Call | Open Positions

Supervisor: Prim. Assoc. Prof. PD Dr. Martin Aigner

Interdisciplinary collaboration between child and adolescent psychiatry and adult psychiatry can make a significant contribution to overcoming existing challenges and improving care and treatment outcomes for patients of all ages. The optimal solution could be a combination of both approaches: the establishment of specialized transition psychiatry teams within an interdisciplinary framework. Transferring the success of adult psychiatry to child and adolescent psychiatry requires careful adaption and further development of existing approaches. By combining preventive measures, individualized therapies, interdisciplinary collaboration and the use of modern technologies, the effectiveness and accessibility of treatment for children and adolescents can be significantly improved. A holistic approach that takes into account the specific developmental needs of this age group is crucial. The same applies to the second transition from adulthood to Palliative medicine.

This PhD project will be conducted independently of a working assignment with the KL or a University clinic.

Methods: Interdisciplinary collaboration research to bridge the gap between basic science and clinical implementation, between subjective and objective knowledge, including validated questionnaires, advanced statistical analysis, implementation of new therapy modules, public and patient involvement.

References: 

• Fischer-Grote L, Fössing V, Aigner M, Fehrmann E, Boeckle M. Effectiveness of Online and Remote Interventions for Mental Health in Children, Adolescents, and Young Adults After the Onset of the COVID-19 Pandemic: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis. JMIR Ment Health. 2024;11:e46637.
• Himmerich H, Lewis YD, Conti C, Mutwalli H, Karwautz A, Sjögren JM, Uribe Isaza MM, Tyszkiewicz-Nwafor M, Aigner M, McElroy SL, Treasure J, Kasper S; WFSBP Task Force on Eating Disorders. World Federation of Societies of Biological Psychiatry (WFSBP) guidelines update 2023 on the pharmacological treatment of eating disorders. World J Biol Psychiatry. 2023;24:1-64.
• Fellinger M, Knasmüller P, Kocsis-Bogar K, Wippel A, Fragner L, Mairhofer D, Hochgatterer P, Aigner M. Adverse childhood experiences as risk factors for recurrent admissions in young psychiatric inpatients. Front Psychiatry. 2022;13:988695

Ethical challenges of AI-based predictive diagnostics in dementia care This dissertation project focusses on imaginaries of AI uses and applications in dementia care, with a particular focus on the predictive aspects of AI. It maps the ethical dimension of using AI-based predictive analytics in dementia care; debates the valuations and the diverse notions of ‘good’ in AI use for dementia prediction; and develops a model of ageing well for the era of predictive AI for dementia care. 

It uses mixed qualitative methods: discourse analysis of policy documents, expert interviews, and participant observations at public events. 

Applicants are encouraged to further refine the project’s scope to align it with their research interests and the current state of the art in their research field as part of the essay they submit during the application. 

• Host institution: Karl Landsteiner University (KL), Austria 
• Preferred start date: October 2026 
• Contract duration: 36 months full-time 
• Supervisors: Assist.Prof. Vera Gallistl (KL), Prof. Giovanni Rubeis (Universitätsmedizin Greifswald) 
• Secondments: Open University of the Netherlands (Netherlands), Technical University of Vienna (Austria), VTT Technical Research Center (Finland)

https://digi4age.net/job-openings/

Supervisor: Univ.-Prof. Dr. Silvia Exenberger-Vanham

The supervisor’s research interests lie in the field of clinical and positive psychology, with the aim of attaining a holistic understanding of human beings. Specifically, focus is put on the exploration and examination of resilience, posttraumatic growth, well-being and trauma in children, adolescents and adults from Western and non-Western cultural backgrounds. Research questions are answered from both an emic and an etic perspective with the use of qualitative & quantitative methods, and mixed-methods designs accordingly.

The PhD project is linked to a PhD position at the KL (KL and/or third party funding).

Methods:

Research questions are answered from both an emic and an etic perspective with the use of qualitative & quantitative methods, and mixed-methods designs accordingly.

References: 

• Steidl, A, Kamara, A, Aziz, A, Massaquoi, AS, & Exenberger, S. (2025) World assumptions and their role when facing trauma in urban Sierra Leone: a complementary mixed methods study. International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-being, 20(1):2554483. PMC12409864
• Steidl, A., Kamara, A., Massaquoi, A. S., Aziz, A., & Exenberger, S. (2025). Trauma in urban sierra leone: Exploring its sociocultural, historical, and political context. Journal of Loss and Trauma. Advance online publication. https://doi.org/10.1080/15325024.2025.2471814
• Weiss, E. M., Fink, A., Papousek, I., Exenberger-Vanham, S., Lampe, A., Dresen, V., & Canazei, M. (2025). No particularly negative impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on the mental health of individuals with higher levels of childhood trauma. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 16, 1452732. PMID: 40256157
• Pfitscher, G., Taferner, C., Marketz, C., Sevecke, K., & Exenberger, S.* (2025). Children’s posttraumatic growth in the aftermath of the Covid-19 pandemic in Austria: a mixed methods study. Journal of Happiness Studies, 26:59. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10902-025-00891-7
• Kohlböck, G., Wenter, A., Sevecke, K., & Exenberger, S. (2023). Differences in perceived threat and trauma in children during the Covid-19 pandemic. BMC Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Mental Health PMID: 37386592

For more information, please refer to the supervisor's profile in KRIS (Karl Landsteiner Research Information System). 

Supervisor: Univ.-Prof. PD Mag. Dr. Stefan Stieger

Concerns about the impact of smartphones on adolescents’ mental health are widespread. Despite some (inconsistent) evidence that more smartphone use is related to worse mental health, recent findings suggest that the harmful effect of smartphones has probably been overstated. By addressing the methodological and conceptual limitations of previous research, our study will yield more conclusive and complete knowledge about the impact of smartphones on adolescents’ mental health. Specifically, we objectively measure distinct smartphone behaviors; disentangle the extent to which smartphone use causally affects mental health, and vice versa; and consider how smartphone use may not only harm but also benefit mental health. We examine gender differences, the role of parental regulation, and the extent to which smartphone use displaces other activities.

The PhD project is linked to a PhD position at the KL (KL and/or third party funding)

Methods:
Experience Sampling Method (ESM) design using smartphones

References:

• Willinger, D., Wunderl, S., & Stieger, S. (2026). The tug-of-war between engagement and dysregulation: A comprehensive analysis of cognition and Internet Gaming Disorder in adolescents. Computers in Human Behavior, 182, 109025. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2026.109025
• Stieger, S., Volsa, S., & Götz, F. M. (2024). No consistent evidence for associations between various forms of social media usage and emotional prowess: A multi-study approach with three adult samples. Collabra, 10(1), 122519. https://doi.org/10.1525/collabra.122519
• Lewetz, D., & Stieger, S. (2024). ESMira: A decentralized open-source application for collecting experience sampling data. Behavior Research Methods, 56, 4421-4434. http://doi.org/10.3758/s13428-023-02194-2
• Stieger, S., Lewetz, D., & Willinger, D. (2023). Face-to-face more important than digital communication for mental health during the pandemic. Scientific Reports, 13, 8022. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-023-34957-4
• Stieger, S., & Wunderl, S. (2022). Associations between social media use and cognitive abilities: Results from a large-scale study of adolescents. Computers in Human Behavior, 135, 107358. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chb.2022.107358

For more information, please refer to the supervisor's profile in KRIS (Karl Landsteiner Research Information System). 

Supervisor: Univ.-Prof. Mag. Dr. Gerald Obermair

α₂δ proteins are abundantly expressed in the brain. They serve as auxiliary subunits of voltage-gated calcium channels and have emerged as regulators of synaptic functions, including synapse formation, synapse differentiation, and trans-synaptic signaling. Mutations in genes encoding α₂δ proteins are associated with neurodevelopmental disorders including epilepsy, autism, and schizophrenia.

This PhD project will investigate the role of α₂δ proteins in neuronal differentiation and synapse formation and will combine established neuronal cell culture models with novel phenotyping approaches. In collaboration with project partners, automated high-content microscopy and AI/deep-learning-supported image analysis will be used to quantify neuronal morphology and maturation, including dendrite length and branching, axon growth, synapse density, and neuronal network formation.

The project will also address the identification of novel neurogenic or synaptogenic factors, particularly secreted factors, and their effects on neuronal growth, differentiation, and synapse formation. The final scientific focus will be defined together with the PhD student.

The PhD project is linked to a PhD position at KL (third party funding).

Methods: primary neuronal cell culture, iPSC-derived neuronal models, high- and super-resolution immunofluorescence microscopy, automated image analysis, high-content microscopy, AI/deep-learning-supported phenotyping, molecular biology, live-cell imaging, calcium imaging, patch-clamp electrophysiology, protein biochemistry.

References:

• Geisler S, Schöpf CL, Stanika R, Kalb M, Campiglio M, Repetto D, Traxler L, Missler M, Obermair GJ. Presynaptic α₂δ-2 Calcium Channel Subunits Regulate Postsynaptic GABA_A Receptor Abundance and Axonal Wiring. J Neurosci. 2019 Apr 3;39(14):2581-2605. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2234-18.2019. Epub 2019 Jan 25. PMID: 30683685; PMCID: PMC6445987.
• Schöpf CL, Ablinger C, Geisler SM, Stanika RI, Campiglio M, Kaufmann WA, Nimmervoll B, Schlick B, Brockhaus J, Missler M, Shigemoto R, Obermair GJ. Presynaptic α₂δ subunits are key organizers of glutamatergic synapses. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2021 Apr 6;118(14):e1920827118. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1920827118. PMID: 33782113; PMCID: PMC8040823.
• Hessenberger M, Haddad S, Obermair GJ. Pathophysiological Roles of Auxiliary Calcium Channel α₂δ Subunits. Handb Exp Pharmacol. 2023;279:289-316. doi: 10.1007/164_2022_630. PMID: 36598609.
• Haddad S, Ablinger C, Stanika R, Hessenberger M, Campiglio M, Ortner NJ, Tuluc P, Obermair GJ. A biallelic mutation in CACNA2D2 associated with developmental and epileptic encephalopathy affects calcium channel-dependent as well as synaptic functions of α₂δ-2. J Neurochem. 2025 Jan;169(1):e16197. doi: 10.1111/jnc.16197. Epub 2024 Aug 19. PMID: 39161180; PMCID: PMC11657932.

For more information, please refer to the supervisor's profile in KRIS (Karl Landsteiner Research Information System). 

Supervisor: Prim. Assoc. Prof. PD Christian Dorfer, MBA

Simulating complex neurosurgical procedures is difficult due to limitations regarding cadaver specimens. Currently used fixation methods are not capable to create realistic intraoperative tissue and vessel consistency. Especially the texture of cerebral veins is quite fragile with high risk for perforation when injecting filling material. Also, the brain itself is either too stiff to mobilize or too soft for dissection depending on the used perfusion and immersion fluids. Therefore, new fixation protocols are needed in order to offer outstanding neurosurgical training necessary for e. g. epilepsy surgery. Furthermore, we aim to optimize established surgical procedures towards even more minimally invasive approaches. In relation to this research a neurosurgical skills lab will be set up at the University Hospital St. Pölten offering courses to national and international participants.

The PhD project is linked to a clinical position at university hospital St. Pölten (Facharzt/Fachärztin in Ausbildung)

Methods:

• Vessel injections, fixation and immersion techniques
• Dissection of human and animal cadaver specimens
• Optimizing established surgical approaches and procedures
• Descriptive and explorative analysis on anatomical findings

References:

• A curriculum for epilepsy surgery: A report from the Surgical Commission's Epilepsy Surgery Educational Task Force and the Educational Council of the ILAE. Dorfer et al. Epileptic Disord. 2025 Oct;27(5):718-728. doi: 10.1002/epd2.70054. Epub 2025 Jun 26.PMID: 40569634 
• Surgical Anatomy of Vertical Perithalamic Hemispherotomy. Dorfer et al. Oper Neurosurg. 2020 May 1;18(5):511-517. doi: 10.1093/ons/opz214.PMID: 31407011 
• The Superior Thalamic Vein and its Variations: A Proposed Classification. Dorfer et al. Oper Neurosurg. 2018 Jun 1;14(6):675-680. doi: 10.1093/ons/opx157.PMID: 28973580

For more information, please refer to the supervisor's profile in KRIS (Karl Landsteiner Research Information System). 

Supervisor: Univ.-Prof. Dr. Heike Heidemeier

The PhD position is embedded within the Department of Work and Organizational Psychology at Karl Landsteiner University of Health Sciences (Austria). The department investigates how personality and identity shape employee well-being, motivation, and performance in the workplace. Research combines theory-driven questions with rigorous quantitative methods to better understand psychological processes in organizational settings.

Depending on their interests, the candidate will contribute to one of two research projects:

• Psychological Entitlement and Interpersonal Functioning at Work: This project examines how psychological entitlement – a central component of narcissistic personality – shapes interpersonal behavior, social relationships, and self-regulatory processes in organizational contexts.
• The Psychological Mechanisms Underlying Workplace Boredom: This project investigates individual and situational factors that contribute to the emergence of boredom at work and its consequences for employee well-being.

The position offers the opportunity to contribute to international research and develop advanced expertise in quantitative research methods and statistical data analysis.

The PhD project is linked to a PhD position at the KL (KL and/or third party funding)

Methods:

The successful candidate will conduct quantitative empirical research using a range of methodological approaches, including longitudinal, diary, and experimental designs. 

References:

• Heidemeier, H. (2026). Entitlement Is Associated with Attenuated Self-Esteem Contingency: A Self-Regulatory Basis for Boldness in Interpersonal Risk Regulation. forthcoming. 
• Heidemeier, H. (2026). Reduced Benefits of Authentic Self-Expression in Work Tasks: Towards Understanding the Link between Psychopathy and Workplace Boredom. forthcoming.
• Heidemeier, H., & Moser, K. (2019). A self‐regulation account of the job performance–job satisfaction relationship. European Journal of Social Psychology, 49(6), 1313–1328. https://doi.org/10.1002/ejsp.2573

For more information, please refer to the supervisor's profile in KRIS (Karl Landsteiner Research Information System). 

Supervisor: OA Clin. Ass. Prof. PD Dr. Bahil Darson Ghanim PhD

Biomarkers help in decision making and estimating prognosis (prognostic biomarker) and treatment response (predictive biomarker). Thoracic surgical oncology can improve survival in lung cancer, mesothelioma, thymoma and rare diseases. The PhD research project aims to discover prognostic and predictive biomarkers for guiding tailored treatment in thoracic malignancies to achieve the best outcome for the patient.

The PhD project is linked to a clinical position at hospital Oberwart/ Department of Thoracic Surgery (Facharzt/Fachärztin in Ausbildung)

Methods: 

Clinical reasearch, immunohistochemistry, statistics, ELISA

References:

• Ki67 Tumor Expression Predicts Treatment Benefit Achieved by Macroscopic Radical Lung-Preserving Surgery in Pleural Mesothelioma-A Retrospective Multicenter Analysis. Hintermair S, Iser S, Varga A, Biesinger M, Bohanes T, Celik A, Sayan M, Kankoç A, Akyurek N, Öğüt B, Stubenberger E, Ghanim B. Cancers (Basel). 2024 May
• Validation of Inflammatory Prognostic Biomarkers in Pleural Mesothelioma.Iser S, Hintermair S, Varga A, Çelik A, Sayan M, Kankoç A, Akyürek N, Öğüt B, Bertoglio P, Capozzi E, Solli P, Ventura L, Waller D, Weber M, Stubenberger E, Ghanim B. Cancers (Basel). 2023 Dec
• Lymph but Not Blood Vessel Invasion Is Independent Prognostic in Lung Cancer Patients Treated by VATS-Lobectomy and Might Represent a Future Upstaging Factor for Early Stages. Biesinger M, Eicken N, Varga A, Weber M, Brndiar M, Erd G, Errhalt P, Hackner K, Hintermair S, Petter-Puchner A, Scheed A, Stubenberger E, Ghanim B*.Cancers (Basel). 2022 Apr
• Tumour cell PD-L1 expression is prognostic in patients with malignant pleural effusion: the impact of C-reactive protein and immune-checkpoint inhibition. Ghanim B, Rosenmayr A, Stockhammer P, Vogl M, Celik A, Bas A, Kurul IC, Akyurek N, Varga A, Plönes T, Bankfalvi A, Hager T, Schuler M, Hackner K, Errhalt P, Scheed A, Seebacher G, Hegedus B, Stubenberger E, Aigner C. Sci Rep. 2020 Apr
• Intrathoracic solitary fibrous tumor - an international multicenter study on clinical outcome and novel circulating biomarkers.Ghanim B, Hess S, Bertoglio P, Celik A, Bas A, Oberndorfer F, Melfi F, Mussi A, Klepetko W, Pirker C, Berger W, Harmati I, Farkas A, Jan Ankersmit H, Dome B, Fillinger J, Aigner C, Hegedus B, Renyi-Vamos F, Lang G. Sci Rep. 2017 Oct

For more information, please refer to the supervisor's profile in KRIS (Karl Landsteiner Research Information System). 

Supervisor: Univ.-Prof. Dr. Piero Fossati MD

Clinical applications of particle therapy and specifically of carbon ions radiotherapy focusing on Linear Energy Transfer optimization, anticipated carbon ions boost for resensitization, combination of particle therapy and immunotherapy and on biomarkers of early response to guide biologically adaptive radiotherapy

The PhD project is linked to a PhD position at the KL (KL and/or third party funding)

Methods:

• perform treatment planning study and retrospective evaluation of treated patients to design innovative clinical data, 
• collect patient sample to identify potential biomarkers correlating with outcome

References:

• Nachankar A, Gora J, Schafasand M, Fuß M, Hug E, Carlino A, Lütgendorf-Caucig C, Stock M, Fossati P. Impact of dose and dose-averaged linear energy transfer on oro-pharyngeal-mucosal toxicity in patients with non-squamous head and neck cancers treated with carbon-ion radiotherapy. Radiother Oncol. 2026 Jan;214:111314. doi: 10.1016/j.radonc.2025.111314. Epub 2025 Nov 28. PMID:41318000.
• Popova K, Benedum J, Engl M, Lütgendorf-Caucig C, Fossati P, Widder J, Podar K, Slade D. PARP7 as a new target for activating anti-tumor immunity in cancer. EMBO Mol Med. 2025 May;17(5):872-888. doi: 10.1038/s44321-025-00214-6. Epub 2025 Mar 24. PMID: 40128585; PMCID: PMC12081928.
• Nachankar A, Pelak M, Schafasand M, Martino G, Tubin S, Hug E, Carlino A, Lütgendorf-Caucig C, Stock M, Fossati P. Carbon-Ion Radiotherapy for Head and Neck Mucosal Melanoma: Preliminary Clinical Outcomes and the MedAustron Approach for Reporting RBE-Weighted Dose With 2 Models. Int J Part Ther. 2025 Jan 9;15:100738. doi: 10.1016/j.ijpt.2025.100738. PMID: 39896178; PMCID: PMC11786705.
• Barcellini A, Molinelli S, Vanoli A, Vitolo V, Fossati P, Vai A, Pagani A, Inzani F, Pecorilla M, Butturini G, Klersy C, Preda L, Facoetti A, Valvo F, Orlandi E. Preoperative chemo-CIRT in Re/BRe pancreatic cancer: Insights from a multicenter prospective phase II clinical study (NCT03822936). Tumori. 2024 Dec;110(6):470-474. doi: 10.1177/03008916241291341. Epub 2024 Oct 27. PMID: 39462835.
• Schafasand M, Resch AF, Nachankar A, Góra J, Martino G, Traneus E, Glimelius L, Georg D, Fossati P, Carlino A, Stock M. Dose averaged linear energy transfer optimization for large sacral chordomas in carbon ion therapy. Med Phys. 2024 Jun;51(6):3950-3960. doi: 10.1002/mp.17102. Epub 2024 May 2. PMID: 38696546.

For more information, please refer to the supervisor's profile in KRIS (Karl Landsteiner Research Information System). 

Supervisor: Univ.-Prof. PD DI Markus Stock PhD 

Technology/methodology development for advanced particle therapy procedures in the context of ventricular tachycardia. First feasibility studies were already conducted and prepared the ground for the initiation of clinical introduction of this new treatment modality. This topic includes advanced motion management strategies as well as automated target definition concept to allow for a smooth clinical workflow.

The PhD project is linked to a PhD position at the KL (KL and/or third party funding).

Methods:

• motion management
• automated contouring
• automated planning
• image registration

References:

• Trnkovà P, Dasu A, Placidi L, Stock M, Toma-Dasu I, Brouwer CL, Gosling A, Jouglar E, Kristensen I, Martin V, Moinuddin S, Pasquie I, Peters S, Pica A, Plaude S, Righetto R, Rombi B, Thariat J, Van Der Weide H, Hoffmann A, Bolsi A (2024) Patterns of practice of image guided particle therapy for cranio-spinal irradiation: A site specific multi-institutional survey of European Particle Therapy Network.  Physica Medica
• Dreindl R, Bolsa-Ferruz M, Fayos-Sola R, Padilla Cabal F, Scheuchenpflug L, Elia A, Amico A, Carlino A, Stock M, Grevillot L (2024) Commissioning and clinical implementation of an             independent dose calculation system for scanned proton beams.  J Appl Clin Med Phys
• Brunner J, Langgartner L, Danhel H, Birkfellner W, Richter C, Wagenaar D, Stock M, Georg D, Knäusl B (2024) Dosimetric characteristics of 3D-printed and epoxy-based materials for particle therapy phantoms. Front. Phys
• Schafasand M, Resch AF, Nachankar A, Góra J, Martino G, Traneus E, Glimelius L, Georg D, Fossati P, Carlino A, Stock M (2024) Dose averaged linear energy    transfer optimization for large sacral chordomas in carbon ion therapy.  Med Phys
• Nachankar A, Schafasand M, Hug E, Martino G, Góra J, Carlino A, Stock M, Fossati P (2024) Sacral-Nerve-Sparing Planning Strategy in Pelvic Sarcomas/Chordomas Treated with Carbon-Ion Radiotherapy Cancers (Basel).

For more information, please refer to the supervisor's profile in KRIS (Karl Landsteiner Research Information System). 

Supervisor: OÄ PD Dr. Sonia Vallet

• Elucidation of the pathogenesis of bone metastastic disease in multiple myeloma, breast cancer and genitourinary malignancies (role of chemokines, interactions of tumor cells with osteoblasts and osteoclasts);
• Development of 3D models of the bone metastatic niche mimicking tumor-bone interactions;
• Analysis of the tumor-immune interactions within the bone metastatic niche;
• Identification of novel treatment strategies in multiple myeloma, breast cancer and genitourinary malignancies (cytokine inhibition, induction of apoptosis);
• Investigation of bone turnover in cancer patients (effects of cachexia, tumor progress, cancer therapies);
• Treatment of genitourinary cancers (renal cell carcinoma, prostate cancer)

The PhD project is linked to a PhD position at the KL (KL and/or third party funding).

Methods:

Cell culture, confocal microscopy, immunohistochemistry, western blotting and qPCR, omics data analysis, ELISA assays, statistical analysis (including R and SPSS).

References:

• PYCR1 inhibition in bone marrow stromal cells enhances bortezomib sensitivity in multiple myeloma cells by altering their metabolism. Oudaert I, van den Broecke L, Aksoy O, Lind J, Vallet S, Van der Vreken A, Ates G, Massie A, Maes K, De Veirman K, De Bruyne E, Vanderkerken K, Podar K, Menu E. Mol Oncol. 2026 Feb;20(2):447-463. doi: 10.1002/1878-0261.70120. Epub 2025 Sep 11. PMID: 40932053
• Favorable Impact of PD1/PD-L1 Antagonists on Bone Remodeling: An Exploratory Prospective Clinical Study and ex-vivo Validation. Gassner T, Chittilappilly C, Pirich T, Neuditschko B, Hackner K, Lind J, Aksoy O, Graichen U, Klee S, Herzog F, Wiesner C, Errhalt P, Pecherstorfer M, Podar K, Vallet S. J Immunother. Cancer. 2024 May 3;12(5):e008669. doi: 10.1136/jitc-2023-008669. PMID: 38702145
• Dual therapeutic targeting of MYC and JUNB transcriptional programs for enhanced anti-myeloma activity. Lind J, Aksoy O, Prchal-Murphy M, Fan F, Fulciniti M, Stoiber D, Bakiri L, Wagner EF, Zwickl-Traxler E, Sattler M, Kollmann K, Vallet S, Podar K. Blood Cancer J. 2024 Aug 19;14(1):138. doi: 10.1038/s41408-024-01117-4. PMID: 39160158
• Effect of cachexia on bone turnover in cancer patients: a case-control study. Zwickl H, Zwickl-Traxler E, Haushofer A, Seier J, Podar K, Weber M, Hackner K, Jacobi N, Pecherstorfer M, Vallet S. BMC Cancer. 2021 Jun 28;21(1):744. doi: 10.1186/s12885-021-08518-9. PMID: 34182958
• Rationally derived drug combinations with the novel Mcl-1 inhibitor EU-5346 in breast cancer. Vallet S, Fan F, Malvestiti S, Pecherstorfer M, Sattler M, Schneeweiss A, Schulze-Bergkamen H, Opferman JT, Cardone MH, Jäger D, Podar K.Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2019 Feb;173(3):585-596. doi: 10.1007/s10549-018-5022-5. PMID: 30374681

For more information, please refer to the supervisor's profile in KRIS (Karl Landsteiner Research Information System). 

Supervisor: OÄ PD Dr. Sonia Vallet

• Elucidation of the pathogenesis of bone metastastic disease in multiple myeloma, breast cancer and genitourinary malignancies (role of chemokines, interactions of tumor cells with osteoblasts and osteoclasts),
• Development of 3D models of the bone metastatic niche mimicking tumor-bone interactions,
• Analysis of the tumor-immune interactions within the bone metastatic niche,
• Identification of novel treatment strategies in multiple myeloma, breast cancer and genitourinary malignancies (cytokine inhibition, induction of apoptosis),
• Investigation of bone turnover in cancer patients (effects of cachexia, tumor progress, cancer therapies),
• Treatment of genitourinary cancers (renal cell carcinoma, prostate cancer)

The PhD project is linked to a clinical position (Facharzt/Fachärztin in Ausbildung)

at university hospital Krems, Department of Internal Medicine 2, , Karl Landsteiner University and Department of Molecular Oncology and Hematology, Faculty of Medicine, Karl Landsteiner University

Methods:

Cell culture, confocal microscopy, immunohistochemistry, omics data analysis, statistical analysis (including R and SPSS)

References:

• PYCR1 inhibition in bone marrow stromal cells enhances bortezomib sensitivity in multiple myeloma cells by altering their metabolism. Oudaert I, van den Broecke L, Aksoy O, Lind J, Vallet S, Van der Vreken A, Ates G, Massie A, Maes K, De Veirman K, De Bruyne E, Vanderkerken K, Podar K, Menu E. Mol Oncol. 2026 Feb;20(2):447-463. doi: 10.1002/1878-0261.70120. Epub 2025 Sep 11. PMID: 40932053
• Favorable Impact of PD1/PD-L1 Antagonists on Bone Remodeling: An Exploratory Prospective Clinical Study and ex-vivo Validation. Gassner T, Chittilappilly C, Pirich T, Neuditschko B, Hackner K, Lind J, Aksoy O, Graichen U, Klee S, Herzog F, Wiesner C, Errhalt P, Pecherstorfer M, Podar K, Vallet S. J Immunother. Cancer. 2024 May 3;12(5):e008669. doi: 10.1136/jitc-2023-008669. PMID: 38702145
• Dual therapeutic targeting of MYC and JUNB transcriptional programs for enhanced anti-myeloma activity. Lind J, Aksoy O, Prchal-Murphy M, Fan F, Fulciniti M, Stoiber D, Bakiri L, Wagner EF, Zwickl-Traxler E, Sattler M, Kollmann K, Vallet S, Podar K. Blood Cancer J. 2024 Aug 19;14(1):138. doi: 10.1038/s41408-024-01117-4. PMID: 39160158
• Effect of cachexia on bone turnover in cancer patients: a case-control study. Zwickl H, Zwickl-Traxler E, Haushofer A, Seier J, Podar K, Weber M, Hackner K, Jacobi N, Pecherstorfer M, Vallet S. BMC Cancer. 2021 Jun 28;21(1):744. doi: 10.1186/s12885-021-08518-9. PMID: 34182958
• Rationally derived drug combinations with the novel Mcl-1 inhibitor EU-5346 in breast cancer. Vallet S, Fan F, Malvestiti S, Pecherstorfer M, Sattler M, Schneeweiss A, Schulze-Bergkamen H, Opferman JT, Cardone MH, Jäger D, Podar K.Breast Cancer Res Treat. 2019 Feb;173(3):585-596. doi: 10.1007/s10549-018-5022-5. PMID: 30374681

For more information, please refer to the supervisor's profile in KRIS (Karl Landsteiner Research Information System).