The Department of Pediatric Oncology, Hematology and Clinical Immunology at the University Hospital Düsseldorf (UKD) at the Heinrich Heine University (HHU), headed by Prof. Dr. Arndt Borkhardt, is one of the leading clinical centers for the diagnosis and treatment of childhood cancer in Germany. The clinic is part of the University Tumor Center (UTZ) at the UKD and the Center for Integrative Oncology Aachen-Bonn-Cologne-Düsseldorf (CIO-ABCD), which is funded by the German Cancer Aid. It is a founding partner of the German Consortium for Translational Cancer Research (DKTK) Essen-Düsseldorf and participates in international research consortia and study groups. The clinic operates a fully equipped research laboratory (safety level 1 and 2 according to the Genetic Engineering/Biotechnology Ordinance, including a GMP, next generation sequencing, flow cytometry, life cell imaging, and high-throughput drug testing facility) with 5 research groups and >30 staff working in an interdisciplinary manner on the fundamentals of childhood cancer and in the field of therapy optimization. We are looking for a highly motivated PhD Student who is interested to work in the field of colorectal cancer (CRC) metabolism starting in 01/2026-03/2026. You will be joining the project ‘Microbial influences on CRC liver metastasis metabolism and therapy response’ within the DFG-funded consortium ‘Functional Genomics and Microbiomics in Precision Medicine of Colorectal Cancer‘. You will particularly focus on the overarching question of how microbiota-derived factors intersect with metabolic changes in CRC, consequently influencing niche dependency and metastasis phenotypes. You will employ a variety of models, including organoid (co-)culture systems, CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing, flow cytometry, spatial proteomics as well as in vitro and in vivo drug screening. Together with a bioinformatician, you will aim to get an in-depth understanding on how individual bacterial strains and metabolites that shape metastasis cell behaviour. Candidates should have a very good understanding of and solid experience with standard molecular biology techniques including but not limited to tissue culture, genome editing, FACS analysis, immunoblot, and PCR/qPCR. Experience with animal models is a plus (as is FELASA B certification). Willingness to learn and work with murine experimental models is a requirement. Responsibilities include: - Collaboration with physicians, biologists, bioinformaticians and technical assistants - Generation, processing and analysis of the data generated in the study in collaboration with bioinformaticians - Conducting functional studies for validation of your findings - Assisting in writing of publications on the topic - Presentation of results at national and international conferences and meetings - Collaboration with intramural, national and international cooperation partners - Master in natural sciences or related field - Excellent written and spoken English language skills, German language skills are a plus - Very good oral and written communication skills - Very good organizational and project management experience - Motivated and independent work - Willingness to cooperate and ability to work in a team - Experience in working with animals (FELASA B) is a plus, willingness to work with animals a requisite Remuneration is based on TV-L in pay grade 13 (65%), taking into account all previous periods of employment. The employment contract will be concluded with Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf. Applications from women are expressly welcome. Women will be given preferential consideration if they have the same qualifications, skills, and professional performance, unless there are reasons related to a male competitor that outweigh this. Severely disabled applicants will be given preferential consideration if they have the same qualifications. We offer: - challenging and varied tasks in a committed, interdisciplinary team - attractive opportunities for further training and development - opportunity to travel and present at international meetings and conferences - opportunity to participate in all consortium-associated meetings