A 3-year fully funded PhD stipend for studying the gene-regulatory mechanisms that control cancer biology at single-cell resolution is available in the group of Associate Professor Rasmus Siersbæk at the Functional Genomics & Metabolism Research Unit at Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Southern Denmark. There is an opportunity for an introductory position as research assistant for up to 6 months before starting the PhD program. The position is available from 1^st September 2025 or soon thereafter. Application deadline is 20. June 2025.

Research Project
MYC is a critical transcription factor in most cancers, where it cooperates with many different protein complexes to activate diverse pro-tumorigenic pathways. Together with a senior postdoc in the lab, you will lead a research project focused on dissecting how the various cellular tasks of MYC are orchestrated in individual cells. You will integrate loss- and gain-of-function tools (e.g., CRISPR/Cas and degron systems) with a range of advanced functional genomics methods, particularly single-cell technologies, in pre-clinical model systems such as cell lines and patient-derived tumor organoids as well as patient samples. The goal is to understand MYC action in cancer at single-cell resolution to elucidate how this critical oncoprotein controls heterogeneity in cancer cell biology. Expertise in functional genomics methods (e.g., single-cell and bulk RNA-seq, ATAC-seq and ChIP-seq) and computational data analysis is considered highly advantageous.

Selected references:

1. Jakobsen et al., 2024. MYC activity at enhancers drives prognostic transcriptional programs through an epigenetic switch. Nat Genet. 56(4):663-674. 
2. Siersbæk et al., 2020. IL6/STAT3 signaling hijacks ER enhancers to drive breast cancer metastasis. Cancer Cell 38(3):412-423.e9. 
3. Papachristou et al., 2018. A quantitative mass spectrometry-based approach to monitor the dynamics of endogenous chromatin-associated protein complexes. Nat Commun. 9(1):2311.

Lab and Research Environment
You will be part of the research group led by Assoc. Prof. Rasmus Siersbæk (Siersbaek group) at the Dept. of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology (BMB) at SDU. The Siersbæk group is part of the Functional Genomics and Metabolism research unit at BMB, which provides a highly international, collaborative, ambitious and innovative research environment for functional genomics analyses of gene-regulatory mechanisms. In addition, the Siersbæk group is affiliated with the translational cancer hub at SDU and Odense University Hospital (OUH), which is a newly formed collaborative cancer research environment with a strong scientific and social network for students and postdocs and good mentoring opportunities to support individual career development. You will have access to state-of-the-art facilities (e.g., single-cell platforms, sequencing, proteomics and bioimaging) and extensive expertise in functional genomics, single-cell analyses, gene-regulatory mechanisms and cancer biology. This international, well-equipped, highly ambitious and supportive research environment therefore provides a great setting for pursuing novel research ideas within these areas. 

Your Profile
We are looking for a highly motivated, innovative and collaborative PhD student to lead the research project on MYC in cancer as outlined above in close collaboration with a senior postdoc in the lab. You have:

• A Master’s in Life Science, e.g., Molecular Biology. 
• Expertise in functional genomics approaches and computational data analysis.
• Expertise and interest in gene-regulatory mechanisms.
• Motivation and strong analytical and organizational skills.
• Strong communication and collaborative skills.
• Proficiency in spoken and written English.

We Offer

• A fully funded 3-year PhD stipend (plus an opportunity for an introductory position as research assistant for up to 6 months) in a stimulating, vibrant and supportive research environment with a focus on mentoring and individual career development.
• Training in state-of-the-art omics technologies and data analysis as well as research management, oral and written communication and networking.
• Access to state-of-the-art equipment and facilities, e.g., sequencing, proteomics and bioimaging.
• A competitive salary and social benefits (e.g., health coverage, parental leave, social security etc).
• Support with practical, social and legal aspects (e.g. housing, visa, tax etc) through our international staff office (ISO) and the department.