2 PhD student positions (m/f/d)
(1 position Group Riedel – 1 position Group Kretzschmar)

Bewerbungsfrist: 30.04.2025

The Mildred Scheel Nachwuchszentrum (MSNZ) for Cancer Research at the University and University Hospital of Würzburg is funded by the German Cancer Aid and brings together life scientists and clinicians to understand the mechanisms of tumor formation and to develop new therapeutic strategies. Our center established in 2019 is looking for enthusiastic young scientists with a background in Life Sciences who are keen to pursue PhD projects centered around the Tumor and Metastatic Microenvironment.

The centre is located at the Institute for Virology and Immunobiology at the University of Würzburg with fully equipped and modern laboratories, state-of-the-art technology, competitive funding and access to core facilities.

• Full-time appointment for 3-years, salary (TV-L E13, 65%), fixed-term, extension possible
• Enrolment in the Graduate School of Life Science with broad research and skills training
• Close collaborations with the Comprehensive Cancer Centre, the University Hospital, the Max Planck Institute for Systems Immunology and the Biocentre in Würzburg
• Würzburg is a thriving place with local recreation areas and student-friendly vibes

We welcome applications from suitably qualified people regardless of race, gender or disability. The University aims to increase the proportion of female employees, therefore applications from qualified women are particularly welcome. Preference will be given to people with disabilities in the case of otherwise equal aptitude. The working language is English, and knowledge of German can be beneficial, but it is not required.

Project #1 - Group Riedel (Metastasis, Metabolism and the Microenvironment):

The group of Angela Riedel explores cancer cell niches in systems-wide concepts to develop clinically relevant approaches to target the discovered factors. We are particularly interested to understand the principles underlying therapeutic responses and to identify potential alternative therapeutic targets within the tumor microenvironment. A main goal is to characterize the cellular cross-talk between tumor cells, cells of the immune system and the stroma.

Patients with high-risk multiple myeloma experience poor response to therapy or earlier disease relapse. We think that the course of the disease is driven by the interplay of tumor genetics and the bone marrow immune tumor microenvironment. In this project, we are interested in the metabolic mechanisms shaping the immune-cell composition and function in the bone marrow. We will decipher the T-cell metabolic state paired with single-cell RNA sequencing and metabolomics analysis.

We are thus looking for a highly motivated candidate that has an interest in combining wet lab and computational analysis. Prior knowledge of bioinformatics analysis (e.g., R, Python) is advantageous but not obligatory. Project start: June/July 2025 (a later or earlier start date can be negotiated).

More information on the group: https://www.med.uni-wuerzburg.de/msnz/research-projects/junior-research-groups/riedel-group/

Project #2 - Group Kretzschmar (Adult stem cell niche):

The group is interested in the adult stem cell niche in epithelial tissue homeostasis and cancer, using oral mucosa and head and neck cancer as model systems (Szabó et al. 2022, Semin Cell Dev Biol 144, 20-30). To map cell-cell interactions and characterize the role of bidirectional signaling within the tissue and tumor microenvironment, we use genetic lineage tracing, single-cell and spatial transcriptomics and organoid technology (Seubert et al. 2024, Stem Cell Rep 19, 1706-1719).

In this project, the candidate will use in vivo genetic tools including lineage tracing, 3D whole-mount imaging, multi-omics technology and organoids to define how oral mucosal tissues and their stem cell niches are transformed during tumorigenesis. We are therefore looking for a highly motivated candidate interested in and with robust expertise in (stem) cell and molecular biology, cancer biology, and in vivo work. Preference will be given to qualified candidates with a FELASA B certificate. Project start: June 2025 (a later or earlier start date can be negotiated).

More information on the group: https://www.med.uni-wuerzburg.de/msnz/research-projects/junior-research-groups/kretzschmar-group/

Applicants will be expected to have an excellent graduate degree in biology, biomedicine, biochemistry, computational biology, bioinformatics, or related discipline, sound knowledge and interest in cell and tumour biology, strong lab skills and a good command of the English language.

Please send your application including a reference to the respective project or group leader, a cover letter (with a statement of motivation), curriculum vitae, relevant degree certificates and academic transcripts as well as contact details of 2 independent references (one of the referees should be the Master’s thesis supervisor) as a single PDF file (max. 5 MB).

• Training and Continuing Education
• Retirement Pension Plan
• Flexible Working Hours
• Collegiality
• Sport and Fitness Options
• Employee Events
• Corporate Benefits