The German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) is one of Europe’s largest cancer research centers. “Research for a life without cancer" is the mission of our world-class scientists and all our team members.

The DKFZ is a place where the brightest minds pursue bold ideas and seek answers to pioneering scientific questions through collaboration, innovation, and exploration across many disciplines. We provide a dynamic environment which empowers excellence with state-of-the-art technologies, cutting edge infrastructure, and a global scientific network.

Contribute your knowledge, vision, and dedication to create a space where scientific discovery in cancer research is transformed into benefits for human health.

Together with university partners at seven renowned partner sites, we have established the German Cancer Consortium (DKTK).

The Institute of Translational Cancer Research and Experimental Cancer Therapy (headed by Prof. Dr. Dieter Saur) at the DKTK partner site Munich is offering for the next possible date a

PhD Student Position for the DKTK Joint Funding Project "BACTORG: Organoid co-cultures of the Cancer Microbiome"

Reference number: 2025-0271

• München
• Full-time
• DKTK partner site Munich – Institute of Translational Cancer Research and Experimental Cancer Therapy, TUM

The Saur Lab is deploying advanced organoid co-culture systems and in vivo models in combination with cell state and mutation reporters and single-cell technologies with spatial readouts to study the impact of intestinal microbes and their metabolites on colon cancer initiation, progression and therapy response. Our lab has generated a comprehensive resource of cancer specimens and primary organoid cell cultures, which have been characterized at the genomic, transcriptomic, and proteomic levels to elucidate the molecular makeup and phenotypes of these tumors. The advertised project focuses on a comprehensive analysis of the mechanisms by which bacterial species and their metabolites impact mutation accumulation, signaling, and therapy response of colon cancer subtypes. For this, we will make use of sophisticated co-culture models including bacteria and bacterial culture supernatants, coupled to a variety of functional and phenotypic assays. Findings from these studies will be validated in vivo in animal models and incorporated into an integrated analysis framework relating the experimental data back to clinical datasets.
We are an enthusiastic and international team and offer intensive training and mentoring.

Your Tasks

The successful candidate will have the opportunity to:

• Gain important insights into clinically relevant aspects of cancer development and therapy
• Perform state-of-the-art in vitro organoid and in vivo experiments with single-cell readouts
• Apply a wide spectrum of genetic, molecular, and cell biology, biochemical as well as micobial and bioinformatics techniques to study translational aspects of colon cancer (e.g., Cre/loxP and Flp/FRT-based dual and triple recombinase systems, orthotopic organoid transplantations, CRISPR/Cas9, quantitative proteomics / phosphoproteomics, multiple transcriptomics and genomics approaches, single-cell sequencing and imaging, histocytometry)
• Use advanced bioinformatics platforms for the analysis of single-cell RNA sequencing datasets and integrate these datasets with existing molecular (WES, WGBS, lcWGS), phenotypic (e.g., histology), drug screening, and clinical information
• Interact within a diverse and multidisciplinary environment of biologists, clinicians, computational scientists, and mathematicians within the TranslaTUM

Your Profile

We are looking for exceptional, self-motivated, bright individuals with a diploma or master’s degree in bioinformatics, biochemistry, biology, molecular / translational medicine, or related subjects. Previous exposure to and experience with basic biochemical and molecular biology techniques, proteomics, or bioinformatics, as well as interest in molecular aspects of cancer research, are essential. Due to the interdisciplinary framework and close collaboration between wet-lab and computational scientists, good communicative skills in English are essential. German language skills are not required.

Interested candidates are requested to submit their application in a PDF file with CV, cover letter, certificates, and letters of recommendation via our online application tool.

We Offer

• Excellent framework conditions: state-of-the-art equipment and oppor­tunities for inter­national networking at the highest level
• Access to international research networks
• Doctoral salary with the usual social benefits
• 30 days of vacation per year
• Flexible working hours
• Possibility of part-time work
• Family-friendly working environ­ment
• Sustainable travel to work: subsidized Germany job ticket
• Unleash your full potential: targeted training and mentoring through the DKFZ International PhD Program and DKFZ Career Service
• Our Corporate Health Manage­ment Program offers a holistic approach to your well-being

Contact:
Prof. Dr. Dieter Saur
Phone: +49 89 4140 9130

The position is initially limited to 3 years.

Application Deadline: 12.11.2025
Applications by e-mail cannot be accepted.
Please also note that we cannot return applications submitted by post.

Are you interested?

Then become part of the DKFZ and join us in contributing to a life without cancer!

We are convinced that an innovative research and working environment thrives on the diversity of its employees. Therefore, we welcome applications from talented people, regardless of gender, cultural background, nationality, ethnicity, sexual identity, physical ability, religion and age. People with severe disabilities are given preference if they have the same aptitude.

Notice: We are subject to the regulations of the Infection Protection Act (IfSG). Therefore, all our employees must provide proof of immunity against measles.

Share this job!

Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum | Im Neuenheimer Feld 280 | 69120 Heidelberg | www.dkfz.de