IMMUNO-PROT is a national, multidisciplinary research consortium funded by the Dutch Cancer Society (KWF) and coordinated by the University Medical Center Groningen (UMCG), uniting the three national proton therapy centers (UMCG PTC, HollandPTC, Maastro/ZonPTC) with Radboudumc’s onco-radiation immunology expertise.
This project aims to establish the scientific foundation required to optimize proton therapy-immunotherapy combination strategies for head-and-neck cancer. By elucidating the mechanisms that drive radiation-induced immunogenic responses, we seek to inform and accelerate future clinical translation. Our central hypothesis is that proton therapy enhances the efficacy of immunotherapy by eliciting distinct tumour-directed immune responses while preserving systemic immune competence.
The consortium includes five full time 4-year long PhD positions across the Netherlands, offering training, cutting-edge research and interdisciplinary collaboration in molecular, radiation and immune oncology. Below an overview of the work-packages (WPs) and the PhD project topics.
Available PhD positions
WP1: Proton therapy-induced cell-intrinsic inflammatory signalling
PhD1: This PhD project will dissect the molecular mechanisms involving DNA repair, cell cycle control and inflammatory signalling triggered by proton therapy. We will identify underlying mechanisms and aim to reveal vulnerabilities that are therapeutically actionable to potentiate proton therapy (UMCG, Groningen, The Netherlands).
PhD2: This PhD project aims to identify actionable mediators of proton-induced secreted inflammatory responses, including soluble factors and extracellular vesicles, that can enhance anti-tumour immunity using cell models and patient-derived head-and-neck cancer organoids, and to define corresponding patient-cohort biomarkers to guide proton therapy-immunotherapy combinations (Maastricht University, Maastricht, The Netherlands).
WP2: Immune impact and combined responses of proton therapy with immunomodulatory agents
PhD3: This PhD project aims to define how radiotherapy and proton therapy modulate immune responses, both alone and in combination with immunomodulatory agents. Molecular and immunological effects on immune cell function and immune-tumour cell crosstalk will be examined in 2D/3D head-and-neck cancer co-cultures and ex vivo tissue slice models, in collaboration with Erasmus MC, using state-of-the-art technologies (Radboudumc, Nijmegen, The Netherlands).
WP3: Optimal proton therapy and immunotherapy in vivo combination strategies
PhD4: This PhD project will investigate interactions between immune cells and tumour cells using patient-derived head-and-neck cancer slice cultures and in vivo models, including the analysis of proton-induced immunomodulatory effects and sparing of lymphoid structures. Detailed immune profiling will be performed in close collaboration with Radboudumc (Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, The Netherlands).
PhD5: Using patient-derived head-and-neck cancer tumoroids, salivary gland organoids, and in vivo models, this project focuses on validating recently identified immunomodulatory targets, such as inflammatory-response agonists, as well as novel targets, in combination with proton therapy and ultra-high-dose-rate (FLASH) proton therapy (UMCG, Groningen, The Netherlands).
- Master's degree in a relevant biomedical field, allowing enrolment in a PhD program at the hiring institute
- Experience in molecular cell biology, radiation biology, immunology and/or bioinformatics; affinity with head-and-neck cancer research is an advantage
- Strong motivation to conduct experimental, lab-based oncology research
- Excellent communication skills and ability to work effectively within a team
Students completing their Master’s degree during the application period are welcome to apply.
