Publisher
source

University of Bern

PhD Student in Translational Cancer Research (SNSF project) University of Bern in Switzerland

Degree Level

PhD

Field of study

Computer Science

Funding

Fixed-term PhD employment for 3 years at 80–100% with fair compensation; the post is part of an SNSF project. No stipend amount is stated.

Deadline

Nov 15, 2026

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Country

Switzerland

University

University of Bern

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Keywords

Computer Science
Immunotherapy
Biomedical Engineering
Biology
Cancer Research
Medical Science
Dna Repair
Statistics
Solid Tumor

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About this position

PhD Student in Translational Cancer Research (SNSF project) at the University of Bern, Switzerland.

This PhD opening is hosted by the Department for BioMedical Research (DBMR) in Bern and is embedded in an interdisciplinary, multicentric team of medical oncologists, pathologists, and translational researchers. The project focuses on translational cancer research, precision oncology, DNA repair, synthetic lethality, and immunotherapy target discovery in solid tumours. The lab’s recent work identified AURKA as a synthetic lethal target in FANCA-deficient cancers, and the PhD project will validate this vulnerability in patient-derived cancer models and in vivo, search for synergistic targets using functional genomic screening, and study the tumour immune microenvironment of Fanconi anaemia pathway-deficient cancers.

The successful candidate will work with patient-derived cancer cell lines and 3D organoids, perform in vitro drug response and mechanistic assays, design and run genome-wide CRISPR/Cas9 synthetic lethality screens, analyse screening and sequencing data with bioinformatics pipelines (MAGeCK RRA/MLE, R), carry out confocal and multiplexed immunofluorescence microscopy, and contribute to xenograft and pathology studies. Results will be presented at conferences and developed into first-author manuscripts.

Eligibility highlights: applicants should have an MSc in Molecular Life Sciences, Biomedical Sciences, molecular biology, biochemistry, biotechnology, or a related field completed by the start date; ideally at least one year of lab experience. Strong mammalian cell culture skills are expected, with 3D organoid experience advantageous. Experience with western blotting, immunofluorescence, qPCR, microscopy, basic statistics, and preferably GraphPad or R is desirable. Excellent English and strong motivation for translational cancer research are required.

The position is a fixed-term PhD employment for 3 years at 80–100%. It is part of an SNSF project and offers fair compensation, strong research infrastructure, an international network, and access to cutting-edge technology.

Application deadline: 2026-11-15. Apply via the online button or send the usual documents as a PDF by email to [email protected].

Funding details

Fixed-term PhD employment for 3 years at 80–100% with fair compensation; the post is part of an SNSF project. No stipend amount is stated.

What's required

Master's degree (MSc) in Molecular Life Sciences, Cell and Molecular Biology, Biochemistry/Chemical Biology, Biomedical Sciences, molecular biology, biochemistry, biotechnology, or a related field completed by the starting date; ideally at least one full year of lab experience. Strong practical experience in mammalian cell culture is required, with 3D organoid experience an advantage. Experience with standard molecular biology and imaging techniques such as western blotting, immunofluorescence, qPCR, optical microscopy, and preferably confocal microscopy. Basic data analysis and statistics skills, with GraphPad or R as an advantage. Strong motivation for translational cancer research, ability to work collaboratively, and excellent English skills.

How to apply

Submit your application with the usual documents via the online Apply button or as a PDF by email. Send it by 2026-11-15 to [email protected].

More information can be found here

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