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sought at the earliest possible date at the Department of Medical Oncology and the Department of Translational Medical Oncology (TMO) at the NCT Heidelberg.

The Translational Precision Oncology Laboratory is embedded within the Department of Medical Oncology and the Department of Translational Medical Oncology (TMO) at the NCT Heidelberg and offers an interdisciplinary research environment at the interface of cancer biology, genomics, bioinformatics and precision oncology.

We are seeking a highly motivated PhD student for a 3-year position funded by the German Cancer Aid (Deutsche Krebshilfe).

Your Project

The project investigates novel precision oncology strategies targeting the YAP/TAZ–TEAD pathway in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma. By combining molecular and spatial profiling, functional genomics, patient-derived tumor models and computational analyses, the project aims to identify predictive biomarkers of TEAD inhibitor response and resistance, design rational combination therapies and to establish the foundation for biomarker-guided clinical trials. The project is embedded in ongoing translational efforts with academic collaborators and pharmaceutical partners to develop biomarker-driven early-phase clinical trials based on the projects findings.

Job-ID: V000015916

Field of application: Nationales Centrum für Tumorerkrankungen (NCT)

Location: Heidelberg

Job Category: Science and teaching

Working hours: Part time (25,03 Wochenstunden)

Published: 16.07.2026

Limitation:Temporary (36 Monate)

Contract:TV UK

Your Tasks

Generation and characterization of patient-derived organoids

Drug response and combination therapy screening

CRISPR-based functional genomic screens

Bioinformatic analysis of genomic and transcriptomic datasets

Integration of multi-omics data to identify predictive biomarkers

Your Profile

Masters degree in Biology, Molecular Medicine, Biotechnology, Bioinformatics, Computational Biology or a related discipline

Strong interest in translational cancer research

Experience in molecular biology and/or computational biology

Programming experience (R and/or Python) is advantageous

Excellent communication skills and proficiency in English

We Offer

A fully funded 3-year PhD position

A highly translational research project with direct clinical relevance

State-of-the-art technologies, including patient-derived organoids, CRISPR functional genomics, single-cell and spatial transcriptomics, and multi-omics analyses

Close interaction with clinicians, computational biologists and experimental scientists

An international, interdisciplinary research environment at the NCT Heidelberg, University Hospital Heidelberg and DKFZ

Opportunities to contribute to the development of biomarker-driven clinical trials in collaboration with academic and industrial partners

Note: The UKHD is subject to the provisions of the Infektionsschutzgesetz. Therefore, a valid measles immunity certificate is required for all persons employed at the UKHD.

The UKHD embraces diversity and values diversity.

Regardless of age, gender, sexual identity, disability, origin or religion, we offer everyone the same opportunities. If one gender is underrepresented in a particular area, we place particular emphasis on counteracting this imbalance. If they have the same aptitude, qualifications and professional performance, we give priority to people with severe disabilities when considering them for vacancies.

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