PhD position

PhD in basic and translational cancer research; 3 years (f/m/d)

The neurosurgery research lab at the Medical University of Vienna, Department of Neurosurgery, is looking for a highly motivated PhD student to perform their thesis focusing on childhood brain cancer research. The successful applicant must enroll in the Malignant Diseases N094 PhD program of the Medical University of Vienna and will be supervised by Lisa Gabler, PhD. This project is a collaboration project between different departments of the Medical University of Vienna, the Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA, and the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, USA. The applicant should have a background in computational biology. Interest in performing wet lab experiments is highly encouraged.

Research Area

Tumors of the central nervous system are the deadliest cancers in children and adolescents aged 0-14 years. Medulloblastomas are high-risk, primarily pediatric tumors, usually localized in the cerebellum. Medulloblastomas are classified into distinct subgroups and subtypes based on molecular parameters. Using single-cell transcriptomics, Hovestadt et al. (Nature 2019) have identified subgroup-specific intratumoral heterogeneity, comprising different malignant cell populations. The biological relevance of their coexistence within individual tumors remains unclear. Furthermore, it needs to be clarified how these cell types interact in every consensus molecular subgroup to promote tumor growth.

In this project we will aim to disentangle cell-cell communication networks using single-cell RNA sequencing data to better understand cellular functions in the context of a multi-cellular tumor. Candidate communications, which will be identified based on in silico approaches, will be validated by genetic or pharmacological perturbation experiments in cell culture or mouse xenograft models. Additional cell biological/molecular biological wet-lab experiments in frame of the thesis will primarily be led by the lab’s research technician. However, interest in performing wet lab experiments is encouraged based on capacity.

Requirements

• Master/s in Bioinformatics, Systems Biology, Computational Science, Molecular Precision Medicine, (Molecular) Biology, Genetics, or a related discipline.

• A successful applicant must enroll in the Malignant Diseases N094 PhD program of the Medical University of Vienna.

• Experience in preprocessing genomics data and downstream analyses (using R language / python).

• Experience in working on multiple servers and cloud computing is a plus.

• Experience in the field of cancer research is a plus.

• Performing wet lab experiments is encouraged at different extents depending on capacity.

• High level of self-motivation, curiosity, and drive to collaborate within a multi-disciplinary team.

• Flexible thinking and creative mind.

• Proactive approach to discussing and addressing research questions.

• Excellent presentation skills.

• Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English.

We offer

• A fully sponsored PhD thesis position (3 years) (salary is gross 2,458 for 30h/week) in an internationally competitive research cooperation between the Department of Neurosurgery and CCR located at the Vienna Medical Campus.

• A highly diversified project (including computational biology components and wet lab experiments).

• Possibility to collaborate and network with teams at Dana Farber Cancer Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA, and the St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, US.

• A highly supportive, friendly, and inspiring lab team atmosphere.

• Access to a rich repertoire of state-of-the-art computational biology tools and cancer biology technologies via the Department of Neurosurgery and CCR.

• Exceptional opportunities for scientific growth and interaction in weekly seminars and regular project discussions.

• Active participation at (inter-)national field-specific conferences.

Application Details

Please prepare your application in English, containing:

•Curriculum vitae

• Letter of motivation

• Diploma and transcripts

Please send your application documents (subject: 11511/23 until December 27th, 2023) to bewerbungen(at)meduniwien.ac.at

Or by post mail to:

Medizinische Universität Wien

Abteilung Personal und Personalentwicklung

1090 Wien, Spitalgasse 23

Please, find the link to the job opening here:

https://www.meduniwien.ac.at/web/karriere/offene-stellen/personalmitteilungsblatt-nr49-4/nr49-neurochirurgie-kennzahl-11511/23/