Master Thesis in Cancer Research / Immunology

A Master Thesis Position in “Cancer Research / Immunology” is available at the Center for Cancer Research (Medical University of Vienna). Suggested starting date: October/November 2025.

Research Area:

The Herndler-Brandstetter Lab (https://krebsforschung.meduniwien.ac.at/en/focus/tumor-biology/herndler-brandstetter-lab/) is using highly innovative humanized mouse models (NSG, MISTRG-6) and patient-derived tumor xenografts (PDXs) to investigate the functional significance of human colorectal cancer heterogeneity (tumor growth, metastasis, tumor-immune interactions) in order to identify novel targets that can then be tested and studied in our PDX models.

Publications:

+ Herndler-Brandstetter et al., Immunity, 2018 https://doi.org/10.1016/j.immuni.2018.03.015

+ Ring, Herndler-Brandstetter et al., PNAS, 2017 https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1710877114

+ Herndler-Brandstetter et al., PNAS, 2017 https://doi.org/10.1073/pnas.1705301114

+ Chen et al., Modeling the Tumor Microenvironment and Cancer Immunotherapy in Next-Generation Humanized Mice, Cancers, 2023 https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers15112989

+ Stecher et al., Nature Communications, in press

+ Chen et al., Molecular Therapy Methods Clin Dev, in press

Requirements:

- Bachelor in biology, biotechnology, immunology, pharmacy or a related discipline

- High level of self-motivation, curiosity and collaborative mindset

- High accuracy in scientific work and excellent communication skills (English)

- Proactive approach to discussing and addressing research questions

- Work experience is a plus (e.g., flow cytometry, mouse handling, microscopy)

We offer:

- A Master Thesis Position in an internationally competitive research environment at the Center for Cancer Research located at the Vienna Medical Campus

- A supportive lab team atmosphere and access to state-of-the-art technologies (PDX collection, humanized mouse models, RNA-seq, WES, spatial transcriptomics, multiplexed imaging, 30-color flow cytometry, cell sorting)

- A stipend for the 12 months of the Master Thesis

Application Details: Applications should be written in English and contain:

- Curriculum vitae & letter of motivation

- Synopsis of your bachelor thesis (max. 1 page)

- Transcripts (a list of all courses including grades; Master – until now; Bachelor; Matura & final High School year)

- Name and contact details of your Bachelor or Internship supervisor

Application Deadline: 06.06.2025

Please send your application documents in one single PDF file (up to 10 MB) to Dr. Dietmar Herndler-Brandstetter: dietmar.herndler-brandstetter(at)meduniwien.ac.at.