Postdoc Telomere Biology, DNA Repair and Genome Stability

Are you an ambitious postdoctoral researcher with a passion for molecular biology and cancer research? Would you like to explore how DNA secondary structures impact genome stability and how targeting them may create new opportunities for cancer treatment? The research group of Jacqueline Jacobs at the Division of Oncogenomics is looking for a motivated Postdoctoral Researcher to join an exciting research project funded by the Dutch Cancer Society (KWF). In this project, you will investigate the role of G-quadruplex (G4) DNA structures in telomere maintenance, DNA repair, and genome stability. You will contribute to cutting-edge research at the intersection of telomere biology, DNA damage responses, and cancer biology, with the potential to uncover novel therapeutic opportunities. We aim for the project to start in the first months of 2027. About the project The research group of Jacqueline Jacobs investigates the molecular mechanisms that safeguard telomeres and maintain genome stability, with a particular focus on DNA replication, DNA repair, and DNA damage responses. G-quadruplexes (G4s) are non-canonical DNA secondary structures that are highly enriched at telomeres and are increasingly recognised as potential therapeutic targets in cancer. Despite their growing importance, their precise roles in telomere maintenance and genome stability remain poorly understood. As a Postdoctoral Researcher, you will investigate how G4 DNA structures influence telomere protection, DNA repair pathway choice, and the development of genome instability. Using a combination of genetic and pharmacological approaches, advanced microscopy, long-read telomere sequencing, and transcriptomic analyses, you will study these processes in both normal and cancer cells. This project will provide fundamental insight into the interplay between DNA secondary structures, telomere biology, and genome maintenance. Ultimately, the findings may contribute to the development of novel therapeutic strategies for cancers characterised by telomere dysfunction or defective DNA repair. Why the Netherlands Cancer Institute? Science is at the heart of everything we do at the NKI. But breakthroughs don't happen through science alone; they happen through people – curious minds, bold thinkers, people who challenge assumptions and turn complex questions into meaningful discoveries. Around 600 scientists, together with 150 scientific and 150 administrative professionals, work here across the full spectrum of cancer research, from fundamental science to clinical innovation. With roughly 55 nationalities represented, we form a vibrant international community where English is our shared language and every voice carries equal weight. Moreover, an active Postdoctoral Association organizes scientific, career development, networking and social events throughout the year, while institute-wide training programs support both professional and personal development. Our institute sits just 15 minutes by bike from the heart of Amsterdam.