Fully Funded PhD Position at German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), Germany 2026 in chemotherapy induced DNA damage and treatment resistance study in cancer

PhD Opportunity in Cancer Genetics, Molecular Biology, Genome Evolution, and Bioinformatics

The German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ), one of Europe’s leading cancer research institutions, is inviting applications for a fully funded PhD student position in the field of Cancer Systems Biology.The position is available in the laboratory of Dr. Craig Anderson at the German Cancer Consortium (DKTK) partner site Munich, located within the Department of Translational Oncology at LMU Klinikum, Munich, Germany. The successful candidate will investigate how DNA damage and repair processes shape mutational diversity across the genome and contribute to cancer evolution and therapy resistance.

About the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)

The German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) is one of Europe’s largest biomedical research centers dedicated to understanding cancer biology and developing improved strategies for cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment.

The mission of DKFZ is:

“Research for a life without cancer.”

DKFZ provides:

• World-class research infrastructure

• Advanced technologies

• International scientific collaborations

• Multidisciplinary cancer research environment

• Training opportunities for the next generation of scientists

The center works closely with universities and hospitals through the German Cancer Consortium (DKTK), a national translational cancer research network connecting basic cancer discoveries with clinical applications.

PhD Research Project: Understanding DNA Damage, Mutations, and Cancer Evolution

Cells are constantly exposed to DNA-damaging factors, including:

• Cigarette smoke

• UV radiation

• Environmental stress

• Cancer treatments

Although cells possess sophisticated DNA repair mechanisms, these same processes can contribute to mutations that drive cancer development and treatment resistance. This PhD project aims to understand:

• How DNA damage generates mutations

• How mutational patterns vary between cells

• How genome instability contributes to cancer evolution

• How these mechanisms influence therapy resistance

The research will combine:

Molecular biology
Cellular models
Genomic analysis
Bioinformatics
Computational approaches

to study mutagenesis at unprecedented resolution.

About the Cancer Systems Biology Lab

The PhD candidate will join the Cancer Systems Biology laboratory of Dr. Craig Anderson at the DKTK partner site Munich. The lab investigates the mechanisms controlling:

• DNA damage response

• DNA repair pathways

• Mutation formation

• Genome evolution

• Cancer drug resistance

The project builds on previous discoveries from the laboratory, including research published in high-impact journals:

• Nature (2024) – Strand-resolved mutagenicity of DNA damage and repair

• PNAS (2024) – DNA lesion bypass and transcription-coupled repair dynamics

• Nature (2020) – Pervasive lesion segregation shaping cancer genome evolution

Research Tasks

The selected PhD student will:

Perform molecular biology experiments
Study mutational processes in cancer-related models
Generate and analyze sequencing data
Apply computational and statistical approaches
Develop bioinformatics skills
Investigate mechanisms of cancer evolution and drug resistance

The candidate will receive training in advanced experimental and computational techniques.

Candidate Requirements

Applicants should have:

Educational Background

• Excellent MSc degree in:

  • Cancer genetics

  • Molecular biology

  • Biomedical sciences

  • Related biological disciplines

Required Skills

Candidates should have:

Strong understanding of molecular biology
Experience with mammalian cell culture
Experience with molecular techniques
Ability to work independently
Interest in developing bioinformatics skills
Ability to communicate research effectively in English

Experience with:

• Custom sequence library preparation

• Next-generation sequencing

• Genome analysis

will be highly valuable.

Desirable Skills (or Willingness to Learn)

Applicants with experience or interest in:

Single-cell sequencing
Toxicant exposure models
Short-read sequencing technologies
Computational biology
Statistical analysis
DNA replication and repair mechanisms

are encouraged to apply.

Benefits of the PhD Position

The DKFZ offers:

Doctoral salary with social benefits
Access to international research networks
State-of-the-art laboratory facilities
Advanced scientific training
Career development programs through DKFZ International PhD Program
Mentoring and professional development support
30 days annual vacation
Flexible working hours
Family-friendly working environment
Possibility of part-time work
Subsidized Germany public transport ticket
Health and wellbeing programs

Location: Munich, Germany

The research position is based at:

Department of Translational Oncology, LMU Klinikum Munich

Munich is one of Germany’s most attractive cities, known for:

• Excellent quality of life

• International research environment

• Strong scientific community

• Easy access to cultural and natural destinations

Application Information
Position:

PhD Student – Cancer Systems Biology

Host Institution:

German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)

Research Network:

German Cancer Consortium (DKTK)

Location:

Munich, Germany

Supervisor:

Dr. Craig Anderson

Duration:

Initially limited to 3 years

Application Deadline:

02 July 2026

Required Documents:

Applicants should submit:

• Curriculum Vitae (CV)

• Motivation letter

Applications should be submitted according to the official DKFZ application procedure.

Who Should Apply?

This opportunity is ideal for candidates interested in:

• Cancer biology

• Molecular mechanisms of disease

• Genome instability

• DNA repair

• Cancer evolution

• Precision oncology

• Computational biology

Researchers who want to combine wet-lab experiments with genomic and computational approaches are especially encouraged to apply.

Opportunity Summary

Position: Fully Funded PhD Student Position
Institution: German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)
Research Area: Cancer Systems Biology, DNA Damage, Mutagenesis
Location: Munich, Germany
Supervisor: Dr. Craig Anderson
Starting Date: September 2026
Deadline: 02 July 2026