Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology
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15 PhD Positions in MSCA-DN ORFeus: Decoding the Dark Proteome Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology in Netherlands
Degree Level
PhD
Field of study
Immunology
Funding
Full-time 36-month employment contracts under MSCA conditions with full social security. Funding includes a living allowance adjusted by the host country's correction coefficient, a mobility allowance, and where applicable a family allowance. Each doctoral candidate also enrolls in a PhD program and participates in secondments and network-wide training.
Deadline
Oct 22, 2026
Country
Netherlands
University
Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology
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About this position
ORFeus is a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Network coordinated by the Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology in Utrecht, Netherlands. It is recruiting 15 PhD/doctoral candidates for projects starting in March 2027.
The network focuses on the dark proteome, especially small open reading frames (smORFs) and the microproteins they encode. The research aims to discover and annotate these proteins, understand how their translation is regulated, and test their relevance for cancer and immunology.
The projects are hosted at 14 institutions across the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium, Ireland, Spain, Norway, and Switzerland. Topics span experimental and computational work, including machine learning for smORF prediction, nanopore sequencing, rare translation events, microprotein interactions, computational design of binders, lncRNA translation in neurons, evolutionary analysis of new genes, single-cell translation, thermal proteome profiling, cancer antigens, genetic variation in smORFs, neoepitopes, CRISPR screens, and HLA presentation of cryptic peptides.
Funding is provided through MSCA conditions: full-time 36-month employment contracts with full social security, a living allowance, a mobility allowance, and possibly a family allowance. Candidates also join a PhD program, complete a secondment with an industry or research partner, and take part in network-wide training, schools, workshops, and conferences.
Applicants should hold a master's degree or equivalent in molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, bioinformatics, computational biology, computer science, immunology, or a related field. MSCA mobility and degree eligibility rules apply, including no doctoral degree and limited prior residence in the host country. Applicants of any nationality may apply.
The deadline is 22 October 2026 at 23:59 CET. Candidates can apply to up to three projects through the application link provided in the posting.
Funding details
Full-time 36-month employment contracts under MSCA conditions with full social security. Funding includes a living allowance adjusted by the host country's correction coefficient, a mobility allowance, and where applicable a family allowance. Each doctoral candidate also enrolls in a PhD program and participates in secondments and network-wide training.
What's required
Applicants must have a master's degree or equivalent in molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, bioinformatics, computational biology, computer science, immunology, or a related field. MSCA eligibility rules apply: candidates must not already hold a doctoral degree and must have spent no more than 12 months in the host country during the 36 months before recruitment. Any nationality may apply.
How to apply
Apply via the application link on the posting. Candidates may apply to up to three projects. Review the full project descriptions, supervisor details, eligibility information, and application form before submitting.
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