15 PhD positions in the MSCA-DN ORFeus: decoding the dark proteome

Description

ORFeus is a Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions Doctoral Network, funded by Horizon Europe (Grant Agreement No. 101309891) and coordinated by the Princess Máxima Center for Pediatric Oncology in Utrecht. It is recruiting 15 doctoral candidates for PhD projects starting in March 2027.

The science

Thousands of small open reading frames (smORFs), many in transcripts classed as non-coding, are translated into microproteins that standard genome annotation and proteomics miss. ORFeus aims to find these proteins, understand how their translation is regulated and what they do, and test their relevance for cancer and immunology.

The projects

The 15 projects are hosted at 14 institutions in the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium, Ireland, Spain, Norway, and Switzerland. They range from fully experimental to fully computational:

• Discovery and annotation (DC1 to DC5): machine learning for cross-species smORF prediction, single-molecule translation mapping with nanopore sequencing, rare translation events, microprotein interactions in bacterial infection, and capture of secreted microproteins by crosslinking mass spectrometry
• Function and regulation (DC6 to DC10): computational design of microprotein binders, lncRNA translation in human neurons, evolutionary analysis of new genes, single-cell translation after base editing, and thermal proteome profiling
• Cancer and immunology (DC11 to DC15): smORF-derived antigens in HPV-driven cancer, genetic variation in smORFs, stress-induced codon substitutions as neoepitopes, CRISPR screens for antigen presentation, and HLA presentation of cryptic peptides

  What we offer

  Full-time, 36-month employment contracts with full social security under MSCA conditions, with a living allowance (adjusted by the host country’s correction coefficient), a mobility allowance and, where applicable, a family allowance. Each doctoral candidate enrolls in a PhD program, spends around three months on a secondment with an industry or research partner, and joins a network-wide training program of schools, workshops and conferences.

  Who we are looking for

  Candidates with a master’s degree (or equivalent) in molecular biology, biochemistry, genetics, bioinformatics, computational biology, computer science, immunology, or a related field. MSCA eligibility rules apply: no doctoral degree, and no more than 12 months spent in the host country in the 36 months before recruitment. Any nationality may apply.

  How to apply

  Candidates can apply to up to three projects. Full project descriptions, supervisor details, eligibility information and application forms are available via the application link on this posting. Applications close on 22 October 2026, 23:59 CET.