PhD Student in Mutational Processes Driving Somatic Evolution

For the DKTK partner site Munich, we are seeking a PhD Student in Mutational Processes Driving Somatic Evolution. Reference number: 2025-0224.

Location: München, Full-time, DKTK partner site Munich - Department of Translational Oncology, LMU Klinikum.

From cigarette smoke and UV radiation to chemotherapeutic cancer treatments, cells are constantly damaged. Repair processes cause mutations leading to cancer and resistance. Join the Cancer Systems Biology lab of Dr. Craig Anderson to understand DNA damage and mutational heterogeneity.

The lab is in the Department of Translational Oncology at the DKTK partner site at the LMU Klinikum, Munich, offering opportunities from Germany’s leading research institutes.

Relevant work:

• Anderson CJ et al. Strand-resolved mutagenicity of DNA damage and repair. 2024. Nature 630: 744
• Nicholson MD, Anderson CJ, et al. DNA lesion bypass and the stochastic dynamics of transcription coupled repair. 2024. PNAS 121: 20
• Aitken SJ, Anderson CJ, et al. Pervasive lesion segregation shapes cancer genome evolution. 2020. Nature 582: 7815

Your Tasks: Build on research showing DNA damage is heritable by using molecular methods to study mutagenesis in cancer cells. Use advanced statistical and computational methods for data analysis to understand cancer drug resistance.

About you: Excited about research, capable, with an excellent M.Sc. in cancer genetics, molecular biology, or similar. Laboratory experience and interest in bioinformatics. Excellent English communication skills.

Requirements: Excellent understanding of molecular biology, experience with CRISPR in mouse or human cells. Ability to work independently on experiments and analyses. Evidence of collaborative work and clear communication through publications and presentations.

Desirable skills: Toxicant exposure, sequencing experience, computational analyses, understanding of DNA replication and damage response.

We Offer:

• Excellent framework conditions: state-of-the-art equipment and international networking.
• Access to research networks.
• Doctoral salary with social benefits.
• 30 days vacation, flexible hours, part-time possibility, family-friendly environment.
• Sustainable travel, training, mentoring, and health programs.

Contact: Dr. Craig Anderson, Phone: +49 89 4400-43962. Position limited to 3 years. Application Deadline: 10.09.2025.