microtome, multiplexed imaging capture and analysis
Molecular and flow cytometric study of tumors and tumor cell primary cultures
Planning and execution of multi-omics single-cell-based DNA/RNA sequencing methods including spatial transcriptomics and multiplexed imaging methods combined with DNA barcoding technologies
Bioinformatic and statistical evaluation of results
Documentation and evaluation of research results as well as preparation of publications, lectures, posters
Preparation of the dissertation within the PhD project

Requirements:

University degree (Master) in molecular biology, molecular medicine or comparable
Animal experimental experience (breeding / keeping immunodeficient and/or immunocompetent mouse lines) and knowledge of basic immunological, cell culture, and molecular biology techniques
Knowledge of complex multicolor flow cytometry experiments and cell sorting would be preferable
Proficiency in multi-omics bioinformatic analysis and programming language (R/Python) is desired
Very good knowledge of written and spoken English is expected; knowledge of German is helpful but not mandatory

We offer:

Excellent framework conditions: state-of-the-art equipment and opportunities for international networking at the highest level
Access to international research networks
Doctoral salary with the usual social benefits
30 days of vacation per year
Flexible working hours
Possibility of part-time work
Family-friendly working environment, e.g. parent-child room, advisory services
Sustainable travel to work: subsidized Germany job ticket
Unleash your full potential: targeted training and mentoring through the DKFZ International PhD Program and DKFZ Career Service
Our Corporate Health Management Program offers a holistic range of services for your well-being

Important notice:

The DKFZ is subject to the regulations of the Infection Protection Act (IfSG). As a consequence, only persons who present proof of immunity against measles may work at the DKFZ.

Earliest Possible Start Date: 01.01.2024

Duration: The position is limited to 3 years.

Application Deadline: 16.11.2023

Contact:

Prof. Dr. Barbara Grüner
Phone +49 (0)201/723-8142

Please note that we do not accept applications submitted via email.