PhD Student Position in Breast Cancer Genomics and Proteomics

We are seeking a highly motivated PhD candidate to join a multidisciplinary research initiative at the intersection of proteomics, spatial transcriptomics, and breast cancer genetics. This position is a collaborative effort between two leading research laboratories: the Michiel Vermeulen lab, with strong international expertise in state-of-the-art proteomics analyses, and the team of Wilbert Zwart, with strong expertise in the field of cancer biology, hormonal regulation and epigenetics.

Project Overview

The successful candidate will work on a cutting-edge research project that is part of a national consortium involving top-tier research groups across the country. The overarching goal of the consortium is to elucidate the biological mechanisms by which genetic risk variants (SNPs) contribute to cancer development. Specifically, the project aims to:

• Dissect the functional impact of risk SNPs using integrated multi-omics approaches, including AI, advanced spatial transcriptomics, advanced genetics technologies, cancer epidemiology and mass spectrometry;

• Identify tumor-driving variants and their downstream molecular effects;

• Contribute to the development of improved polygenic risk scores for cancer prediction.

Your Role

As a PhD student, you will play a central role in this project by:

• Integrating proteomics and spatial transcriptomics datasets to investigate SNP-driven molecular alterations;

• Performing data analysis to delineate cell-type-specific eQTL effects in breast cancer tissue;

• Collaborating with bioinformaticians, molecular biologists, and epidemiologists within the consortium.

Why the Netherlands Cancer Institute?

At the Netherlands Cancer Institute, we all want the same thing: to make a difference in the world of cancer together. Quite something but not impossible. Here, science and care work together on innovation. Time and again, we find new ways to help people with cancer worldwide. Here we save lives, gain time and quality. Thanks to the latest techniques and, above all, to our finest talents who are curious, precise, warm, go-getters and team players.

Your Profile

• A Master’s degree in Molecular Biology, Biomedical Sciences, Bioinformatics, or a related field;

• A strong interest in cancer genomics, data analysis, and systems biology;

• Experience with (or willingness to learn) omics data analysis techniques;

• Excellent communication and team-working skills.
  

Your development opportunities and employment conditions

The basis for your employment conditions is in accordance with the CLA Hospitals. You will receive from us:

• A contract for a period of 4 years for 36 hours per week;

• A gross monthly salary between € 3.665,- and € 4.450,-, based on a 36-hour working week, in line with the OIO salary scale and depending on your experience;

• 144 holiday hours and 57 hours of Personal Life Budget, with full-time employment;

• Annual holiday pay of 8.33% and a fixed end-of-year bonus of 8.33%;

• A travel allowance of €0.23 per km;

• Free parking at the Netherlandse Cancer Institute. And with our bicycle plan and discount on public transport we also make it attractive for you to leave the car at home;

• A great opportunity in a specialised hospital where you can also continue to learn and grow yourself if you wish: the AVL Academy offers innovative and inspiring education in the field of oncology professional knowledge, skills and personal development;

• A highly collaborative, international, stimulating and multidisciplinary research environment;

• Access to cutting-edge technologies and data from leading national cancer studies;

• Opportunities for training, professional development, and participation in international conferences.

Interested?
Please attach your application letter, CV, and contact information for two references to the application form (link) on our website. Ensure that the reference information is included along with your cover letter, as there is no option to submit them separately. Apply by the 'Apply now' button at the bottom of the page. Take note: please respond to this vacancy only via the application button, and not via email.

The closing date is Monday, July 7th.