We would like to bring to your attention the molecular oncology PhD position announced by the Pestell laboratory.
Location: HUN-REN Office for Supported Research Groups (TKI) Cell Cycle Laboratory in the National Institute of Oncology, Budapest, Hungary
Doctoral school: Semmelweis University Doctoral school
Start date: Aug-Sept. 2026
Duration: 4 years
Scholarships: Hungarian State Scholarship, topped up by the program
Contact: Prof. Peter Tompa (peter.tompa@oncol.hu)
Who we are: The HUN-REN Office for Supported Research Groups (TKI) opened a new Cell Cycle Laboratory in the National Institute of Oncology (NIO), Budapest, Hungary (https://onkol.hu/cell-cycle-research-department/). The laboratory led by Prof. Richard Pestell (https://www.pcarmrc.org/pestell-1), Prof. Peter Nagy (https://uncan.eu/national-institute-of-oncology-hungary/) and Prof. Peter Tompa (https://www.linkedin.com/in/peter-tompa-181a461b1) is funded by the RGH_24 program of the National Research, Development and Innovation Fund (NKFIH). The lab conducts research: (i) Epidemiological studies of cancer; (ii) The mechanisms governing cell-cycle control and tumorigenesis (via the cyclin D1 and DACH1 genes), and (iii) The mechanisms by which C-C chemokine receptor type 5 (CCR5) governs tumorigenesis and therapy responses.
Prof Pestell (Orcid 0000-0003-3244-8777)
H-index: 162; i10-index: 488,
Citations ~110,600
Peer reviewed original articles (472),
books, chapters and reviews (56),
published abstracts (239)
world ranked Google Scholar #1 for cell cycle, and ranked for prostate cancer, oncology, and breast cancer https://scholar.gogle.com/citations?user=RYlsfBQAAAAJ&hl=en
What we are looking for: The laboratory is looking for a highly motivated PhD student to investigate the mechanism of resistance against CDK 4/6 inhibitors (CDIs, e.g., Palbociclib, Ribociclib) that often involves the activation of Cyclin D1 (CycD1) and CCR5, promoting oncogenic gene transcription, cancer stem cell (CSC) formation, metastasis, chromosomal instability (CIN) and tumor microenvironment (TME) reprogramming. With the ultimate goal of developing novel treatments for cancer, we open a PhD program:
Cellular mechanisms of cancer promotion and CDI resistance. The project will focus on the induction of CSCs, recruitment and reprogramming of macrophages and asymmetric mitochondrial segregation causing tumor heterogeneity. The requirement is a diploma in biology, bioengineering, cell biology or relevant field.
What we offer: The successful candidate will enroll into the Doctoral school of Semmelweis University, under the supervision of expert postdocs in the Pestell lab, at the National Institute of Oncology (Budapest).
If interested (or for further info): please send a message to Prof. Peter Tompa (peter.tompa@oncol.hu):
- a cover letter and copy of diploma, outlining their education and research interest
- a curriculum vitae (CV) including – if relevant – a list of publications
- contact information for three professional references