“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.

Together with university partners at seven renowned partner sites, the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) has established the German Cancer Consortium (DKTK).

For the DKTK partner site Munich, we are seeking for the next possible date a PhD Student in Mutational Processes Driving Somatic Evolution.

From cigarette smoke and UV radiation to chemotherapeutic cancer treatments, the cells in our bodies are constantly struck by exogenous agents that damage our DNA. The processes that evolved to repair and tolerate damage are responsible for many of the mutations that cause cancer and treatment resistance. But their dynamics, the molecular machinery involved, and their role in disease are still poorly understood. This is where you come in.

The newly established Cancer Systems Biology lab of Dr. Craig Anderson is searching for an enthusiastic PhD student to play a principal role in understanding how DNA damage leads to mutational heterogeneity across our bodies and over the course of our lives.
The lab is situated in the Department of Translational Oncology at the DKTK partner site at the LMU Klinikum, Munich. DKTK is a multi-location collaboration between DKFZ and leading university medical centres, so you stand to benefit from the combined opportunities that come from being part of some of Germany’s finest research institutes.

Munich itself is a beautiful and centrally located city, offering all the trappings of a modern lifestyle. It provides easy access to other cities and green spaces across the region, regularly scoring highly across indices for happiness and quality of life.

Relevant work:
Anderson CJ et al. Strand-resolved mutagenicity of DNA damage and repair. 2024. Nature 630: 744. doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-07490-1

Nicholson MD, Anderson CJ, et al. DNA lesion bypass and the stochastic dynamics of transcription coupled repair. 2024. PNAS 121: 20. doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2403871121

Aitken SJ, Anderson CJ, et al. Pervasive lesion segregation shapes cancer genome evolution. 2020. Nature, 582: 7815. doi.org/10.1038/s41586-020-2435-1

Get in touch to find out more, or apply today!

You will benefit from:

• Access to world-class training and mentorship
• Involvement in cutting-edge research
• Opportunities to contribute towards publication and peer review
• Dedicated funding for international conference attendance
• A supportive, flexible and collaborative working environment

Dr. Anderson has been a central figure in the discovery that DNA damage is heritable, and you’ll build on this work by using molecular methods to unravel the forces that modulate mutagenesis across the genome of mutagen-exposed cancer cells. You’ll be introduced to advanced statistical and computational methods for analysis of the data you create. Your findings will be a vital part of understanding the evolution of cancer drug resistance in cell models and in patients.

• You’re excited about our research-driven to take a deep dive into the unknown.
• You’re extremely capable, using creativity and ingenuity to rise to new challenges.
• You’ve got an excellent M.Sc. degree in cancer genetics, molecular biology, or similar.
• You have laboratory experience and an interest in developing your bioinformatic skills.
• You have very good written and oral communication skills in English.

Requirements:

The position requires an excellent understanding of molecular biology, with demonstrable experience in the use of CRISPR in mouse or human cells. You must be capable of working independently to confidently manage your own day-to-day research across laboratory experiments and bioinformatic analyses concurrently.  You should be able to show evidence of working collaboratively, with respect for diversity among your colleagues and the institutional positions held. The working language in the lab is English, and you must have an outstanding ability to communicate with your colleagues in the department. You also need to communicate your research clearly through publication, in meetings, with collaborators, and in presentations at national and international conferences. You should see the value in working safely and in maintaining accurate records. Above all, you need to have a can-do attitude driving you to learn, adapt and succeed.  

Desirable skills or willingness to learn to include:
Toxicant exposure; experience in short- and long-read sequencing; computational and statistical analyses; a good mechanistic understanding of how cells replicate their DNA and respond to DNA damage.

• 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

Dr. Craig Anderson
Telefon: +49 89 4400-43962

The position is initially limited to 3 years.

Application Deadline: 10.09.2025

Applications by e-mail cannot be accepted.

Are you interested?
Then become part of the DKFZ and join us in contributing to a life without cancer!

We are convinced that an innovative research and working environment thrives on the diversity of its employees. Therefore, we welcome applications from talented people, regardless of gender, cultural background, nationality, ethnicity, sexual identity, physical ability, religion and age. People with severe disabilities are given preference if they have the same aptitude.

Notice: We are subject to the regulations of the Infection Protection Act (IfSG). Therefore, all our employees must provide proof of immunity against measles.

Deutsches Krebsforschungszentrum | Im Neuenheimer Feld 280 | 69120 Heidelberg | www.dkfz.de