PhD in Cancer Genetics and Early Breast Cancer Detection Using ctDNA University of Southern Denmark in Denmark

PhD opportunity in cancer genetics and early breast cancer detection using ctDNA at the University of Southern Denmark (SDU) / Odense University Hospital (OUH), Denmark.

The project is part of the international EU-funded HER-CARE Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network, focused on breast cancer with early onset in individuals with hereditary predisposition. The specific PhD project sits within Theme 2: early detection, using circulating tumor DNA (ctDNA) to discover biomarkers in patients with a genetic predisposition and to improve risk stratification and breast cancer screening.

You will join a research environment spanning the Department of Clinical Research, the Research Unit of Clinical Genetics, and the Department of Clinical Genetics, with close interdisciplinary collaboration among clinical geneticists, oncologists, bioinformaticians, commercial partners, and specialists in genome sequencing, RNA analysis, and ctDNA analysis. The work involves state-of-the-art genomic assays and comprehensive bioinformatic analysis of large and complex datasets.

Research interests and keywords include cancer genetics, breast cancer, ctDNA, biomarkers, genomics, bioinformatics, molecular genetics, data science, early detection, and clinical genetics.

Eligibility highlights: applicants should hold a relevant master’s degree (such as an MSc), must not already hold a PhD, and should have a background in bioinformatics, biomedicine, computer science, applied mathematics, molecular biology, or a related field. Experience with complex dataset analysis, DNA sequencing, and biologically oriented problem-solving is preferred. Marie Skłodowska-Curie mobility rules apply: candidates must not have lived or carried out their main activity in Denmark for more than 12 months in the 36 months before recruitment.

Funding: the position is a salaried PhD appointment under the Danish collective agreement, and the project is supported through the EU-funded doctoral network. The post mentions strong academic and clinical support from supervisors and colleagues, plus research stays at Professor Marjanka Schmidt’s group at the Netherlands Cancer Institute in Amsterdam and at industrial partner Pentabase in Odense.

Application: submit a motivated application/cover letter, CV, and academic transcript via the application portal. The posting indicates interviews are planned for week 27 and the start date is September 2026 or soon after.