Latest Opportunity for PhD Life Science – Junior Research Group Leader Post

Job description: Latest Jobs for PhD Life Science

• For the DKTK partner site Essen / Düsseldorf, we are seeking a junior research group leader with a background in cancer biology and related fields (e.g. pathology, immunology).
• The research field should focus on the analysis of spatial and longitudinal heterogeneity of gastrointestinal tumor ecosystems, preferably pancreaticobiliary cancers, at single-cell resolution.
• Experience in developing and/or employing comprehensive tumor models to address complex tumor-host interactions is expected.
• Expertise in the integration of multi-omics datasets (e.g. RNA/DNA sequencing datasets with tissue imaging data) with phenotypic endpoints (tumor differentiation, therapy response patterns, etc.) is warranted.
• Specific experience in leveraging state-of-the-art imaging approaches (e.g. ultrahigh multiplex imaging, spatial transcriptomics) is welcome which may also enhance reverse translation approaches.
• The research field should also match the profile of the DKTK partner site Essen / Düsseldorf, with a particular focus on three interconnected main research topics:

i) plasticity of cellular phenotypes.

ii) immune regulation in the tumor microenvironment – contributing to both tumor heterogeneity and therapy resistance.

iii) preclinical drug discovery for clinical application.

Thus, mechanistic and patient-centered research to inform and conceptualize proof-of-concept clinical trials and perform accompanying translational research including reverse translational approaches is strongly encouraged.

• Competitive applicants should have an exceptional track record of accomplishment, with evident future potential and commitment to translational cancer research.
• The group is thought to be situated in a preclinical-translational area and expected to cooperate with clinician-scientists and/or companies focusing on clinical trial development and reverse translation.
• The DKFZ and the DKTK partner site Essen / Düsseldorf provide access to state-of-the-art core facilities. Translational research activities are supported by access to well-characterized patient cohorts, high-quality tumor tissue banks, and excellent clinical research facilities.
• The DKTK junior research group leader will be employed at the DKFZ Heidelberg and located with the research group at the Medical Faculty of the University of Duisburg-Essen at the University Hospital Essen.