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The Netherlands Cancer Institute

PhD Positions in Hereditary & Early-Onset Breast Cancer Epidemiology at Netherlands Cancer Institute Netherlands Cancer Institute in Netherlands

PhD Positions in Hereditary & Early-Onset Breast Cancer Epidemiology at Netherlands Cancer Institute

The Netherlands Cancer Institute

Netherlands

Dec 31, 2025

Keywords

Data Science
Public Health
Population Genetics
Biostatistics
Biology
Computational Biology
Medical Science
Cancer Epidemiology
Cancer Genomics
Statistics
Hereditary Cancer Syndromes

Description

The Netherlands Cancer Institute (NKI) is offering three fully funded PhD positions within the HER-CARE Doctoral Network, focusing on hereditary and early-onset breast cancer epidemiology. This international program aims to advance research on genetic, immunologic, and clinical risk factors for breast cancer, integrating data-driven approaches and clinical translation. Successful candidates will join a collaborative network of academic and industrial partners, participate in two secondments (one academic and one non-academic), and benefit from a dynamic research environment with access to state-of-the-art core facilities, network-wide training, and conference opportunities. Research projects include: (1) identifying risk and protective factors for contralateral breast cancer, (2) developing predictive models and online tools for shared decision-making in risk management, and (3) characterizing genomic signatures of early-onset breast cancer. The program emphasizes interdisciplinary collaboration, innovative statistical analysis, and integration of large-scale genomic, histological, and immunological data. Applicants must hold an MSc in epidemiology, biostatistics, bioinformatics, computational biology, or a related field such as public health, population genetics, or data science. Prior experience in cancer epidemiology is preferred. Candidates must demonstrate strong academic English skills, a problem-solving mindset, interdisciplinary curiosity, and excellent communication abilities for international teamwork. Eligibility requires that candidates have not resided or been mainly active in the Netherlands for more than 12 months in the 36 months prior to recruitment, must not already possess a PhD, and must hold a Master's degree before the program starts or by September 2026. Funding includes a four-year contract, a gross monthly salary between €3,665 and €4,450, holiday and personal life budget hours, annual holiday pay, end-of-year bonus, travel allowance, free parking, and discounts on public transport. The NKI provides a vibrant, multidisciplinary research environment with opportunities for professional development and collaboration across disciplines. To apply, candidates should submit a motivation letter, CV with MSc grades and publications, and contact details of two references as a single document via the application link. The deadline for applications is December 31, 2025. Interviews will be held in January and February 2026. For questions, contact [email protected].

Funding

The positions are fully funded for four years, with a gross monthly salary between €3,665 and €4,450 based on a 36-hour work week, in line with the OIO scale and dependent on experience. Benefits include 144 holiday hours, 57 hours of Personal Life Budget, annual holiday pay of 8.33%, a fixed end-of-year bonus of 8.33%, travel allowance of €0.23 per km, free parking, and discounts on public transport. Additional support includes access to core facilities, network-wide training, conference opport

How to apply

Apply online via the provided application link. Submit a motivation letter, CV including MSc grades and publications, and contact details of two references as a single document. If you have not yet completed your MSc, include your expected graduation date. Qualified candidates will be contacted for interviews in January and February.

Requirements

Applicants must hold an MSc degree in epidemiology, biostatistics, bioinformatics, computational biology, or a closely related discipline such as public health, population genetics, or data science. Prior experience in cancer epidemiology is advantageous. Candidates must demonstrate fluency in academic English (spoken and written), possess a problem-solving attitude, interdisciplinary curiosity, and strong communication skills for international collaboration. Eligibility requires that candidates have not resided or been mainly active in the Netherlands for more than 12 months in the 36 months prior to recruitment, must not already possess a PhD degree, and must hold a Master's degree (or equivalent) before the start of the program or by September 2026. Applicants should be able to work independently and collaboratively in an international team.

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