Join TagTIC: Shape the Future of
Infection-Driven Cancer Research

Apply for one of 11 doctoral research projects combining infection biology, cancer research, organoid models, AI and drug discovery across Europe.

  • Project start: January 2027

  • Application deadline: 25.09.2026

  • Locations: Austria • Germany • Denmark • Italy • Poland • Spain

Benefits

Salary

The positions are funded in accordance with the MSCA-DN rules. The monthly grant for researchers consists of the MSCA living allowance of 4,010 EUR, adjusted by the country correction coefficient of the host country, and the monthly mobility allowance of 710 EUR. These amounts are gross amounts from which mandatory deductions, including taxes and social security contributions, are withheld by employers and employees in accordance with applicable national law. Where applicable, an additional family allowance of 660 EUR per month is paid, which is also subject to applicable national tax and social security regulations.

Training

Every doctoral researcher receives:

  • Joint supervision

  • Industrial mentor

  • International secondment

  • Scientific workshops

  • Transferable skills programme

  • Entrepreneurship training

  • AI & Data Science

  • Communication

  • Grant writing

  • Open Science

Eligibility criteria

We welcome applications from highly motivated candidates with an excellent academic background and a strong interest in interdisciplinary research at the interface of infection biology, cancer research, artificial intelligence, and drug discovery.
Applicants must fulfil the Marie Skłodowska-Curie Doctoral Network (MSCA-DN) eligibility criteria:
  • Hold (or obtain before recruitment) a Master’s degree (or equivalent) that qualifies for enrolment in a doctoral programme.
  • Not already hold a doctoral degree (PhD) at the date of recruitment.
  • Comply with the MSCA Mobility Rule: applicants must not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of the recruiting institution for more than 12 months during the 36 months immediately before recruitment.
  • Demonstrate excellent English communication skills.
  • Be enthusiastic about working in an international, interdisciplinary and intersectoral research environment.

Applicants from all nationalities are encouraged to apply

Before you apply

  • Read the project descriptions carefully.
  • Check that you fulfil the MSCA eligibility criteria, particularly the Mobility Rule.
  • Select your 1st, 2nd and 3rd preferred projects in the application portal.
  • Prepare your CV, cover letter, academic transcripts, and contact two referees to submit a confidential letter of reference​ to tagtic@plus.ac.at

How to apply

  • 1

    Fill the form​ before September 25th 2026.

  • 2
    Download the “Reference Letter” form and ask your supervisor to complete it and send it directly to tagtic@plus.ac.at
Only complete applications are considered. If you have any questions, contact tagtic@plus.ac.at

The Research Projects

Project 1

Cooperative oncogenesis: H. pylori and EBV in gastric epithelial transformation

Investigate how bacterial and viral co-infections cooperate to initiate gastric cancer using advanced human organoid and assembloid models. Identify early biomarkers and therapeutic targets through imaging, transcriptomics and AI-supported analyses.
  • Keywords: Organoids • EBV • H. pylori • AI

  • Secondments: Helmholtz Munich (Germany), Helmholtz Saarland (Germany), TissueGnostics (Austria)

  • Host institution: PLUS Salzburg, Austria (Silja Wessler)
Project 2

Small-molecule inhibitors targeting EBV signalling

Develop novel inhibitors that block the oncogenic interaction between the Epstein–Barr virus protein LMP1 and its host signalling partner TRAF6. Combine high-throughput screening, organoid models and phosphoproteomics to establish innovative antiviral cancer therapies.

  • Keywords: Drug Discovery • EBV • HTS • Proteomics

  • Secondments: PLUS Salzburg (Austria), DeepMirror (UK)

  • Host institution: Munich, Germany (Arnd Kieser)

Project 3

Improving drug response in Fusobacterium nucleatum-positive colorectal cancer

Explore why bacterial infection promotes therapy resistance in colorectal cancer. Use patient-derived organoids, immune co-cultures and targeted drug combinations to identify more effective treatment strategies.

  • Keywords: Colorectal Cancer • Organoids • Immunology • Drug Screening

  • Secondments: Sapienza University of Rome (Italy), DKFZ (Germany), ImmunoTools (Germany)

  • Host institution: PLUS Salzburg, Austria (Richard Moriggl)

Project 4

Target discovery in H. pylori and F. nucleatum-induced transformation

Identify novel bacterial virulence factors required for infection and tumour initiation using genome-wide mutant libraries and human organoid infection models. The project aims to provide new targets for next-generation anti-infective therapies.

  • Keywords: Microbiology • Genetics • Organoids • Target Discovery

  • Secondments: Aarhus University (Denmark), Gene2Lead (Canada)

  • Host institution: University of Gdansk, Poland (Joanna Skorko-Glonek)

Project 5

Restoring epithelial immunity to prevent colorectal cancer

Investigate how impaired epithelial immunity promotes persistent bacterial colonisation and cancer development. Combine organoid, assembloid and mouse models with single-cell and spatial transcriptomics to identify preventive therapeutic strategies.
  • Keywords: Immunology • Spatial Omics • Organoids • Cancer Prevention

  • Secondments: University of Gdansk (Poland), Molecular Devices (Austria)

  • Host institution: Aarhus University, Denmark (Cindrilla Chumduri)
Project 6

AI-guided design of novel therapeutics for gastrointestinal cancers

Apply computational medicinal chemistry, AI and molecular modelling to design innovative inhibitors targeting HDACs, KRAS and EBV signalling pathways. The goal is to develop next-generation therapies for infection-associated gastrointestinal cancers.
  • Keywords: AI • Medicinal Chemistry • Molecular Modelling • Drug Design

  • Secondments: PLUS Salzburg (Austria), Helmholtz Munich (Germany), Gene2Lead (Canada)

  • Host institution: Sapienza University of Rome, Italy (Rino Ragno)
Project 7

Drug discovery against bacterial virulence

Develop selective small-molecule inhibitors targeting the essential Helicobacter pylori protease HtrA as an alternative to conventional antibiotics. Integrate medicinal chemistry, biophysics and organoid infection models to combat infection-driven cancer.
  • Keywords: Medicinal Chemistry • Biophysics • Anti-virulence • ADMET

  • Secondments: PLUS Salzburg (Austria), MyxoTech (Germany)

  • Host institution: Helmholtz Institute for Pharmaceutical Research Saarland (HIPS), Germany (Anna K. H. Hirsch)
Project 8

Tumour evolution and therapy resistance in gastric cancer

Investigate how chronic infection and inflammation reshape tumour evolution and reduce treatment efficacy. Use patient-derived organoids, multi-omics and drug screening to identify biomarkers and new therapeutic vulnerabilities.
  • Keywords: Patient-derived Organoids • Multi-omics • Therapy Resistance

  • Secondments: Sapienza University of Rome (Italy), Cobiomic (Spain), PLUS Salzburg (Austria)

  • Host institution: Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Spain (Isabel Sánchez Pérez)
Project 9

Microbial metabolites rewiring colorectal cancer

Discover how Fusobacterium nucleatum-derived metabolites and secreted factors reprogramme colorectal cancer and alter therapy response and -targets. Combine patient-derived organoid models, perturbation asays and multi-omics approaches to uncover underlying mechanisms and identify novel therapeutic vulnerabilities.
  • Keywords: CRC Organoids • Metabolites • Cancer Signaling • Therapy Response

  • Secondments: PLUS Salzburg (Austria), Cobiomic (Spain)

  • Host institution: DKFZ, Heidelberg, Germany (Johannes Betge)
Project 10

Microbiome regulation of RNA modifications in cancer

Explore how bacteria and their metabolites alter epigenetic RNA modifications (m⁶A) and influence cancer therapy response. Develop innovative combination strategies targeting both the microbiome and RNA-modifying enzymes.
  • Keywords: Epitranscriptomics • Microbiome • RNA Biology • Precision Medicine

  • Secondments: Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (Spain), Molecular Devices (Austria), PLUS Salzburg (Austria)

  • Host institution: Sapienza University of Rome, Italy (Alessandro Fatica)
Project 11

Artificial Intelligence for infection-driven cancers

Develop explainable AI algorithms that integrate tissue imaging, spatial transcriptomics and microbiome data to identify biomarkers and predict disease progression. The project combines machine learning with advanced image cytometry to support precision oncology.
  • Keywords: Artificial Intelligence • Digital Pathology • Image Analysis • Multiomics

  • Secondments: Aarhus University (Denmark), PLUS Salzburg (Austria), Molecular Devices (Austria)

  • Host institution: TissueGnostics, Vienna, Austria (Rupert Ecker)