The Section of Tumor Genetics at the Institute of Human Genetics (head: Prof. Dr. med. H. Hahn), University of Göttingen, invites a motivated
PhD-student
(TV-L E13 50% for 3 years)
to work on the project “Targeting the hedgehog pathway in rhabdomyosarcoma”. The project is funded by the Deutsche Krebshilfe e. V. within the frame of the Priority Program Translational Oncology. The project can be started in march 2015.

Rhabdomyosarcoma (RMS) is a tumor of the skeletal muscle and the most common soft tissue sarcoma in children. We recently identified aberrant hedgehog (Hh) pathway activation in subgroups of RMS, which correlates with poor survival. Further, we have evidence that SMO inhibitors may cause regression of RMS in a genetic mouse model of Hh-dependent RMS. The current project aims at evaluating the Hh pathway as a therapeutic target in RMS as a prototypic Hh-driven pediatric cancer. Key objectives of the project are to evaluate Hh inhibitors in the genetic mouse model of RMS and to identify synthetic lethal drug combinations with Hh inhibitors to maximize the antitumor activity of Hh inhibitors, to overcome primary or acquired resistance to Hh inhibitors and to reduce their potential toxic side effects. The project is expected to yield novel therapeutic tools to target the Hh pathway in children with RMS with the aim to transfer these achievements into clinical application.

Qualifications and experience:
•       you hold a master or diploma degree in natural science
•       you have experience with cell culture techniques and
with     methods used in molecular biology
•       experience with murine tumor models will be advantageous
•       you are interested in aspects of signal transduction, tumor genetics and the development of new tumor therapies
•       you have good IT and communication skills in English
•       you are team and goal-oriented
Please send an electronic form of your application including CV; certificate of school education, diploma, master etc.; description of your lab experience; short abstract of your master or diploma work and contact details of two references as soon as possible to Dr. rer. nat. Anja Uhmann (auhmann@gwdg.de), Section of Tumor Genetics at the Institute of Human Genetics (http://www.humangenetik.gwdg.de/HG/1/index.php?i=Pe&s=PersonalH).


Von:
Anja Uhmann
auhmann@gwdg.de
Universitätsmedizin Göttingen
Göttingen