The Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Clinical Immunology, headed by Professor Dr. med. Arndt Borkhardt (PIs: Dr.me d. Triantafyllia Brozou, Dr. rer. nat. Sanil Bhatia and Dr. Tobias Reiff) at University Hospital Düsseldorf is seeking two PhD students (f/m/d) to join our team of excellent and passionate scientists in Düsseldorf, one of the most vibrant and well-connected cities in the center of Europe.
The PhD projects will deal with different aspects of the pathogenesis of hyperdiploid acute lymphoblastic leukemia (HD-ALL), which is the most frequent genetic leukemia subtype in children. This year, we demonstrated e.g. that germline RAS/MAPK activation by loss-of-function mutations in the negative upstream regulator LZTR1 can predispose children to HD-ALL (Zipper et al. Hyperdiploid acute lymphoblastic leukemia in children with LZTR1 germline variants. Hemasphere. 2024 Jan 26;8(1):e26. doi: 10.1002/hem3.26. PMID: 38434521; PMCID: PMC10878188. Join us and make a difference!
Work with leading experts on pediatric hyperdiploid acute lymphoblastic leukemia, uncover novel molecular pathomechanisms and contribute to the development of new therapy approaches
Profit from a highly interdisciplinary research environment with three recognized group leaders from basic science to bedside (Dr. Triantafyllia Brozou & Dr. Sanil Bhatia, Medical Faculty Düsseldorf and Dr. Tobias Reiff, Institute of Genetics, HHU Düsseldorf) focussing on the Dusseldorf TRIO (family) exome sequencing study (whole exome sequencing, WES), deep clinical phenotyping, molecular drug design, preclinical in vitro and in vivo testing of novel therapeutics and Drosophila avatar generation enabling tracking of chromosomal segregation driving leukemogenesis.
For further details please visit: Klinik für Kinder-Onkologie, -Hämatologie und Klinische Immunologie ǀ UKD (uniklinik-duesseldorf.de) and https://www.genetics.hhu.de/en/research-rg-reiff.html. We invite highly motivated and self-driven students of Biology, Biochemistry or related disciplines with laboratory experience and skills for teamwork to apply.
Experiences in the following techniques are advantageous but not mandatory:
Genome editing using CRISPR/Cas9 technique
Computational analysis of data (WES)
Single-cell sequencing (Tapestri), FISH
Cell culture of human cells, e.g. fibroblasts, EBV-transformed B-cells, hIPSCs
Drosophila genetics and handling
We offer two PhD positions for an initial period of three years with the option of extension. The position will be remunerated according to group 13 TV-L. Applications from women are expressly encouraged. Women with equal aptitude, qualifications and professional performance will be given preferential consideration, unless reasons relating to the person of a competitor prevail. Disabled applicants will be given preferential consideration if equally qualified.
You will benefit from
An excellent collaborative project, which addresses how germline mutations trigger chromosomal missegregation in childhood ALL causing a cancer hallmark: aneuploidy
Highly motivated and skilled experts teaming up for this project
Access to advanced genomic & gene editing technologies and translational approaches
Patient-derived ‘avatar’ ALL modelling in the Drosophila model
Advanced training, mentoring and networking opportunities incl. workshops & soft skill courses
Structured PhD programme and thesis advisory committees
Participation of seminar series and international symposia