PhD Student in Cancer Biology
Kennziffer: 2026-0184
- Berlin
- Full-time
- DKTK partner site Berlin - Adaptive Glycan Remodeling in Cancer Progression
The German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) is one of Europe’s largest cancer research centers. “Research for a life without cancer" is the mission of our world-class scientists and all our team members.
The DKFZ is a place where the brightest minds pursue bold ideas and seek answers to pioneering scientific questions through collaboration, innovation, and exploration across many disciplines. We provide a dynamic environment which empowers excellence with state-of-the-art technologies, cutting edge infrastructure, and a global scientific network.
Contribute your knowledge, vision, and dedication to create a space where scientific discovery in cancer research is transformed into benefits for human health.
Together with selected university partner sites, the German Cancer Research Center has established the German Cancer Consortium (Deutsches Konsortium für Translationale Krebsforschung, DKTK). The alliance between the DKFZ, as the core center, and the university partner sites in Berlin, Dresden, Essen/Düsseldorf, Frankfurt/Mainz, Freiburg, Heidelberg, Munich, and Tübingen joins forces at eight joint translation centers. The DKTK promotes interdisciplinary preclinical translational research topics to accelerate the transfer of results into new approaches for prevention, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer and to develop strategies for personalized oncology. The consortium supports the training of the next generation of medical and clinician scientists, operates state-of-the-art, highly specialized research infrastructures and technical platforms, and promotes the transfer of innovations to the economy and society.
For the Research Group "Adaptive Glycan Remodeling in Cancer Progression" (headed by Amulya Sreekumar) at the DKTK partner site Berlin, the DKFZ is seeking, starting in January 2027, a
We are seeking a highly motivated PhD student to investigate the mechanisms driving breast cancer progression. Approximately 30% of breast cancer patients who are disease-free after initial therapy ultimately develop local or metastatic recurrences seeded by therapy-evasive residual tumor cells. Such cells often exist in a dormant state and subsequently exit dormancy, thus giving rise to recurrences. We are interested in the molecular mechanisms that promote residual tumor cell persistence after therapy and their subsequent reactivation.
Building on our recent discovery that tumor cell-autonomous glycan biosynthesis supports dormant cell persistence, this project aims to identify therapeutic strategies that disrupt glycan-mediated signaling to eliminate residual tumor cells and prevent lethal recurrence. The work will integrate mechanistic molecular biology, functional genomics, and advanced cancer models to achieve this goal.
The successful candidate will join the DKFZ International PhD Program (https://www.dkfz.de/en/career/international-phd-program) and work in a collaborative environment spanning DKFZ and Charité/DKTK Berlin. This partnership provides access to cutting-edge core facilities, including high-content imaging, flow cytometry, and genomics technologies at both institutions.
Our laboratory is located within the Department of Hematology, Oncology, and Cancer Immunology at Charité-Campus Virchow Klinikum in Berlin.
Ihre Aufgaben:
- Performing molecular biology, cell biology, and biochemistry experiments using human and murine breast cancer models
- Working with genetically engineered mouse models and transplantable tumors
- Gaining problem-solving and analytical skills through active participation and training
- Integration and interpretation of data
- Presenting research findings at national/international conferences
- Contributing to high-impact scientific publications
Ihr Profil:
- Master's degree in biology, biochemistry, or a related life sciences discipline
- Strong interest in cancer research and the molecular mechanisms underlying disease progression
- Practical experience in molecular biology
- Mammalian cell culture experience and an interest in working with mouse models are desirable
- Collaborative, highly motivated working style with good attention to detail
- Excellent written and spoken English
WHAT MAKES THIS POSITION SPECIAL:
- A fully funded PhD position within the DKFZ International PhD Program
- Close supervision and mentoring in an international research environment
- Participate in collaborations with leading cancer research groups
- Hands-on experience using cutting-edge technologies, including CRISPR-based functional genomics, next-generation sequencing, imaging, and advanced disease models
- Access to excellent core facilities at both DKFZ Heidelberg and Charité Berlin
Unser Angebot:
- Hervorragende Rahmenbedingungen: modernste state-of-the-art Infrastruktur und Möglichkeit zum internationalen Austausch auf Spitzenniveau
- Zugang zu internationalen Forschungs-Netzwerken
- Doktorandengehalt mit den üblichen Sozialleistungen
- 30 Tage Urlaub
- Flexible Arbeitszeiten
- Möglichkeit zur Teilzeitarbeit
- Familienfreundliches Arbeitsumfeld
- Nachhaltig zur Arbeit: Vergünstigtes Deutschland-Jobticket
- Entfalten Sie Ihr volles Potenzial: gezieltes Training und Mentoring durch das DKFZ International PhD Program und den DKFZ Career Service
- Unser betriebliches Gesundheitsmanagement bietet ein ganzheitliches Angebot für Ihr Wohlbefinden
Sie sind interessiert?
Amulya Sreekumar
Telefon:
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