Doctoral Candidate ​/ PhD Position in the Space-Mel MSCA Doctoral Network

Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology

Organisation/Company Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology Research Field Biological sciences » Biology Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Final date to receive applications 7 Aug 2026 - 00:00 (Europe/Warsaw) Country Poland Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Offer Starting Date 10 Jul 2026 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe - MSCA Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure?

No

Background:

SPACE-MEL is an EU-funded MSCA Doctoral Network advancing the next generation of spatial single-cell omics technologies for precision medicine. The programme brings together leading European universities, technology providers, clinical partners and innovative companies to address key experimental and computational challenges currently limiting the clinical translation of spatial biology. By integrating multi-omics approaches, enabling the transition from 2D to 3D tissue analysis and developing advanced data interpretation methods, SPACE-MEL aims to unlock deeper insights into cellular organisation and disease mechanisms.

The network will train 15 Doctoral Candidates through an interdisciplinary programme spanning spatial imaging technologies, molecular biology, computational biology, pathology and biomarker discovery. DC14 focuses on mucosal melanoma (MuM), a rare melanoma subtype in which disease progression, metastatic spread and treatment-induced relapse may be driven by spatially organised tumour microenvironment interactions and sub-clonal evolution.

Project aim:

The aim of the project is to investigate microenvironmental and sub-clonal heterogeneity in mucosal melanoma during progression. The project will apply spatial multi-omics methods and WP3 computational tools to longitudinal MuM samples to compare primary tumours and associated metastases. The project pursues two integrated objectives: (i) to identify spatial and cellular drivers of metastasis; and (ii) to investigate treatment-induced relapse mechanisms using pseudotime modelling.

At the Maria Sklodowska-Curie National Research Institute of Oncology, the Doctoral Candidate will work with MuM tissue repositories and clinical data to support spatial biomarker discovery across disease progression. The host offers access to dedicated biobank infrastructure, tissue repositories and clinical data resources for mucosal melanoma, as well as expertise in melanoma pathology, biobanking, computational oncology and clinical-translational research. The project will be carried out in strong collaboration with international partners.

Planned secondments include 6 months at Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Department of Imaging and Pathology, Belgium, focused on spatial multi-omics analysis and pseudotime modelling, and 3 months at Diatech Pharmacogenetics S.r.l., Italy, focused on the clinical translation of identified progression and relapse markers. Expected outcomes include improved MuM biobanking/storage protocols and the identification of drivers of progression and relapse.

• Master degree in biology, biotechnology or related fields
• Applicants must be doctoral candidates, i.e not already in possession of a doctoral degree.
• Mobility rule: researchers must not have resided or carried out their main activity in the country of the recruiting beneficiary for more than 12 months in the 36 monthsimmediately before their recruitment date .

Specific Requirements

Required skills:

• Strong background in biology, biotechnology, molecular biology, cancer biology, pathology, bioinformatics, computational biology or a related biomedical discipline.
• Strong interest in melanoma biology, tumour microenvironment, tumour progression, biomarker discovery and translational cancer research.
• Basic knowledge of histology, pathology, immunohistochemistry, molecular biology and/or omics-based approaches.
• Interest in spatial biology, single-cell/spatial omics technologies and the integration of tissue-based, molecular and clinical data.
• Basic computational and data-analysis…