APPLY NOW
We are recruiting a highly motivated PhD candidate to join our network! The position is available at the Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Georg-Speyer-Haus in Frankfurt (Germany).
Check out the details below and don’t miss the deadline to apply!
WHAT WE OFFER
A highly stimulating and clinically relevant project in an inspiring international research team within an interdisciplinary network of scientists, clinicians and industrial partners. Located in Frankfurt, the institute provides a very stimulating, friendly and international environment.
As part of the ITN, the PhD fellow participates in organized training courses, networking events and expands expertise through stays in the laboratories of other ITN members.
This position is supported by a full-time employment contract initially for 36 months. Until 31 December 2024, the contract will be paid by INTERCEPT-MDS funding that follows the H2020 MSCA regulations for Early Stage Researchers and their family status at the time of the recruitment. After this date, the full-time employment contract will be set according to standards at the Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Georg-Speyer-Haus based on past working experience.
The INTERCEPT-MDS network:
SCIENTIFIC EXCELLENCE AND PERSONAL DEVELOPMENT
The highly complementary composition of the INTERCEPT-MDS network will provide all the key expertise and infrastructure to support the scientific excellence of the PhD candidate.
Experts from two sectors (academia and industry) and two research environments (clinical and basic) across Europe will offer a unique multidisciplinary and multisectoral training opportunity in the novel field of disease interception.
The successful applicant will be enrolled in a PhD programme and will receive an outstanding and tailored training designed specifically for the INTERCEPT-MDS fellows, which is currently ongoing.
In addition, the PhD candidate will carry out secondments in other European institutions within the network to provide the needed interactions to achieve research and training excellence, and improve their future career perspectives in academia and the private sector.
VACANCIES LIST
We have the following position available:
PhD Project 9: Exploiting 3D organotypic niche models to dissect the cellular crosstalk between niche and haematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPCs) in human myelodysplastic syndromes (MDS)
This ongoing scientific project focuses on MDS, a heterogenous group of pre-leukemic diseases where pre-malignant stem cells show a great dependency on their surrounding niche cells (Medyouf, Cell Stem Cell, 2014; Medyouf, Blood, 2017). The PhD candidate will dissect the molecular mechanisms and cellular interactions that underpin this dependency and leverage the gained knowledge for the rational design of therapeutic approaches that enable disease interception. Cell-cell interactions between MDS cells and bone marrow niche components, will be explored using multiomics analysis in the context of a multicellular and fully human 3D organotypic bone marrow model system (3D Human Organotypic Marrow Environment or 3D HOME), recently established by the Medyouf lab. The PhD candidate will initially expand the throughput and standardization of the 3DHOMEs system, two essential features that will facilitate its use as a powerful screening platform. Results obtained from the 3DHOMEs will be validated using patient samples and established patient-derived xenograft models in collaboration with other ITN members.
To broaden the expertise of the PhD candidate and support the project, two secondments (stays in collaborating laboratories within the network) of 3 months will be offered as an integral part of the PhD project. The envisioned secondments for this position are at GenomeScan B.V. to gain in depth expertise in NGS analysis (Leiden, The Netherlands), and at INSERM to perform functional CRISPR screening (Paris, France).
Host institution: Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Georg-Speyer-Haus (GSH). Frankfurt, Germany.
Supervisor: Dr. Hind Medyouf.
ELIGIBILITY CRITERIA
Applicants can be of any nationality and must fulfil the following conditions:
• Not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in Germany for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to their recruitment.
• Be in the first 4 years (full-time equivalent research experience) of their research careers and not have been awarded a doctoral degree at the date of recruitment.
• Have a master’s degree relevant to the chosen position or an equivalent qualification that would entitle them to embark on a doctorate by the time they are recruited. Applications are welcome from candidates who will finish their master studies by 1 July 2023, at the latest (Please state the expected defence date in the application).
• Have a high level of proficiency in written and spoken English.
Successful candidates will have a very strong research drive and the motivation to take on an ambitious project, as well as a keen interest in tissue engineering and/or translational research. Applicants with solid background in computational biology will be given priority.
Having a demonstrated interest on outreach activities and public engagement will be considered a plus.
APPLICATION PROCESS
Download the Full details document, which lists the required documents to apply. To start the application process press the “Apply here” button below.
Eligible applications will be ranked on the basis of CVs and merits by a selection committee. The 3 top candidates for the position will be invited for a virtual interview where the final candidate will be selected.
Applicants with a positive evaluation but not selected will be included on a reserve list to cover eventual future positions and might be contacted at a later stage.
TIMELINE
Application deadline
22 May 2023 at 14:00 (CEST)
Virtual interviews
May/June 2023 (exact date to be determined)
Tentative start of fellowship
June/July 2023