PhD Student (mfd) in Experimental Pediatric Brain Tumor Research

Universitätsklinikum Augsburg; Augsburg; Vor Ort; EUR 40.000 - 60.000; Teilzeit

Zusammenfassung

A major academic medical center in Augsburg is seeking a motivated PhD student to conduct experimental research in pediatric brain tumors. In this role, you will implement a Bavarian-wide liquid biopsy study, measure tumor burden, and analyze tumor samples. Ideal candidates will have a Master's in Biology or similar, experience with molecular biology techniques, and familiarity with programming. The position offers competitive benefits and a collaborative research environment.

Leistungen

Employee benefits in various companies

Support in academic profile generation

Possibility to work in a rapidly evolving community

Qualifikationen

• Familiarity with modern molecular biology techniques.
• Knowledge of bioinformatics methodologies.
• Wet-lab experience during the Master's thesis.

Aufgaben

• Lead implementation of liquid biopsy study funded by BZKF.
• Measure tumor burden in the CSF of brain tumor patients.
• Characterize cellular compartment of CSF by single nucleus transcriptome sequencing.

Kenntnisse

Molecular biology techniques

Programming languages (Python, R)

Collaboration in interdisciplinary teams

Ausbildung

Master of Science in Biology or related field

Tools

CRISPR-Cas9

Western blotting

Jobbeschreibung

The Childrens Hospital Augsburg (Swabian Childrens Cancer Center) and the University of Augsburg (Biomedical Informatics Data Mining and Data Analytics) are looking for a PhD student (m / f / d) in experimental pediatric brain tumor research. The position is available from 01.01.2026 and is limited to three years.

In the last years cutting‑edge tumor characterization techniques for tumors have evolved at an unprecedented pace and we have now the opportunity to study tumor composition down to the single cell level. Our group is exploring the genetic hallmarks and evolution of pediatric brain tumors (including rhabdoid tumors and other embryonal tumors).

Recently we have performed integrative large‑scale multi‑omic characterizations of pediatric rhabdoid tumors (Johann et al. Cancer Cell 2016; Erkek Johann et al Cancer Cell 2019 Fincke et al. Clin. Can Res. 2023 Mucha et al. Comm Med. 2025) and are now aiming to expand these techniques to other SMARCB1‑deficient tumors. Furthermore to facilitate the translation of the results back to the clinic another branch of research in our group deals with measuring tumor burden by using liquid biopsies from brain tumor patients. To handle both the experimental and the computational part of this project we are looking for a highly‑motivated PhD student who is able to work at the interface of molecular biology epigenetics and computational biology.

As part of the University Hospital Augsburg (UKA) we are part of a rapidly growing academic centre. The UKA is a large‑scale care provider with 1699 patient beds in 22 clinics and approximately 2800 employees. Scientifically the hospital is member of the NCT‑WERA cooperation and thus one location of the NCT (national centre for tumour diseases).

We are looking for a motivated PhD student with a keen interest in paediatric oncology who is familiar with various basic and state‑of‑the‑art molecular biology techniques (including CRISPR‑Cas9 cloning, Western blotting and others). Knowledge of programming languages such as Python or R is helpful but not mandatory.

The successful applicant will :

• take the lead in implementing a Bavarian‑wide liquid biopsy study (funded by the BZKF Bavarian Centre for Cancer Research)
• compare different methods to measure tumour burden in the CSF of brain tumour patients
• characterise the cellular compartment of the CSF by single nucleus transcriptome sequencing
• take part in other projects seeking to unravel the basis of rare paediatric brain tumours (e.g. modelling the impact of DICER1 mutations)
• Graduate with a Master of Science in biology, cancer biology, genetics, bioinformatics or a related field (with demonstrated experience in both bioinformatics and experimental work)
• Previous wet‑lab experience during the Masters thesis is helpful
• Ability to collaborate and communicate within interdisciplinary teams (in German or English)
• Be available to start the PhD thesis as soon as possible (beginning in early 2026)
• Joint appointment at the University of Augsburg (Prof. Dr. M. Schlesner Computational Biology) and the University Hospital (Prof. Dr. P. Johann) and integration into both a clinical/experimental and a computational working group
• The possibility to work on your PhD thesis in a rapidly evolving community
• The opportunity to learn a wide variety of experimental and computational methods
• Support in generating an own academic profile
• Employee benefits in various companies
• The grouping takes place in TV‑L taking into account your qualifications and personal requirements including the social benefits customary in the public service (company pension, annual special payment)

For further questions please refer to Prof. Dr. Pascal Johann ().

Please submit your application as soon as possible, latest at the 30th of November 2025.

We look forward to you!

The position is suitable for people with severe disabilities. Applicants (m / f / d) with severe disabilities will be preferred if they are essentially the same aptitude, ability and professional performance. Women are invited to apply in accordance with Article 7 (3) BayGlG. When starting work at the Augsburg University Hospital proof of sufficient immune protection in accordance with 23, 23a IfSG must be presented or the same must be met.

Key Skills

Logistics & Procurement, Community Support, Fire And Safety Engineering, Informatica, Data Analysis

Employment Type: Part‑Time

Experience: years

Vacancy: 1