Topic: Advanced neuroblastoma models for drug discovery

Neuroblastoma is the most common extracranial solid tumor in children and remains a major therapeutic challenge. Despite intensive multimodal therapies, about half of the high-risk neuroblastoma patients eventually die from the disease, highlighting the urgent need for more predictive preclinical models to support the identification of novel and clinically effective therapeutics. This PhD project aims to utilize and refine advanced in vitro and in vivo models of neuroblastoma to improve drug discovery and validation. Specifically, the work will focus on 3D tumor spheroid cultures, which better replicate the architecture and heterogeneity of pediatric solid tumors compared to conventional 2D models. Importantly, cutting-edge zebrafish and mouse in vivo models will be used to assess therapeutic responses in a systemic and physiologically relevant context. These models will be applied to test therapeutic approaches that act on mitochondrial synthetic lethality (Borankova et al., Cell Death Dis. 2023) or additional targets identified by our group (Kameneva et al., Nat Commun. 2022). The overall goal is to establish a robust platform that bridges the gap between preclinical and clinical neuroblastoma research, ultimately facilitating the discovery of more effective and clinically relevant therapies for high-risk neuroblastoma.

Key information

• Supervisor: A/Prof. Jan Škoda, Ph.D.
• Study program: Molecular and Cell Biology and Genetics (MUNI SCI)
• 4-year fully funded position (guaranteed doctoral study income)
• Salary covered from the directly related project "Drug repurposing for the therapy of MYC-driven pediatric tumors via mitochondrial synthetic lethality" (NW26-07-00021) of the Ministry of Healthcare of the Czech Republic

We are seeking a motivated & curiosity-driven candidate

• MSc (Mgr. or equivalent) degree, strong background in molecular and/or cell biology, eager to learn and adopt new skills
• Previous experience in cancer biology, zebrafish and/or mice experimentation, or mitochondrial research is a plus
• Motivated and proactive, with a strong drive to independently tackle scientifically challenging questions
• Team-oriented, with a positive mindset, and excellent communication skills

We offer a dynamic & stimulating research environment

• Work in a supportive team atmosphere on an interesting and clinically relevant project funded by the Czech Health Research Council (2026–2029)
• Close collaboration with leading experts, including research stays in the labs of our strong international partners at top institutions across the EU and in the USA
• Excellent in-house instrumentation and access to state-of-the-art core facilities, soft skills and professional development support
• Fostering mentorship from an experienced, internationally recognized supervisor
• A proven record of nurturing the career development of talented students: many have obtained research awards, grants or scholarships; PhD graduates highly competitive on the job market, securing research positions in R&D companies and top institutions such as Karolinska Institutet.