PhD Student in DNA Break Signature Analysis in Cancers

This PhD position at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ) offers the opportunity to investigate DNA break signatures in cancer cells, focusing on replication stress and its role in genomic instability. The project, led by Dr. Pei-Chi Wei in the Brain Mosaicism and Tumorigenesis Laboratory, combines genome biology with computational analysis to uncover mechanisms driving cancer progression. The successful candidate will work with advanced sequencing technologies, including LAM-HTGTS and Hi-RepliSeq, to characterize DNA break landscapes in osteosarcoma, breast cancer, and leukemia models. The research aims to identify cancer-specific vulnerabilities and inform personalized treatment strategies, bridging molecular biology and data science.

• Map and classify replication-stress-mediated and naturally occurring DNA double-strand breaks (DSBs) in osteosarcoma, breast cancer, and leukemia cell lines using advanced sequencing technologies.
• Integrate multi-omics datasets (DSB maps, replication timing, transcription orientation, and R-loop profiles) to identify cancer-type-specific vulnerabilities.
• Generate engineered cancer cell lines in collaboration with lab technicians and design hypothesis-driven analyses to explore mechanisms of genomic instability.
• Develop reverse-translational strategies for therapeutic interventions targeting replication stress in osteosarcoma and breast cancer.
• Contribute to the development of computational models and statistical analyses to interpret high-resolution genomic data.
• Collaborate with the Aqeilan Lab (Hebrew University of Jerusalem) to compare in vivo tumor models with cell line data.
• Present research findings at national and international conferences and publish results in high-impact journals.