Pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC) is a highly lethal malignancy with the lowest 5-year survival among all solid tumors. Cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs) promote tumor cell proliferation and prevent chemotherapy and immune cells from attacking the tumor, leading to poor patient outcome. Novel approaches to kill these CAFs are therefore urgently needed.

In this project, we will develop agents that bind to CAFs for application in targeted radionuclide therapy. These agents will be labeled with therapeutic radionuclides Ac-225, Pb-212, Tb-161 and Lu-177. We will assess their binding properties to CAFs in vitro, and the tumor-targeting properties, biodistribution and therapeutic efficacy in tumor-bearing mouse models. Additionally, we will unravel their mechanism of action, biological and immunological effects in these mice.

Tasks and responsibilities

• Design and perform scientific research with FAP-binding radiotracers for application in targeted radionuclide therapy (radiolabeling, in vitro cell binding and therapy experiments, small animal imaging and therapy experiments, immunohistochemistry, RNA sequencing, flow cytometry, dosimetry calculations).
• Analyze scientific data.
• Write scientific publications and present findings at (inter)national scientific meetings.
• Work in a team with other scientists and clinicians to plan, discuss, and perform research in a stimulating research environment.

You have a master's degree in (medical) biology, biomedical sciences, molecular life sciences, or equivalent. You are in possession of permits to work with laboratory animals and radioactivity. Or you are willing to obtain these permits. You are enthusiastic and have a strong motivation to successfully complete this PhD project. lastly, you have well-developed communicational skills directed towards working in a multidisciplinary team.

Fixed-term contract: 4 years.

The starting date of this PhD project is 6 January 2025. At Radboud university medical center, you build on your future. We are committed to providing the best care, education, and research. And we are true to our word, because we help you develop and seize opportunities and give you the room to grow. As an employer, we believe that employees should feel vital and happy at work in all stages of life. We are also committed to creating a healthy and safe working environment. Our employment conditions contribute to that. What we offer:

• Upon commencement of employment, you will start at scale 10A, step 0 (€ 3.017 based on a full-time appointment). Over a maximum period of 4 years, you will progress to scale 10A, step 3 (€3.824 based on a full-time appointment). You will also receive an 8% holiday allowance, an 8.3% end-of-year bonus, and a 47% to 72% bonus for working unsocial hours.
• 172 vacation hours per year based on a 36-hour working week. (As of 1 January 2025, you will receive 176 vacation hours).

Radboudumc

The Department of Medical Oncology plays a key role in conducting translational research: from molecule to men. At our department we drive innovation by combining personalized patient care and science. Our ultimate goal is to have major clinical impact on patient outcomes (survival and quality of life). We have ample experience in systemic treatment with immunotherapy, chemotherapy, targeted therapy, hormonal treatment, and radioligand therapies. The Department of Medical Oncology consists of medical oncologists, residents, (research) nurses, PhD students, and preclinical researchers. Moreover, we have a dedicated phase I trial unit, where we run our clinical trials.

This project will be in close collaboration with the Department of Medical Imaging, which has long-standing research lines on the development and application of labeled tracers for application in nuclear imaging and radionuclide therapy. There is a strong focus on translational research by collaborations between basic scientists, (pre)clinical researchers, and clinicians. The department has excellent research facilities, including level B radionuclide laboratories and a preclinical imaging center (PRIME) with state-of-the art imaging facilities including microPET/CT, microSPECT/CT, fluorescence/bioluminescence, and small-bore high-field MRI. The research group consists of approximately 25 researchers, including senior scientists, PhD students, medical doctors, and research technicians.

Radboudumc
Welcome to Radboud university medical center (Radboudumc), where scientific breakthroughs are born through the curiosity and passion of our collaborating researchers in a vibrant environment. We believe trust and excitement are crucial elements to achieving our goals, and we approach our research as teams and with the utmost rigor to make a significant impact on health and healthcare. Our researchers are driven by their fascination with the biological, psychological, and sociological mechanisms underlying health and healthcare. They collaborate with partners from all over the world to improve health outcomes for all. Radboudumc unites patient care, research, education, and corporate learning, which allows us to approach our mission to shape the health and healthcare of the future in an innovative and person-centered way.

Our ambition is to lead the way in the pursuit of prevention, sustainability, meaningful care. We believe that through our research, we can significantly improve the health and well-being of society. Join us on our mission to make a difference in healthcare. Become a part of our community of gifted researchers, professionals or patient partners who are dedicated to making a real impact on population health and healthcare.

Read what it is like to do a PhD at the Radboud University Medical Center.