PhD position (f/m/d) in Pediatric Cancer Initiation

PhD position (f/m/d) in Pediatric Cancer Initiation

  • St. Anna Children's Cancer Research Institute (CCRI)
  • Austria
  • Salary:

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Are you looking for a PhD project that combines cutting-edge human stem cell models, stem cell engineering, and multi-omic approaches? In our group, we have all of this and more, applying it to the pressing questions of pediatric cancer oncology! Here is your chance to contribute to science that makes a difference!



Polina Kameneva has recently established her research group at the St. Anna Children’s Cancer Research Institute (St. Anna CCRI) and is currently recruiting 2 PhD students interested in research at the intersection of developmental biology and cancer initiation for new projects funded by the Austrian Science Fund (FWF) START grant and the private foundation Paradifference.

Several research projects aim to investigate the onset of cancer transformation using human stem cell models engineered to control the acquisition of mutational hits. The lab aims to engineer cells for mutation initiation and, with these tools, uncover the very early transformations of gene regulatory networks in developing cells that reroute them from the normal differentiation path and turn them into the first cancer cells. The group aims to find and characterize the oncogenically vulnerable and resistant cellular states and look for ways to reduce the risk of pediatric cancer initiation.

Polina Kameneva has a strong background in the developmental biology of peripheral nervous systems and adrenal glands (Kameneva, Artemov et al., Nat. Genet, 2021; Kameneva, Artemov et al., Cancer Cell, 2021; Kameneva, Melnikova et al., Nat. Com, 2022). The initial focus of the projects will be on adrenal gland-associated malignancies: pediatric neuroblastoma, and rare pediatric and adolescent tumors pheochromocytoma and paraganglioma.

Find more information about:

Polina’s research interests https://ccri.at/research-group/kameneva-group/

and Polina herself https://journals.biologists.com/dev/article/150/17/dev202261/326596/Pathway-to-Independence-an-interview-with-Polina
FWF START project: https://scilog.fwf.ac.at/en/magazine/how-a-mutation-becomes-cancer

As a PhD Student, you will

  • Work on ambitious interdisciplinary research projects modeling pediatric tumor initiation with human stem cell models
  • Contribute from the start, including planning experiments, data acquisition, analysis, and presentation of results
  • Provide thorough and creative thinking to ensure the success of these projects
  • Monitor the literature and community resources to stay updated on the latest developments and identify information, data, and methods to integrate into your work
  • Present your research at local seminars and international conferences, write papers, apply for fellowships, and contribute to grants

Your profile

What you bring for this position:

  • Master’s degree in a relevant subject (e.g., molecular biology, cancer, genetics, developmental biology)
  • Excellent technical skills: cell culture, human pluripotent stem cells are a plus, molecular biology (gene editing/CRISPR is a plus), immunofluorescence, confocal imaging, image analysis, FACS, familiarity with single-cell omics and related computational skills is a plus
  • Motivation to pursue an ambitious research agenda
  • Enthusiasm, determination, creativity, scientific curiosity, and a desire to learn
  • Ability to work both in a team and individually, committed to the success of the project with a proactive problem-solving attitude
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills in English (German not required)

Our offer

Does this sound interesting? This is our offer to you:

  • An exciting, multi-disciplinary environment with strong support for your personal and professional development from your supervisor, team, and peers
  • An outstanding working atmosphere in a young and dynamic team
  • Access to state-of-the-art infrastructure
  • Flexible working hours, discounted lunch, and other great benefits
  • Great location in the center of Vienna. Vienna ranks as the most livable city multiple years in a row with attractive prices for accommodation, transport, food, and excellent and diverse recreational options.
  • An attractive salary package according to the Austrian Science Fund FWF (https://www.fwf.ac.at/en/funding/steps-to-your-fwf-project/further-information/personnel-costs)

Who we are

The St. Anna Children’s Cancer Research Institute (St. Anna CCRI), located in the center of Vienna, the most livable city in the world and one of the most important sites for biomedical research in Europe. St. Anna CCRI is a multidisciplinary and internationally networked center of excellence whose goal is to contribute to a sustainable improvement in the cure rates of childhood and adolescent cancers through innovative research and development. Due to the close cooperation between clinic and research, St. Anna CCRI offers the ideal environment for cutting-edge research at a high international level and its implementation in clinical practice.

St. Anna CCRI is an equal opportunity employer. We value diversity and are committed to providing a work environment of mutual respect to everyone without regard to race, colour, religion, national origin, age, gender identity or expression, disability, or any other characteristic protected by applicable laws, regulations, and ordinances.

Find more information here: https://ccri.at/

Your application

Your application should contain all the documents listed below:

  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Motivation statement – max 200 words (shorter is not a problem)
  • Short research essay – max 1000 words, not counting references (shorter is not a problem) for any of the topics:
    - Pediatric tumor cell-of-origin: lessons from animal models and single-cell omics research
    - Why pediatric cancer is different from adult cancer and needs special research efforts?
    - What makes developmental cell states potentially competent for pediatric tumor initiation?
  • Academic transcripts
  • Contact details of two references

All parts are mandatory! We kindly ask you to submit the motivation statement, short research essay, and the contact details as one PDF file.

The application deadline is 22.09.2024. The applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. We aim to fill the positions quickly; therefore, the interviews will be organized throughout September and the beginning of October. We are looking forward to your application!

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Job Overview

PhD position (f/m/d) in Pediatric Cancer Initiation