“Never stopping to ask questions is crucial.”

Doctoral Researcher Position in Tumor Biology focusing on Tumor Microenvironment (m/f/d)

The Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy, Georg-Speyer-Haus in Frankfurt am Main is an academic non-profit research institute supported by the Federal Ministry of Health and the Ministry for Sciences and Arts of the State of Hessen. The institute is dedicated to basic and translational cancer research in the context of the tumor microenvironment and closely cooperates with the Goethe University Frankfurt and the Frankfurt University Hospital. It provides access to a broad variety of core facilities and an excellent scientific environment.

The LOEWE Center Frankfurt Cancer Institute (FCI) is a research association where interdisciplinary teams work together to elucidate molecular mechanisms of tumor pathogenesis and therapy response to develop innovative targeted therapies.

We are seeking a highly motivated, curious, and proactive Doctoral Researcher who will become a part of the research team headed by Dr. Mélanie Tichet at the Georg-Speyer-Haus Institute for Tumor Biology and Experimental Therapy.

Your project is centered on characterizing suppressive myeloid cells in the tumor and investigating their role in response to therapy to identify actionable, mechanism-based strategies for their remodeling to facilitate immune attack and anti-tumor responses. You will work with preclinical invivo models, isolate immune cells in vitro , and perform coculture assays and flow cytometry, among other techniques. Additionally, applicants will participate in weekly lab meetings and journal clubs within the vibrant scientific environment of the GSH.

Our group focuses on identifying and understanding the microenvironment-mediated mechanisms of therapeutic resistance and tumor recurrence by employing a wide array of molecular biology, biochemistry, and in vivo approaches. Our lab aims to identify and comprehend the immunoregulatory mechanisms within the TME that suppress T cell immunity at the cellular and molecular levels to improve therapeutic strategies employing state-of-the-art preclinical in vivo cancer models (melanoma, pancreatic cancer, and glioma).

BSc. or MSc. degree in life sciences or biotechnology
A strong interest in cancer immunology, previous expertise in cancer research is a plus
High level of motivation, curiosity, communication, proactivity, and learning skills
Willing to promote a highly collaborative environment
Organizational skills and a cooperative attitude
Your spoken and written English is excellent. English is the working language in the lab and institute.

We offer

Development of a scientific profile
Integration into structures at the FCI
Participation in further training and qualification programs
Support in methodological developments and full guidance
Stimulating, highly collaborative, and friendly atmosphere
An outstanding international cancer research environment – with a special emphasis on tumor microenvironment and tumor immunology
Flexible working hours as part of the good work-and-family life balance
A salary in accordance with the agreement for the public service of the state of Hesse (E13, 65%) with all the usual social benefits, which is available for 3 years with the option for extension

Interested?

Applications should be submitted electronically to bewerbung@georg-speyer-haus.de as a single PDF containing a cover letter, a CV, two letters of recommendation (with contact information), and certificates.

Our international working environment promotes equal opportunities for all staff regardless of gender, age, cultural background, nationality or impairments under criteria of scientific excellence. Applications from women are explicitly welcome. Disabled individuals will be preferred in case of equal qualification.

For Information about the Georg-Speyer-Haus please visit our homepage . For more information about the FCI please visit our FCI homepage.

Cancer is marked by dysregulation of the signaling pathways that orchestrate proliferation, cell death, tumor-promoting inflammation, and bioenergetic pathways. Our studies focus on elucidating the host and tumor energy metabolism in pancreatic and intestinal cancer, delineating the critical alterations that take place during disease and therapy, and targeting the metabolic vulnerability of tumor cells genetically or pharmacologically in relevant preclinical models using; mouse and 3D organoids, which may have a diagnostic value and can impact therapy response.

Imaging in Cancer

Late-stage presentation, inaccessible diagnosis, and resistance to therapy represent the most common causes of increased mortality in cancer patients. Our studies aim at identifying reliable biomarkers for early detection, developing approaches that target defined changes during specific stages of tumor development, progression, and therapy for bioimaging using MRI-detectable smart probes.

Diet, Microbiome, Circadian clock & Cancer

Human gut is inhabited by billions of bacteria contributing majorly to the regulation of metabolic functions and immune homeostasis. Dynamics of microbial community is critical since microbiota composition and functional profiles shape susceptibility to cancer and response to therapy. Nutrition can directly or indirectly modulate microbiome and play a decisive role in disease outcome. Our studies aim at unravelling the impact of dietary intake on microbiota structure and function during cancer and therapy. We elucidate whether precision nutrition can pave the way for individual-based interventions in cancer by regulating microbiome.

For Information about the Georg-Speyer-Haus please visit our homepage . For more information about the FCI please visit our FCI homepage.

We support your work-life balance through our deep commitment to a flexible work schedule or for the best possible options to balance your professional & family needs. Generally, you have the opportunity to work part-time. The specific details of part-time work, e.g. the on-site schedule, will of course be defined in accordance with the individual business requirements. We embrace a culture of treating people of both gender, sexual orientation, religion and origin with respect. We continuously strive to increase the number of women employees and explicitly promote the application of women. We welcome applications from severely disabled people in particular. However, we would like to encourage everyone to apply for a position at our research institute. We appreciate your application.

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