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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
Your profile
What you bring for this position:
Our offer
Does this sound interesting? This is our offer to you:
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:
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!