PhD decoding cell communication in aggressive gastrointestinal cancers

Aggressive GI cancers grow by exploiting signals from surrounding stromal cells and, as only recently discovered, by forming functional interactions with neuronal cells. This PhD project will dissect these communication networks in patient-derived models of esophageal, pancreatic and colorectal cancer. Using single-cell and spatial transcriptomics and proteomics, you will map ligand–receptor and signaling circuits in tumor and stromal populations. By using in vitro co‑culture systems (organoids, CAFs, immune cells, iPSC-derived neurons) with targeted perturbations you will test how specific pathways control stemness, growth and therapy resistance. In collaboration with neuroscientists, key neuron–tumor interactions will be validated in vivo, revealing molecular targets for future interventions.

You will perform this work in a highly collaborative environment that links oncology and neuroscience within the NWO‑funded ADORE KIC‑LTP consortium. The position is for four years (with an initial 12‑month contract), leading to a PhD from the University of Amsterdam.

Would you like to know more about the different phases within the PhD trajectory? You can read more about this here. 

The main purpose of this PhD project is to uncover how tumor, stromal and neuronal cells communicate to drive aggressive growth and therapy resistance in gastrointestinal cancers, and to identify molecular circuits that can be targeted therapeutically. To achieve this, you will combine advanced experimental models with state‑of‑the‑art single‑cell and spatial technologies.

Activities include:

• establishment and characterization of organoid‑based co-cultures (tumor, CAFs, immune and neuronal cells);
• gene expression and pathway analysis (bulk and single‑cell datasets);
• single‑cell and single‑nucleus sequencing, and proteomic analyses;
• spatial profiling of patient tissues and experimental models;
• gene editing (e.g. CRISPR/Cas9) to perturb candidate pathways;
• integration of multi‑omics data with clinical and functional readouts.

You will report on your findings in regular work meetings, conferences, and scientific publications in reputable journals. You will supervise undergraduate students. 

Applicants bring the following:

• a master’s degree in biomedical sciences, biology, (bio)chemistry or a related discipline;
• affinity with both oncology and neuroscience (or a strong interest in developing this);
• skills in basic wet‑lab and molecular biology techniques;
• experience in cell culture, preferably including organoids;
• experience with bioinformatics and proficiency in R (or strong motivation to learn);
• good command of English, both spoken and written.

We are looking for the following personality traits:

• an ambitious researcher committed to driving their project forward;
• someone who works diligently and with high accuracy;
• a team player who enjoys collaborating in an interdisciplinary environment;
• a creative and independent thinker who takes initiative.