Join a cutting-edge cross-border research initiative in translational pancreatic oncology, bridging two leading university medical centers: the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG) and the University Medicine Oldenburg (UMO). Our cross-border HBP Cancer Lab focuses on fundamental and translational research in pancreatic cancer, combining liquid biopsy technologies, stromal biology, and tumor immunology.
UMCG and UMO are both leading university medical centers in their respective countries, forming a unique cross-border partnership between the Netherlands and Germany. Together, they provide access to state-of-the-art research infrastructure including single-cell omics platforms, imaging, and biobanking facilities, as well as complementary scientific expertise spanning liquid biopsy technologies, stromal biology, and tumor immunology in pancreatic cancer.
The position is based primarily at UMCG in Groningen, with regular presence in Oldenburg — flexibility and enthusiasm for cross-border work are essential.
This is a unique opportunity to pursue a Double Doctorate (Double Degree PhD) awarded jointly by the University of Groningen and the University of Oldenburg, providing outstanding scientific training across two internationally recognized institutions. The position is part of the strategic partnership between the Carl von Ossietzky Universität Oldenburg and the Rijksuniversiteit Groningen, supported in part by a major initiative funded with €22.5 million from Niedersachsen’s Ministry of Science and Culture (MWK) and the Volkswagen Foundation for the project “A Programme for Excellence. Developing Strengths and Building Potential through Interdisciplinary and International Networking”.
Project background
Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) remains one of the deadliest cancers, characterized not only by aggressive tumor cells but also by a complex tumor microenvironment comprising cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) and tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). Current liquid biopsy approaches focus almost exclusively on tumor-intrinsic markers, leaving the stromal and immune compartments largely unexplored as biomarker sources.
This project aims to develop and validate a novel liquid biopsy biomarker panel that integrates circulating tumor cells, stromal, and immune components to enable personalized diagnosis, prognosis, and treatment monitoring in PDAC patients. The work spans the full translational pipeline — from developing and optimizing cell enrichment and molecular profiling workflows, through single-cell characterization of circulating tumor-associated cell populations, to the integration and clinical validation of a biomarker panel in well-annotated patient cohorts from both UMCG and UMO.
The project builds on an established collaboration between UMCG (Prof. Bansal, Dr. Nijkamp, Dr. Hoogwater) and UMO (Prof. Bockhorn, PD Dr. Meyer), including shared patient cohorts, a joint PDAC database, and existing data and material transfer agreements
