PhD Position: β-catenin inhibitors in colorectal cancer (MSCA-DN FlexCAT)
Join an EU-funded doctoral network to develop novel therapeutic inhibitors targeting β-catenin in colorectal cancer.
Best for:Best for life science graduates with a strong interest in cancer biology, Wnt signaling, and therapeutic development.
Overview
This PhD position is part of the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions (MSCA) Doctoral Network 'FlexCAT', which focuses on targeting flexible and disordered protein regions for therapeutic development. The successful candidate will investigate the oncogenic role of β-catenin in colorectal cancer, specifically evaluating how novel inhibitors affect Wnt signaling and nuclear condensate formation. The research involves a combination of cell-based assays, transcriptional profiling, and interactome analysis to identify translational therapeutic candidates. The project includes a planned secondment at the University of Milan to conduct mass spectrometry analysis of the β-catenin interactome.
What you'll do
- Evaluate the efficacy of novel β-catenin inhibitors on Wnt pathway activation using reporter systems.
- Assess phenotypic and transcriptional changes in colorectal cancer cell lines following inhibitor treatment.
- Investigate changes in the β-catenin/RNA interactome mediated by therapeutic inhibitors.
- Perform functional assays including clonogenicity and proliferation studies.
- Collaborate with international partners and participate in a two-month secondment for mass spectrometry analysis.
- Contribute to the design and improvement of β-catenin binders based on experimental feedback.
Requirements
Degree required: Master's degree in a relevant field such as Molecular Biology, Oncology, or Biomedical Sciences.
Degree offered: PhD
Language: English proficiency required.
Instruction: English
- Experience with cell culture and cancer cell line models.
- Proficiency in molecular biology techniques related to transcriptional analysis.
- Strong analytical skills for interpreting complex biological data.
- Ability to work independently and within an international research network.
- Must meet MSCA mobility requirements (not having resided or carried out main activity in the Netherlands for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to recruitment).
- Must be in the first four years of research career (R1).
Funding & terms
How to apply
Deadline: 2026-10-31
Applications must be submitted through the official university portal. Ensure all required academic and professional documentation is attached to the application.
- CV
- Cover letter
- Academic transcripts
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