PhD Student in Cancer Epigenetics

Background and Research Environment

Recently established, the Cancer RNAs and Epigenetic Group (CREG) laboratory focuses on understanding the role of epigenetic and epitranscriptomic regulation in tumor progression, with the ultimate aim to develop innovative nucleic acid therapeutics against cancer. We make use of advanced molecular and cellular technologies to identify novel targets and get mechanistic insights into disease pathways. We are looking for a highly motivated Ph.D. student to join our young and dynamic research group. The successful candidate will get access to several core facilities and relevant state-of-the-art technologies. S/he will benefit from an active seminar program, international conference attendances, opportunities  for professional growth. The project will be carried out in collaboration with national and international partners.
The PhD candidate will be supported through a Fond National de la Recherche (FNR) funded project as part of the Doctoral Training Unit (DTU) CANBIO2 in cancer research. In total, 19 PhD students are part of the DTU. They investigate different aspects to better understand the dynamic tumor ecosystem and discover potential new therapeutic strategies. The DTU encompasses a wide range of training opportunities including clinical dive events, workshops, and lecture series. In addition, each student participates in a secondment in a collaborator’s laboratory.

Project: Integrative multi-omics analysis of IDH mutant gliomas to reveal novel targets for treatment.

Mutations in isocitrate dehydrogenase 1 or 2 (IDH1/2) define glioma subtypes and are primary events in gliomagenesis, impacting tumor epigenetics and metabolism. We have recently identified a novel metabolic vulnerability in the IDH mutant gliomas that may be therapeutically exploited. Here we expand these studies leveraging integrated multi-omics data of patient samples including genetic/epigenetic, transcriptomic, metabolomic, and proteomic data to reveal other metabolic deficiencies in IDH wildtype and IDH mutant gliomas. Our preliminary data indicate that rewiring of the butyrate pathway could reveal a novel metabo-epigenetic regulation, associated with an alteration in the gut-brain axis crosstalk in glioma. We will apply epigenetic drugs on CRISPR-engineered glioma models to test their impact on metabolic and epigenetic regulations and glioma features.

Key Skills, Experience and Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Biomedical Sciences, Biology, or Oncology
• Hands-on experience in molecular biology, cell culture, biochemistry, immunofluorescence and microscopy
• Prior experience in Epigenetics and/or Metabolism is an asset
• Understanding of common bioinformatics approaches and experience with one of the main programming languages for data analysis (R, Python) is an asset.
• Curiosity, creativity, rigor, willingness to learn, team spirit and collaborative capacity, excellent time and priority management.
• Fluency in English  (written and spoken) is mandatory

For any further information please contact Dr. Sabrina Fritah, Department of Cancer Research,  sabrina.fritah@lih.lu

Gender Equality

The LIH is an equal opportunities employer. We are fully committed to removing any discriminatory barrier related to gender, and not only, in recruitment and career progression of our staff. The LIH is attentive to gender representation among its leadership staff and aims to eliminate obstacles to the recruitment and promotion of female leaders and their career development.