You will work on a project aiming to elucidate how cancer cells can cope with high levels of replication stress. A characteristic of many cancers is their high degree of genomic instability, which is thought to be fueled by replication stress. In this project, which is funded by a ERC consolidator grant, we aim to unravel how oncogene-induced replication stress is resolved throughout the cell cycle, with a particular focus on mitosis. You will use biochemical microscopy and genetic approaches. Within this project, we, will ultimately validate our findings in patient material and ex vivo cultures of primary tumor material.

We offer a PhD studentship to an ambitious candidate with a passion for DNA damage signaling and cell cycle biology. The candidate should have the following requirements:
- MSc in (Molecular/Medical) Biology
- Fluent in English, both spoken and written
- A background in molecular cell biology is essential
- Experience in cell cycle or DNA damage signaling, microscopy or genetics is appreciated
- An enthusiastic, ambitious team player

- A full-time contract (36 hours/week) for initially 4 year, after one year an evaluation is conducted.
- Your salary is € 2.357,- gross per month in the first year up to a maximum of € 3.020,- gross per month in the last fourth year (scale PhD). In addition the UMCG will offer you 8% holiday pay and 8.3% end- of -year bonus.
- The terms of employment comply with the Collective Labour Agreement for Medical Centers (CAO-UMC).
- The UMCG has a preventive Hepatitis B policy. The UMCG can provide you with the vaccination, should it be required for your position.
- In case of specific professions a ‘Certificate of Good Conduct’ is required.

More information
For more information about this vacancy you may contact: Prof. Marcel van Vugt, PhD, m.vugt@umcg.nl (for inquiries only, please do not use for applications).

Applying for a job
Please use the the digital application form at the bottom of this page - only these will be processed.
You can apply until 12 May 2019.
Within half an hour after sending the digital application form you will receive an email- confirmation with further information.

Select Reading:

Heijink AM et al. A haploid genetic screen identifies the G1/S regulatory machinery as a determinant of Wee1 inhibitor sensitivity. PNAS 2015. 8;112(49):15160-5.

Hengeveld RC et al. Rif1 Is Required for Resolution of Ultrafine DNA Bridges in Anaphase to Ensure Genomic Stability. Dev Cell. 2015. 34(4):466-74.

Fehrmann RS et al. Gene expression analysis identifies global gene dosage sensitivity in cancer. Nat Genet. 2015. 47(2):115-25.

Lafranchi L et al. APC/C(Cdh1) controls CtIP stability during the cell cycle and in response to DNA damage. EMBO J. 2014. 33(23):2860-79.

Department of Medical Oncology

We have an exciting opportunity for a PhD student, funded by the European Research Council (ERC). The position will be for 4 years, and should results in a PhD thesis at the University of Groningen.
The PhD student position is available in the research group of prof. Marcel van Vugt. The research group is embedded in the Department of Medical Oncology of the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), where oncological patient care is coordinated with preclinical and fundamental research on the biology and treatment of cancer. The research group also participates in the Cancer Research Center Groningen (CRCG), which is part of the Graduate School for Medical Sciences. Within the graduate school, you have the opportunity to follow high-quality courses throughout your PhD training.
The research group is focused on cell cycle regulation and DNA damage responses in the context of cancer. The lab is surrounded by other labs that study chromatin biology and genome instability. More information on current research topics can be found on our website: www.vanvugtlab.com.