PhD position in cancer research

The IMMUNO-PROT consortium is offering five fully funded PhD positions across the Netherlands for talented biomedical researchers who would like to push scientific boundaries in molecular and immune radiation oncology.

Closing date: April 1

Background

IMMUNO-PROT is a national, multidisciplinary research consortium funded by the Dutch Cancer Society (KWF) and coordinated by the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), uniting the three national proton therapy centers (UMCG PTC, HollandPTC, Maastro/ZonPTC) with Radboudumc’s onco-radiation immunology expertise.

This project aims to establish the scientific foundation required to optimize proton therapy-immunotherapy combination strategies for head-and-neck cancer. By elucidating the mechanisms that drive radiation-induced immunogenic responses, we seek to inform and accelerate future clinical translation. Our central hypothesis is that proton therapy enhances the efficacy of immunotherapy by eliciting distinct tumour-directed immune responses while preserving systemic immune competence.

The consortium includes five full time 4-year long PhD positions across the Netherlands, offering training, cutting-edge research and interdisciplinary collaboration in molecular, radiation and immune oncology. Below an overview of the work-packages (WPs) and the PhD project topics.

Available PhD positions

WP1: Proton therapy-induced cell-intrinsic inflammatory signalling

• PhD1: This PhD project will dissect the molecular mechanisms involving DNA repair, cell cycle control and inflammatory signalling triggered by proton therapy. We will identify underlying mechanisms and aim to reveal vulnerabilities that are therapeutically actionable to potentiate proton therapy (UMCG, Groningen, The Netherlands).
• PhD2: This PhD project aims to identify actionable mediators of proton-induced secreted inflammatory responses, including soluble factors and extracellular vesicles, that can enhance anti-tumour immunity using cell models and patient-derived head-and-neck cancer organoids, and to define corresponding patient-cohort biomarkers to guide proton therapy-immunotherapy combinations (Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands).

WP2: Immune impact and combined responses of proton therapy with immunomodulatory agents

• PhD3: This PhD project aims to define how radiotherapy and proton therapy modulate immune responses, both alone and in combination with immunomodulatory agents. Molecular and immunological effects on immune cell function and immune-tumour cell crosstalk will be examined in 2D/3D head-and-neck cancer co-cultures and ex vivo tissue slice models, in collaboration with Erasmus MC, using state-of-the-art technologies (Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands).

WP3: Optimal proton therapy and immunotherapy in vivo combination strategies

• PhD4: This PhD project will investigate interactions between immune cells and tumour cells using patient-derived head-and-neck cancer slice cultures and in vivo models, including the analysis of proton-induced immunomodulatory effects and sparing of lymphoid structures. Detailed immune profiling will be performed in close collaboration with Radboudumc (Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands).
• PhD5: Using patient-derived head-and-neck cancer tumoroids, salivary gland organoids, and in vivo models, this project focuses on validating recently identified immunomodulatory targets, such as inflammatory-response agonists, as well as novel targets, in combination with proton therapy and ultra-high-dose-rate (FLASH) proton therapy (UMCG, Groningen, The Netherlands).

Working environment

You will join a collaborative national network of leading Dutch universities and medical centers. Across the consortium, researchers apply cutting-edge omics platforms, mechanistic modelling, molecular biology, and advanced radiation technologies to answer key questions in radiation onco-immunology.

• Prof. M. van Vugt (PhD1); Dr. L. Barazzuol and Prof. R. Coppes (PhD5), UMCG;
• Prof. M. Vooijs and Prof. K. Rouschop (PhD2), Maastricht University;
• Prof. G. Adema and Dr. M. Ansems (PhD3), Radboudumc;
• Dr. D. van Gent and Dr. J. Essers (PhD4), Erasmus MC.

What do we need

• Master's degree in a relevant biomedical field, allowing enrolment in a PhD program at the hiring institute
• Experience in molecular cell biology, radiation biology, immunology and/or bioinformatics; affinity with head-and-neck cancer research is an advantage
• Strong motivation to conduct experimental, lab-based oncology research
• Excellent communication skills and ability to work effectively within a team

Students completing their Master’s degree during the application period are welcome to apply.

What do we offer

• Enrolment in the PhD program of the hosting institution
• A stimulating, interdisciplinary research environment
• Opportunities for training, conferences, and national collaborations across the consortium
• A preferred start date of July 1, 2026 (flexible).

Employment conditions according to the regulations of each participating institute:

UMCG, Radboudumc, and Erasmus MC (PhD1, PhD3, PhD4, PhD5): Your salary will be € 3,108 gross per month in the first year and up to a maximum of € 3,939 gross per month in the last fourth year (scale PhD of 1st of July 2025). Additionally, the UMCG offers an 8% holiday allowance and an 8.3% year-end bonus. The conditions of employment comply with the Collective Labour Agreement for Medical Centres (CAO-UMC). The duration of the project is 48 months. The initial contract will be for 1 year and after positive evaluation this will be extended for 3 additional years.

Maastricht University (PhD2): Your salary will be € 3,059 gross per month in the first year and up to a maximum of € 3,881 gross per month in the last fourth year (scale PhD of 1st of July 2025). In addition, Maastricht University will offer you 8% holiday pay and an 8.3% end-of-year bonus. The terms of employment comply with the Collective Labour Agreement of Dutch Universities (CAO Nederlandse Universiteiten). The duration of the project is 48 months. The initial contract will be for 1 year and after positive evaluation this will be extended for 3 additional years.