PhD Student for Microbiome Research (Colorectal Cancer)

„Research for a life without cancer“ is our mission at the German Cancer Research Center. We investigate how cancer develops, identify cancer risk factors and look for new cancer prevention strategies. We develop new methods with which tumors can be diagnosed more precisely and cancer patients can be treated more successfully. Every contribution counts – whether in research, administration or infrastructure. This is what makes our daily work so meaningful and exciting.

The Division of Clinical Epidemiology and Aging Research is seeking a PhD Student for Microbiome Research (Colorectal Cancer).

Reference number: 2024-0312 

The Division of Clinical Epidemiology and Aging Research at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) is looking for a PhD student for a project funded by the MiCCrobioTAckle Network, a Marie Sklodowska-Curie Action (MSCA) Doctoral Network focused on training doctoral candidates across disciplines and sectors to advance microbiota medicine as a new clinical approach to treat diseases, offer personalized, targeted, and preventive approaches to healthcare.

MiCCrobioTAckle is a European consortium that aims to advance microbiota medicine research and clinical application ("Advancing Research at the Intersection Between Gut Microbiota and Cancer Cachexia to Train Europe’s Future Leaders in Microbiota Medicine"). The network joins leading researchers and entrepreneurs from across 7 European research centers to train 12 doctoral candidates across disciplines and sectors.

In our project ("Cachexia-related gut microbiota in colorectal cancer and associations with determinants and health-related outcomes"), the aim will be to characterize cancer cachexia in colorectal cancer and to investigate clinically relevant microbiome traits in cachexia patients with colorectal cancer. The doctoral candidate will help coordinating an ongoing longitudinal study of colorectal cancer patients and gut microbiome characterization, and explore associations with detailed demographic, lifestyle and clinical records, as well as health-related outcomes. The thesis will include conduction of a systematic review and analyses based on available clinical, epidemiological, and gut microbiome data from the MIRANDA study. No wet lab work required.

• Master's degree in epidemiology, public health, medicine, pathology, biostatistics, bioinformatics, natural or life sciences
• Experience in the analysis of gut microbiome or multi-omics data is desired
• You enjoy team-based and goal-oriented epidemiological research
• Good knowledge of statistics and epidemiological data analysis
• Ability to work independently and reliably
• Very good knowledge of English

• Excellent framework conditions: state-of-the-art equipment and oppor­tunities for inter­national networking at the highest level
• Access to international research networks
• Doctoral salary with the usual social benefits
• 30 days of vacation per year
• Flexible working hours
• Possibility of part-time work
• Family-friendly working environ­ment
• Sustainable travel to work: subsidized Germany job ticket
• Unleash your full potential: targeted training and mentoring through the DKFZ International PhD Program and DKFZ Career Service
• Our Corporate Health Manage­ment Program offers a holistic approach to your well-being