The newly built M3 (Malignome, Metabolome, Microbiome) Research Center affiliated with University of Tübingen and the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ). Our laboratory “Chronic Inflammation and Cancer” led by the director of the M3 Research Institute (Tübingen) has a long-standing interest in studying pathways involved in chronic inflammation and metabolic dysregulation in cancer and inflammatory diseases, specifically MASLD dysfunction metabolism associated liver disease but also smoking induced lung cancer as well as organ cross talk in the context of hepatitis and skin desease. For example, we have contributed in the understanding of the role of adaptive and innate immunity in fatty liver disease and subsequent liver cancer (Haybeck et al., 2009 Cancer Cell, Malehmir et al, Nature Medicine 2019, Wolf et al. Cancer Cell 2014, Gallage et al., Cell Metabolism 2024) as well as demonstrated that liver cancer induced by MASLD is resistant to immunotherapy (Pfister et al. Nature 2021). We have also contributed to the understanding of the role of DNA damage pathways in liver cancer (Boege et al. Cancer Cell 2017), how chronic mitochondrial dysfunction and ROS results in cholangiocellular carcinoma (Yuan et al. Cancer Cell 2017) and how chronic inflammatory pathways drive age-related gliosis (O’Connor et al. Cancer Cell 2019).
Tasks
- The applicant will focus on the project “DangerHep” Dynamic control of stage transitions in chronic liver disease through cell death and alarm signals (dangerhep) and how danger signals control an immunological “point of no return” in the transition from fatty liver to liver cancer
- Targeted modulation of the proto-oncogenic ER stress / ATF6 axis in parenchymal and immune cells in liver cancer
Profile
- The applicants should be highly motivated, committed to pursue a PhD in a friendly and international team
- An excellent recent university degree: MSc / MRes (also candidates about to obtain such a degree are welcome to apply) or equivalent
- Experience in cancer or metabolic research is desirable
- A basic understanding of molecular and cellular biology techniques is expected
- Prior work with animals and FELASA certificate would be useful, but is not essential
- Excellent communication skills in English
- Interest and creativity to shape your own thesis project
- Energy and power to follow your scientific interest in the frame of chronic inflammation and cancer
Benefits
Modern Environment
- innovative university hospital
- state-of-the-art technology
- world-class international research
- excellent career prospects
Research
- cutting-edge research at the highest level
- support from PhD to professorship
Career & Development
- structured onboarding
- in-house academy
- diverse training opportunities
- targeted career development
Internationality
- cultural & generational diversity
- support through language courses
- integration programmes (nursing)