PhD candidate pancreatic cancer

About Your Role The PhD research focuses on the relationship between body composition, treatment response and survival in patients with pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC). You will investigate which tumour characteristics are associated with changes in body composition and clinical outcomes. To do so, you will combine clinical data and patient material with techniques including transcriptomics, imaging mass cytometry and CT-based analyses. The aim is to identify tumour-related factors that may provide new targets for future treatments.

Your Main Responsibilities Are

• Collecting and processing clinical data, imaging data and patient material from various medical centres in the Netherlands.
• Performing omics analyses, spatial imaging, and statistical and bioinformatics analyses.
• Establishing and coordinating a translational research infrastructure
• Developing novel prognostic models.
• Writing scientific publications and presenting research findings at national and international conferences.

The findings can be validated using prospectively collected biomaterials and extensively characterised patient cohorts within the international ONCOverse consortium.

About Your Workplace The Research Laboratory of the Department of Gastroenterology and Hepatology is the home base for this PhD research. From LUMC, you will work closely with researchers at Amsterdam UMC and Maastricht UMC+. The research is embedded within ONCOverse, a large international research consortium that aims to better understand the biological complexity of pancreatic cancer and improve treatment for patients.

An important foundation for the research is the national pancreatic cancer biobank infrastructure. It contains material from more than 3,000 patients with PDAC, collected as part of the ParelSNOER initiative. The combination of these patient cohorts, prospectively collected biomaterials and collaboration between different research centres provides a strong translational research environment.

Collaboration is central to the project. Researchers, analysts and surgeons from different centres bring together their expertise, with additional opportunities to connect with researchers in the Netherlands and abroad. You will be supervised by dr. Luuk Hawinkels (LUMC), prof. dr. Maarten Bijlsma (Amsterdam UMC), dr. Sander Rensen and prof. dr. Steven Olde Damink (Maastricht UMC+).

About You Curiosity about translational research and the motivation to develop new knowledge and techniques are important. You work effectively within a multidisciplinary team while also being comfortable conducting research independently. You organise and coordinate your work carefully and take initiative to move the research forward.

In Addition, You Have

• A completed or nearly completed Master’s degree in Biomedical Sciences, Biopharmaceutical Sciences, Medical Biology, Medicine, Life Sciences or a related field.
• A demonstrable interest in oncology, metabolism and bioinformatics, as well as an affinity with clinical and translational research.
• Excellent spoken and written English; proficiency in Dutch is an advantage.
• Willingness to collaborate regularly with and travel to partner institutes, including Amsterdam UMC and Maastricht UMC+.

Our offer

Driven by health; that is our mission. This applies not only to our patients, but also to our employees. We strive to provide a safe, inclusive and equitable working environment where talent development and connecting leadership are central. To support continuous learning and development, we offer internal training and continuing education. In addition, you are entitled to an end-of-year bonus (8.3%), holiday allowance, a bicycle scheme, sports budget, working-from-home allowance and an excellent commuting allowance. As an LUMC employee, you are also affiliated with the ABP pension fund. This means that LUMC pays no less than 70% of your pension contribution, leaving you with a higher net salary. A welcome benefit!

See all employment conditions of the LUMC.

What do we represent?

As an academic medical centre, LUMC strives for a workforce that reflects society. We are committed to the highest quality in healthcare, education and international research, where diverse perspectives are essential. Sustainability is also a key priority: we are committed to a healthy future, not only for people but also for the planet. In line with these values, we aim to provide a creative and inspiring workplace where it is essential that everyone feels at home, safe and recognised. What matters to us is who you are and what you contribute, regardless of your background. Together, we are working towards a sustainable and inclusive future, both for the people around us and for the world we live in. Together, we are LUMC.

More information

• As a motivated PhD candidate pancreatic cancer, your salary will range from € 3,217 to € 4,077 gross per month (PRO scale, Collective Labour Agreement for University Medical Centres). These amounts are based on full-time employment.
• This is a temporary position for the PhD programme.
• A 3.5% salary increase will take effect on 1 May 2027.
• The intended starting date is 1 January 2027.
• The appointment is for a period of three years.
• This vacancy is open to both internal and external candidates. In accordance with LUMC policy, internal candidates will be given priority in the selection procedure in the event of equal suitability.
• Acquisition in response to this vacancy is not appreciated.