Adjuvant therapy with tamoxifen reduces the risk of recurrence and prolongs survival after diagnosis of oestrogen receptor–positive breast cancer. However, 30% to 50% of patients with adjuvant therapy experience relapses or die. There is recent evidence that response to treatment is considerably influenced by intrinsic host factors. To identify genetic variants that may predict disease outcome, we have genotyped genetic variants in candidate genes involved in cellular processes related to tamoxifen action in breast cancer patients with and without tamoxifen monotherapy.

Tailored statistical methods to identify genetic predictors of response to therapy with tamoxifen will be developed in this project in collaboration with PD Dr. Justo Lorenzo Bermejo, Institute of Medical Biometry and Informatics, University Hospital Heidelberg. Methodological improvements will focus on the robustification of standard methods for the statistical analysis of genetic data, for example, robust multiple imputation based on public data repositories and robust survival analysis. The gained knowledge should contribute to the refinement of breast cancer treatment.

The successful candidate will have the possibility to work at the interface of genetics and statistics and will gain substantial experience in both the practical analysis of genetic data and the development of novel statistical techniques.

We are looking for a highly motivated, well qualified statistician, mathematician, molecular biologist, geneticist or epidemiologist, ideally with practical experience in SAS and/or R. The candidate should have good analytical and communication skills, and be interested in working in an interdisciplinary team at the forefront of cancer research and biostatistics. Applications including a cover letter, CV and three reference letters should be submitted as one single PDF.

Application deadline: May 25, 2011

For more information, please visit official website: www.dkfz.de.

• The Komen College Scholarship Program, USA
• PhD in Cancer Research, Faculty of Medicine, University of Iceland
• PhD Student in Molecular Embryology, German Cancer Research Center
• PhD Position, Institute of Developmental Biology and Cancer, University of Nice Sophia Antipolis, France
• Postdoctoral Fellowship in Cancer Research, Duke University, USA
• Postdoctoral Position in Genomic and Bioinformatic Cancer Research, Georg-Speyer-Haus, University of Frankfurt, Germany
• PhD Studentships, Institute of Cancer Research, UK
• Master / Doctoral Student in Bioinformatics and Cellular Mechanics, German Cancer Research Center
• The International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC) Fellowships 2011 - 2012, France
• PhD Studentship in Radiation Oncology & Experimental Cancer Research, Ghent University, Belgium

Disclaimer: Every effort has been made to ensure the above information is current and correct. However, applicants should contact the appropriate administering body before making an application, as details do change frequently.