Available Studentships (<front>)

The Cambridge ESRC Doctoral Training Partnership [CAM-DTP] is pleased to offer an interdisciplinary studentship available for admission in October 2025.

The studentship will be co-supervised by Dr Mirjana Bozic (Department of Psychology), Prof Brechtje Post (Theoretical and Applied Linguistics) and Dr Elaine Scmidt (Cambridge University Press and Assessment).

DTP students will acquire a unique set of skills that will equip them for high-profile careers as leading social scientists, in academia or in other government, industrial, commercial and third sector organisations, either in the UK or elsewhere.

Project description: This project integrates cognitive research with digital technology to develop an individualized approach to second language learning.

Tailoring instruction to students' abilities improves outcomes, while using multiple languages brings cognitive, cultural and economic benefits to individuals and society. Language learning is thus an obvious candidate for tailored instruction. Yet it is still dominated by one-size-fits-all approach. This has become a pressing issue as language education now faces a widening participation crisis. Many students, particularly from underrepresented backgrounds, are increasingly unable to access language programmes.

Digital technologies could help with this. Individualised language learning through digital technologies can make language learning more accessible, levelling the playing field for applicants with barriers to traditional language learning. They can increase flexibility, be more cost-effective, and most importantly be tailored to individual needs.

Our project will first identify key cognitive and environmental predictors of second language learning. It will focus on learning English as a second language, although the findings will be applicable generally. Collaborating with Cambridge University Press and Assessment, a world leading provider of language programmes, we will then create a digitally based method of individualised instruction, tailored to learners' unique predictors. We focus on adolescents as the population with a unique learning potential and motivation for learning a second language.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 3.5 years in the first instance.

ESRC Research Priority Area: Digital Society

The ideal student will have a language sciences or psychology background with theoretical knowledge of language processing and familiarity with experimental design with human participants. They will also have strong and demonstrable technical and programming skills. Candidates need to have excellent written and oral communication skills, in English.

CAM-DTP studentships support 3.5 - 4.5 years of full-time study. The studentship provides:

• Tuition fees up to the value of the national UKRI rate for Home students; international students are welcome to apply but will need additional scholarships, from alternative sources, to fund the remainder of their fees and any immigration costs;

• An annual tax-free stipend at the UKRI rate (£19,237 in 24/25 for full time students), and a contribution towards research and training costs;

• A personalised training programme, to develop research, communication, employability and personal skills;

• Support to carry out a required three-month placement, known as an Innovation Fellowship, with an academic or non-academic partner during the course of the studentship.

The successful candidate will be required to submit their PhD within the duration of the studentship award.

What to do next You can find out more about the Cambridge ESRC DTP at: https://www.esrcdtp.group.cam.ac.uk . You can find out more about the Department of Psychology at https://www.psychol.cam.ac.uk/; Theoretical and Applied Linguistics at https://www.mmll.cam.ac.uk/dtal and Cambridge University Press and Assessment at https://www.cambridge.org/. Please address any questions about this studentship to Dr Mirjana Bozic at mb383@cam.ac.uk, Prof Brechtje Post at bmbp2@cam.ac.uk, or Dr Elaine Scmidt at aeis2@cam.ac.uk.

Applications for this studentship should be made to the Department of Psychology. The course code is BLPC22 (PhD in Psychology). https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/application-process/how-do-i-apply

The closing date for applications will be 7 January 2025.

With your application you will be required to submit (i) a draft research proposal outlining your suitability, why you are interested in pursuing a PhD in this area, your background and research interests, familiarity with the questions raised by this research. (ii) your CV (iii) copies of your academic transcripts (iv) details of two academic referees.

Please quote reference PJ44221 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Scholarship award: £28,738.00

This Scholarship is available from 1 August 2025 (or as soon as possible thereafter) and is for one year in the first instance, renewable (subject to satisfactory progress) for periods of one year up to a total of three years.

The Scholarship provides an outstanding opportunity to study for a postgraduate qualification in clinical pathology (Diploma of the European/American College of Veterinary Clinical Pathology). The training programme is approved by the European College of Veterinary Clinical Pathology.

You will receive core training in all aspects of clinical pathology (laboratory management and quality control, haematology, biochemistry, cytology), will undertake a research project, and will participate in the small-group teaching of undergraduate veterinary students.

Applicants must:

• Be a member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons (MRCVS), or hold a veterinary degree qualifying you for membership.
• Have at least two years' experience in general practice or a minimum of twelve months' experience in a rotating internship.

Informal enquiries should be directed to Tim Williams (tlw27@cam.ac.uk) or Cassia Hare (chzh2@cam.ac.uk).

An application form (JCTS1) and information pack can be downloaded from the following website: http://www.vet.cam.ac.uk/job

Applicants should supply a completed SCTS Senior Clinical Training Scholarship Application Form (SCTS 1), a CV and Covering Letter giving reasons for wishing to undertake a SCTS in Clinical Pathology at the Department of Veterinary Medicine, University of Cambridge.

Applications should be submitted via e-mail to vetmed@vet.cam.ac.uk with the above documents as one attachment, by the closing date.

Closing date: 18 December 2024

Interview date: 20 January 2025 (successful candidates will receive an invite to interview the week commencing 06 January 2025).

Please note: The ability to take up this Scholarship is contingent upon you being able to evidence your right to work in the UK, or through gaining the right to work via the UK immigration system. Evidence will need to be provided before an offer can be made. Regrettably, this Scholarship is not suitable for sponsorship via the Skilled Worker or Temporary Worker visa routes as the minimum requirements cannot be met.

Please quote reference PP44057 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees and scholars are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Scholarship award: £18,670.00 per annum, inclusive of the accommodation package.

The Scholarship is available for 12 months to start from 12 March 2025 or as soon as possible after this date.

Applications are invited from veterinarians for this twelve month post-graduate training programme offering high-quality, post-graduate training in Veterinary Anaesthesia. The emphasis will be on gaining practical clinical experience in Veterinary Anaesthesia under the supervision of board-certified diplomates, and will further prepare the candidate to embark on a 3-year Residency Training Programme in veterinary anaesthesia.

Applicants must be a Member of the Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons, or hold a veterinary degree qualifying them for membership.

We would welcome anyone wishing to apply for this scholarship to arrange a visit to the hospital to meet the team and find out more. For informal enquiries about the scholarship programme please contact Alice Bird, Teaching Professor, Head of Anaesthesia, by email: arb59@cam.ac.uk

The closing date for applications is midnight on Sunday, 08 December 2024

Interviews will be held on the week commencing Monday, 16 December 2024.

An application form (JCTS1) and information pack can be downloaded from the following website: http://www.vet.cam.ac.uk/job

Please send a completed application form, curriculum vitae, and covering letter all three documents as one by email to vetmed@vet.cam.ac.uk

Please note: The ability to take up this Scholarship is contingent upon you being able to evidence your right to work in the UK, or through gaining the right to work via the UK immigration system. Evidence will need to be provided before an offer can be made. Regrettably, this Scholarship is not suitable for sponsorship via the Skilled Worker or Temporary Worker visa routes as the minimum requirements cannot be met.

Please quote reference PP43979 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

Applications are invited for a fully-funded 4-year PhD studentship based in the Department of Pathology at the University of Cambridge under the supervision of Dr Betty Chung (https://www.path.cam.ac.uk/directory/betty-chung) starting October 2025.

Biotic stresses often unfold rapidly, demanding swift responses from both host and pathogen to ensure survival. Upon their encounter, a sophisticated network of gene regulation is instantly activated in both organisms, spanning transcription, translation, and protein turnover. While transcriptional regulation offers versatility, translational control enables potent, efficient and rapid adjustment in protein abundance, which is crucial during the initial stages of infection for both host and pathogen. This project seeks to unravel the intricate translational regulatory mechanisms governing host-pathogen interactions, aiming to decode the molecular dynamics and triggers that influence virulence, pathogenicity, and innate immunity.

Please visit https://www.path.cam.ac.uk/graduate/fully-funded-studentships for a more detailed description of the project and application.

Applicants should hold (or expect to obtain) the equivalent of a UK 2.1 or higher in an undergraduate honours or Masters degree in a relevant subject. The studentship is open to those eligible for the Home rate of University fees.

Applications should include academic transcripts, CV, statement of purpose and 2 references. Please also explain your motivation why you wish to pursue a PhD in this area, outline your research interests and background, and describe the qualities and experience you will bring to the role.

Funding notes: Funding* will cover the student's stipend at the current Research Council rate and University Fees. The studentship will be funded for four years from October 2025. *The studentship is only available to students who qualify for UK Home fees

Please quote reference PK43848 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

A fully funded PhD scholarship is available in Adam Wilkinson's lab at the University of Cambridge Department of Haematology and Cambridge Stem Cell Institute (CSCI) to begin in October 2025.

Dr Wilkinson has won significant long term funding from the Wellcome Trust and Krishnan-Ang Foundation and is relocating his lab to CSCI from Oxford (https://www.rdm.ox.ac.uk/about/our-divisions/nuffield-division-of-clinical-laboratory-sciences/nuffield-division-of-clinical-laboratory-sciences-research/wilkinson-group). Dr Wilkinson's research focusses on expanding and manipulating haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) ex vivo. He has pioneered highly influential new methods to expand transplantable HSCs long-term ex vivo (Wilkinson et al, Nature, 2019; Igarashi et al, Blood Advances, 2023; Sakurai et al, Nature, 2023; Bozhilov et al, bioRxiv, 2024) which are now in use worldwide. These methods enable efficient CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing and genetic screens in functional HSCs (Wilkinson et al, Nature Communications, 2021; Becker et al, Cell Stem Cell, 2023; Haney et al, bioRxiv, 2022), which have exciting applications in cell/gene therapy and disease modelling.

Dr Wilkinson's funding allows him to offer an exciting project focussing on blood cancer initiation. The project will combine HSC expansion and gene editing technologies with functional and molecular assays to model and understand the consequences of blood cancer-associated genetic mutations on HSCs and leukaemogenesis. This disease model will be further used to screen for molecular vulnerabilities, with the aim of identifying novel therapeutic strategies to treat and prevent blood cancer.

The accepted student will receive:

• Tax free stipend for 3.5 years (£19,237 in the first year)
• Tuition fees with the possibility of international rate fee
• Visa costs
• Travel costs for one return journey to the UK
• £500 research emolument for personal research expenses
• Laboratory costs

The scholarship's funders, Tzo-Tze Ang and Eashwar Krishnan, have a long connection with Trinity College and the accepted student will be enrolled as a member of the College.

Applicants should have a strong interest in haematological malignancies or stem cell research. Applicants should have or shortly expect to obtain a minimum of a good upper second-class Honours degree from a UK university, or a degree of an equivalent standard from an overseas university, in a relevant discipline. A Master's degree is not a requirement. Experience of relevant research is highly desirable. Full details of the University's minimum requirements for postgraduate study are available here: https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/application-process/entry-requirements

Applications should be made here:

https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/directory/blscpdscp

• Applicants should select a course start date of October 2025
• Under College Membership, they should select Trinity College
• Under Research, for 'Summary of proposed research project', they should summarise the project described above in their own words and explain their interest in it.
• Under Funding Application, applicants should select that they wish to apply under College funding for the Krishnan-Ang Scholarship in Cancer Research. Applicants requiring support for International rate tuition fees should also select Cambridge Trust funding.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Informal enquiries should be made to Adam Wilkinson at acw63@cam.ac.uk. Queries on the application process can be sent to Jo Jack, Postgraduate Administrator, at phd@stemcells.cam.ac.uk.

Fixed term: 3.5 years

The deadline for applications for the first round is 20th November 2024.

Interviews are expected to be held between 12th and 20th December 2024.

Please quote reference RB43799 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Applications are invited for 4-year PhD studentship based in the Department of Medicine and the new AstraZeneca Discovery Centre (DISC) at Cambridge. The student will be working on a collaborative project jointly supervised by Prof Ravi Gupta and Dr. Daniele Corridoni at AstraZeneca offering the unique opportunity to work across the two sites, aiming to train independent, innovative scientists capable of pursuing translational research.

The project, entitled Macrophage-induced cytokines and cell cycle state in cancer and inflammatory diseases. is in the field of macrophages and their role in cancers and inflammatory diseases such as IBD that has generated much excitement in both academia and industry.

Project abstract: Macrophages have diverse phenotypes and functions depending partly on the microenvironment they reside in and play important roles in a range of conditions such as inflammatory arthritis, wound healing, cancer and infectious diseases. The biology behind heterogeneity in macrophage phenotypes is incompletely understood and the therapeutic potential of new insights into macrophage biology is enormous. We have built a body of work on the impact of cell cycle transitions on macrophage biology and identified that low oxygen conditions drive macrophages from G0 to G1 via a HIF2 directed transcriptional program with activation of the MEK/ERK proliferation pathway. We find secretion of IL1b, a pro-metastasis and pro-tumour molecule, is upregulated. This is pertinent given tumour associated macrophages are in a hypoxic environment. These observations are consistent with our data showing 'quiescent' G0 macrophages residing are highly sensitive to TLR4 activation compared to those in G1. A recent paper linked blockade of macrophage inflammation mediated by ETS2 in inflammatory bowel disease using a cell cycle inhibitor (Nature 2024), though the mechanism remains unexplained. We will deploy a range of techniques to address the link between cell cycle regulation, tumourigenesis and inflammation. Our data could potentially be leveraged to modulate innate immune responses in diseases through drugs that modulate the cell cycle.

Full details of the University's entrance requirements and scholarships are specified on the following link: https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/.

Please ensure that you outline how you match the criteria for the post and why you are applying for this role on the online application form.

Please include details of your referees, including email address and phone number, one of which must be your most recent line manager.

Applications should be made via the University Application portal. When asked to select a course, please apply for the PhD in Medicine. You should then put * Interaction between innate immune activation and cell cycle status in macrophages: implications for inflammatory diseases * as your proposed project title.

You are not required to write your own research proposal. When asked for a research proposal in the applicant portal, instead please upload one side of A4 with your motivation for applying for the studentship, highlighting your skills, what you hope to achieve if appointed, and long-term career aspirations.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

Applications are invited for a fully-funded 4-year PhD studentship based in the Department of Pathology at the University of Cambridge under the supervision of Dr Michael Boemo starting October 2025.

Malaria parasites replicate their genomes very differently to human cells, making genome replication an attractive therapeutic target for antimalarial drugs. The purpose of this research is to develop artificial intelligence software that leverages the power of long-read DNA sequencing to determine the genomic loci of DNA damage caused by these drugs and how this damage changes the movement of replication forks throughout the genome.

The student will have the opportunity to learn, or improve upon, the development of artificial intelligence for translational research in a supportive and collaborative environment.

More information about the Boemo Group is available at https://www.boemogroup.org and https://www.path.cam.ac.uk/graduate/fully-funded-studentships.

Funding* will cover the student's stipend at the current Research Council rate and University Fees. The studentship will be funded for four years from October 2025. *The studentships are available to students who qualify for UK Home fees.

Applicants should hold (or expect to obtain) the equivalent of a UK 2.1 or higher in an undergraduate honours or Masters degree in a relevant subject. The studentship is open to those eligible for the Home rate of University fees.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 4 years in the first instance.

Applications are welcome from internal candidates who would like to apply for the role on the basis of a secondment from their current role in the University.

All applications should be made online via the University's Applicant Portal for a PhD in Pathology (BLPA22). Applications should include academic transcripts, CV, statement of purpose and 2 references. An application is only complete when all supporting documents, including the 2 academic references, are submitted. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure their referees submit their references before the closing date. Please also explain your motivation why you wish to pursue a PhD in this area, outline your research interests and background, and describe the qualities and experience you will bring to the role.

Please quote reference PK43591 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Applications are invited for a fully-funded 4-year PhD studentship based in the Department of Pathology at the University of Cambridge under the supervision of Dr Heather Machado starting October 2025.

Our body's immune system is one of the most powerful tools in the fight against cancer. An improved understanding of how the adaptive immune system evolves in the context of cancer, including the effects of chronic inflammation and the phenotypic changes from premalignancy to cancer progression, could lead to improved cancer outcomes. However, these immune dynamics are difficult to study directly in humans due to longitudinal sampling constraints. To overcome these obstacles, this project will apply state-of-the-art lineage tracing techniques and single-cell multiomics to track CD8+ T cell dynamics in an inflammatory premalignancy and the resulting liver cancer.

For more information please see https://www.path.cam.ac.uk/graduate/fully-funded-studentships.

Funding* will cover the student's stipend at the current Research Council rate and University Fees. The studentship will be funded for four years from October 2025. *The studentships are available to students who qualify for UK Home fees. Applicants should hold (or expect to obtain) the equivalent of a UK 2.1 or higher in an undergraduate honours or Masters degree in a relevant subject. The studentship is open to those eligible for the Home rate of University fees. Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 4 years in the first instance.

Applications are welcome from internal candidates who would like to apply for the role on the basis of a secondment from their current role in the University.

All applications should be made online via the University's Applicant Portal for a PhD in Pathology (BLPA22). Applications should include academic transcripts, CV, statement of purpose and 2 references. An application is only complete when all supporting documents, including the 2 academic references, are submitted. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure their referees submit their references before the closing date. Please also explain your motivation why you wish to pursue a PhD in this area, outline your research interests and background, and describe the qualities and experience you will bring to the role.

Please quote reference PK43590 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Applications are invited for a fully-funded 4-year PhD studentship based in the Department of Pathology at the University of Cambridge under the supervision of Dr Andrew Blagborough starting October 2025.

Malaria, caused by Plasmodium parasites and transmitted by female Anopheles mosquitoes, remains a devastating infectious disease. Within the mosquito, the malaria parasite undergoes a complex and delicate lifecycle that can be successfully targeted using transmission blocking vaccines (TBVs). The most promising lifecycle stages to target with TBVs is the parasitic ookinete, a motile zygote that is essential for transmission. However, our knowledge of the surface proteins that can initiate an immunological response on the ookinete surface is limited. Using novel genetically altered parasites, this project aims to identify novel TBV targets on the surface of the ookinete, building a molecular map of the poorly understood parasite surface and facilitating the development of novel anti-malarial TBVs.

For more information please see https://www.path.cam.ac.uk/graduate/fully-funded-studentships.

Funding* will cover the student's stipend at the current Research Council rate and University Fees. The studentship will be funded for four years from October 2025. *The studentships are available to students who qualify for UK Home fees. Applicants should hold (or expect to obtain) the equivalent of a UK 2.1 or higher in an undergraduate honours or Masters degree in a relevant subject. The studentship is open to those eligible for the Home rate of University fees.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 4 years in the first instance.

Applications are welcome from internal candidates who would like to apply for the role on the basis of a secondment from their current role in the University.

All applications should be made online via the University's Applicant Portal for a PhD in Pathology (BLPA22). Applications should include academic transcripts, CV, statement of purpose and 2 references. An application is only complete when all supporting documents, including the 2 academic references, are submitted. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure their referees submit their references before the closing date. Please also explain your motivation why you wish to pursue a PhD in this area, outline your research interests and background, and describe the qualities and experience you will bring to the role.

Please quote reference PK43588 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Applications are invited for a fully-funded 4-year PhD studentship based in the Department of Pathology at the University of Cambridge under the supervision of Dr Nerea Irigoyen starting October 2025.

Long non-coding RNAs (lncRNAs) account for approximately 30% of human genes, and 40% are specifically expressed in the brain. Recent ribosome profiling analysis have shown that many cytoplasmic lncRNAs contain unannotated small open reading frames that can be translated into functional (micro)proteins involved in neurodevelopment.

Zika virus can be vertically transmitted to the foetus during pregnancy, leading to impaired brain development. These neuropathological mechanisms, a combination of viral genetics and host responses, still need to be fully understood. In this project, we will characterise how the differential expression of lncRNAs during infection will play a role in neuropathogenesis.

For more information please see https://www.path.cam.ac.uk/graduate/fully-funded-studentships.

Funding* will cover the student's stipend at the current Research Council rate and University Fees. The studentship will be funded for four years from October 2025. *The studentships are available to students who qualify for UK Home fees.

Applicants should hold (or expect to obtain) the equivalent of a UK 2.1 or higher in an undergraduate honours or Masters degree in a relevant subject. The studentship is open to those eligible for the Home rate of University fees.

Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 4 years in the first instance.

Applications are welcome from internal candidates who would like to apply for the role on the basis of a secondment from their current role in the University.

All applications should be made online via the University's Applicant Portal for a PhD in Pathology (BLPA22). Applications should include academic transcripts, CV, statement of purpose and 2 references. An application is only complete when all supporting documents, including the 2 academic references, are submitted. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure their referees submit their references before the closing date. Please also explain your motivation why you wish to pursue a PhD in this area, outline your research interests and background, and describe the qualities and experience you will bring to the role.

Please quote reference PK43589 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Applications are invited for a 4-year PhD studentship based in the Department Pharmacology /Cambridge Stem Cell Institute (CSCI), University of Cambridge and the new AstraZeneca Discovery Centre at Cambridge. The student will be working on a collaborative project jointly supervised by Prof Walid Khaled in Pharmacology/CSCI, Dr Mark Albertella and Dr Andrew Reynold at AstraZeneca.

The project, entitled "Therapeutic cancer prevention of hereditary cancers"' aims to test various therapeutic options to prevent the development of breast cancer in high-risk individuals. More details can be found in the attachments.

Candidate We are looking for a highly motivated and enthusiastic individual capable of thinking and working independently. This position offers the unique opportunity to engage with a multidisciplinary team, including computational biologists and experimentalist from University of Cambridge and AstraZeneca. Prior experience with mouse model and/or single cell genomics is welcome.

Applicants should have, or shortly expect to obtain, a first or upper second-class degree from a UK university, or an equivalent standard from an overseas university, in a relevant subject such as cell or developmental biology, or biochemistry. These positions are open to UK citizens or overseas students who meet the UK residency requirements (home fees) or can augment the funds to cover the extra costs associated with international student fees through scholarships or funding schemes. Students will not be allowed to supplement fees via self-funding. Full details of the University's entrance requirements and scholarships are specified on the following link: https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/.

Funding Full funding covering Maintenance fees at £21,500 per annum and the University Composition Fee is provided for the studentship, with effect from 1 October 2025.

Application Process To apply please click 'Apply Now' selecting the following course: - PhD in Pharmacology (Full-time) - Start Date: 1st October 2025 - Project Supervisor: Walid T. Khaled - Project Title: AZ funded non-clinical PhD Studentship (Fixed Term) in "Therapeutic cancer prevention of hereditary cancers" - Research Proposal: Please add the project abstract listed above

Applications should include: - Two academic references - Transcript - CV/resume - Evidence of competence in English (If required - you can check using our tool) - Statement of Interest outlining your suitability, why you are interested in a PhD in this area, your background and research interests. - School of Biological Sciences - Widening Participation Questionnaire (applicants are asked to complete an additional form to provide contextual information about their previous study. Find out more about our use of contextual information here: https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/applying/contextual-data.

Completed applications (with ALL supporting documentation and references) to be submitted via the portal by 23:59pm (midnight) UK time on Mon 11th November 2024 at the latest. Interviews will be scheduled for the end of November and early December.

For queries related to the PhD studentship, please contact Prof Walid T. Khaled: wtk22@cam.ac.uk. Queries related to admission should be sent to postgrad@phar.cam.ac.uk.

Please quote reference PL43500 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society. We place major emphasis on the importance of teamwork and an enjoyable work environment as a foundation for performing internationally leading research. This will allow the student to acquire cutting edge research methodologies in a supportive environment, where they can focus on making the best possible scientific progress.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Applications are invited for 4-year PhD studentship based in the Department of Pharmacology, University of Cambridge and the new AstraZeneca Discovery Centre at Cambridge conducting research into how the microbiome contributes to chronic pain. The project will be jointly supervised by Dr David Bulmer (Cambridge) and Dr Fraser Welsh (AstraZeneca) and will provide the student with an opportunity to work across both sites, in addition to the broader multidisciplinary team of clinicians and academics investigating the microbiome and pain at the University and Medical School.

We have recently identified a pathogenic microbial signature which markedly deviates from household controls in people with chronic abdominal pain that can be corrected by dietary intervention. Metagenomic and metabolomic analysis supports a causative role for bacterial metabolites, which we will seek to evaluate in this studentship using functional assays of pain signalling, neuroepithelial and immune cell function, in conventional, and germ-free animals to recapitulate the dysbiotic microbial phenotype.

This PhD builds on a body of translational work from the Bulmer lab (Bautzova et al (2018) Sci Signal. 11(561); Higham et al (2024) Pain 165 (7): 1592-1604) and will utilise ex-vivo electrophysiological studies and Ca2+ imaging from mouse and human nociceptors.

Applicants must have or expect to obtain at least an upper 2nd class honours science degree (or equivalent), be highly motivated, capable of developing their own ideas, and keen to interact effectively with other lab members.

This position is open to UK citizens or overseas students who meet the UK residency requirements (home fees) or are able to augment the funds to cover the extra costs associated with international student fees through scholarships or funding schemes. Students will not be allowed to supplement fees via self funding.

The studentship comes with a stipend of £21,500 per annum and covers the University Composition Fee at the home student rate with effect from 1 October 2025.

How to apply:

All applications will need to be made through the University Application Portal: https://www.graduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/directory/blphpdphc/apply

Please note that the course code for PhD applications to Pharmacology is BLPH22. Whilst making your online application please make clear that you are applying for; proposed supervisor Dr David Bulmer and title "How does the microbiota contribute to chronic pain?"

Your online application will need to include: -Two academic references - Transcript - CV/resume - Evidence of competence in English If required - you can check using our tool - Statement of interest (no more than 300 words)

Please note that your application will not be considered complete and reviewed by the hiring supervisor until references have been completed.

Applications without the proposed supervisor section complete will not be considered.

The deadline for submission is 4th November 2024, with interviews likely to take place from the 11th November.

Informal enquires about the research project can be sent to Dr David Bulmer (dcb53@cam.ac.uk).

Informal enquires about application process can be sent to postgrad@phar.cam.ac.uk .

Please quote reference PL43468 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Cancer Research UK (CRUK) Cambridge Centre (https://crukcambridgecentre.org.uk/content/mres-phd-programme-cancer-biology) has a fully-funded innovative MRes + PhD programme, designed to give postgraduate students a broad understanding of both the basic biology and the clinical management of the whole spectrum of cancer. This course also allows students to develop their own skills in experimental science as well as in project design and management.

The CRUK Cambridge Centre is a dynamic collaboration of academic researchers, clinicians, and the pharmaceutical and biotech industries based in the Cambridge area. By being part of the Centre, students will have the opportunity to attend a number of lecture series, workshops and meetings aimed at facilitating and strengthening collaborations between complimentary disciplines and across different departments and institutes.

This extensive research effort is supported by a state-of-the-art research environment that includes:

• World-class research facilities for basic and clinical research.
• Nationally and internationally recognised centres of excellence - Cambridge is a hub for Early Cancer Detection and Precision Cancer Medicine.
• Outstanding opportunities for translational research - the wealth of basic research across the Centre fuels major efforts to translate fundamental scientific discoveries to benefit patients with cancer.

The first year MRes degree comprises two research rotations, a weekly 'Lectures in Cancer Biology & Medicine' series, together with a week of intensive teaching in genomic medicine, and a one- to two-week placement in a patient-facing setting. This placement will enable insight into the rewards and challenges of cancer research and development of diagnostics and treatments. Project write-ups, oral presentations and development of a PhD proposal are also integral to the programme. Successful completion of the one-year MRes programme will lead on to a fully-funded three-year PhD, usually in one of the rotation project host laboratories, which will allow in-depth study of a particular area of cancer biology.

CRUK Cambridge Centre MRes + PhD studentships (https://crukcambridgecentre.org.uk/studentships) are available for non-clinical applicants, to commence in October 2025.

Funding: The CRUK Cambridge Centre MRes + PhD studentships (https://crukcambridgecentre.org.uk/studentships include full funding from Cancer Research UK to cover the University Composition Fee (at home-fee rate), a travel and consumables budget, and a stipend, which is currently £21,000 per annum. Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 4 years.

Please apply through the University of Cambridge Postgraduate Portal (https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/directory/cvocpdcan)

If you upload any additional documents that have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application.

The closing date for receipt of applications is 19 November 2024.

Short-listed applicants will be invited to interview week commencing 6 January 2025. You will be interviewed by a panel of Principal Investigators from the CRUK Cambridge Centre.

Informal enquiries can be sent to training@cancer.cam.ac.uk

Please quote reference RD43459 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Cancer Research UK (CRUK) (https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/) programme "Black leaders in Cancer PhD scholarship" (https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/funding-for-researchers/our-funding-schemes/black-leaders-in-cancer-phd-scholarship-programme) provide students from Black heritage backgrounds a possibility of pursuing a PhD in cancer-related fields.

This programme has been developed in consultation with the research community and in close collaboration with CRUK's expert partners, Black in Cancer (https://www.blackincancer.com/) and the Windsor Fellowship (https://www.windsor-fellowship.org/programmes/black-leaders-in-cancer-phd-scholarship-programme/).

The scheme is open to applicants who self-identify as being from a Black heritage background, including a mixed background, for example: Black African, Black Caribbean, Black Other, Mixed background (to include Black African, Black Caribbean or other Black backgrounds).

A student on this scheme will receive comprehensive programme of mentoring, career support, leadership training and networking led by the Windsor Fellowship and Black in Cancer, in addition to the support provided by the CRUK Centres.

Two students will be recruited to the CRUK Cambridge Centre (https://crukcambridgecentre.org.uk/content/black-leaders-cancer-phd-scholarship-programme) to be part of the existing fully funded MRes+PhD programme.

The CRUK Cambridge Centre is a dynamic collaboration of academic researchers, clinicians, and the pharmaceutical and biotech industries based in the Cambridge area. By being part of the Centre, students will have the opportunity to attend a number of lecture series, workshops and meetings aimed at facilitating and strengthening collaborations between complimentary disciplines and across different departments and institutes.

The first year MRes degree comprises two research rotations, a weekly 'Lectures in Cancer Biology & Medicine' series, together with a week of intensive teaching in genomic medicine, and a one- to two-week placement in a patient-facing setting. This placement will enable insight into the rewards and challenges of cancer research and development of diagnostics and treatments. Project write-ups, oral presentations and development of a PhD proposal are also integral to the programme. Successful completion of the one-year MRes programme will lead on to a fully-funded three-year PhD, usually in one of the rotation project host laboratories, which will allow in-depth study of a particular area of cancer biology.

Funding: The CRUK Cambridge Centre MRes + PhD studentships include full funding from CRUK to cover the University Composition Fee (at home-fee rate), a travel and consumables budget, and a stipend, which is currently £21,000 per annum. Fixed-term: The funds for this post are available for 4 years.

Please apply

• Express your interest to Windsor Fellowship (https://windsorfellowship.wufoo.com/forms/cruk-black-leaders-in-cancer-2025-application-form/).
• Apply through the University of Cambridge Postgraduate Portal (https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/directory/cvocpdcan).

Please state in your application that you are applying to this scheme.

Research project offered for intake October 2025 and more information is available here - https://crukcambridgecentre.org.uk/studentships.

The closing date for receipt of applications is 19 November 2024.

Short-listed applicants will be invited to interview week commencing 6 January 2025. You will be interviewed by a panel of Principal Investigators from the CRUK Cambridge Centre.

Informal enquiries can be sent to training@cancer.cam.ac.uk

Please quote reference RD43455 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Supervisors: Professor Greg Hannon, Dr Richard Mair and Dr Dario Bressan

Deadline for application: 4th November 2024

Course start date: 1st October 2025

Overview

Prof Greg Hannon, Dr Richard Mair and Dr Dario Bressan wish to recruit a student to work on the project entitled: "Investigating the low-to-high grade glioma transition using spatial multi-omics".

For further information about the research group, including their most recent publications, please visit our website at https://www.cruk.cam.ac.uk/research-groups/imaxt-laboratory/

This is a unique opportunity for PhD study in the world-leading Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute (CRUK CI), to start a research career in an environment committed to training outstanding cancer research scientists of the future.

The Institute's particular strengths are in genomics, computational biology and imaging; and significant research effort is currently devoted to cancers arising in the breast, pancreas, brain, and colon. Our Core Facilities provide researchers with access to state-of-the-art equipment, in-house expertise and training. Scientists at CRUK CI aim to understand the fundamental biology of cancer and translate these findings into the clinic to benefit patients.

There are around 100 postgraduate students at the Cambridge Institute, who play a vital and pivotal role in its continuing success. We are committed to providing an inclusive and supportive working environment that fosters intellectual curiosity and scientific excellence.

If you are interested in finding out more about our groundbreaking scientific research, please visit our website at https://www.cruk.cam.ac.uk/

Project details

This project will be hosted in the Spatial Profiling and Annotation Centre of Excellence (SPACE), an interdisciplinary laboratory dedicated to developing and applying spatial molecular profiling technologies established by the group of Prof. Hannon after a successful Cancer Grand Challenge project. The laboratory routinely uses a variety of spatial omics technologies including spatial transcriptomics, multiplexed immunohistochemistry, single-cell genomics, 3D whole-organ microscopy and more, and actively develops new technologies for spatial epigenomics and multi-omics. The Mair laboratory is focussed on understanding low to high grade transformation in glioma, specifically concentrating on how metabolic changes (via mass spectrometry imaging) can affect cancer cell and microenvironmental phenotypes at the level of the proteome and the modified proteome e.g. phosphoproteome. The extensive ICARUS brain cancer biobank posseses uniquely annotated multi region primary human tumour samples that will provide the basis for this study.

The student selected for this project will use some of these technologies (Serial Two-Photon Microscopy or STPT, Imaging Mass Cytometry, spatial transcriptomics, Mass Spectrometry Imaging) on Low and High-grade glioma samples in order to assess the molecular determinants of the low-to-high grade transition and to identify potential prognostic and diagnostic markers, as well as therapy targets, for this disease.

References/further reading

• Georgopoulou, D. et al. Landscapes of cellular phenotypic diversity in breast cancer xenografts and their impact on drug response. Nature Communications 12, 1998 (2021).
• The dawn of spatial omics ' Science. https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abq4964.
• González-Solares, E. A. et al. Imaging and Molecular Annotation of Xenographs and Tumours (IMAXT): High throughput data and analysis infrastructure. Biological Imaging 3, e11 (2023).
• Low, J. C. M. et al. Deuterium Metabolic Imaging Differentiates Glioblastoma Metabolic Subtypes and Detects Early Response to Chemoradiotherapy. Cancer Res 84, 1996¿2008 (2024).
• Mair, R. et al. Metabolic Imaging Detects Low Levels of Glycolytic Activity That Vary with Levels of c-Myc Expression in Patient-Derived Xenograft Models of Glioblastoma. Cancer Res 78, 5408¿5418 (2018).

Preferred skills/knowledge

We are looking for a student with a bright and curious mind, the willingness to work hard in a highly collaborative environment, and excellent communications skills, paired with a keen interest in cancer biology and in the application of new technologies.

Previous experience and theoretical knowledge of cancer biology, biochemistry, cell biology and imaging/microscopy will be appreciated, but are not an absolute requirement.

Funding

This four-year studentship is funded by Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute and includes full funding for University fees and, in addition, a stipend currently of £21,000 per annum for four years.

Eligibility

We welcome applications from both UK and overseas students.

Applications are invited from recent graduates or final-year undergraduates who hold or expect to gain a First/Upper Second Class degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject from any recognised university worldwide.

Applicants with relevant research experience, gained through Master's study or while working in a laboratory, are strongly encouraged to apply.

How to apply

Please apply via the University Applicant Portal. For further information about the course and to access the Applicant Portal, visit:
https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/directory/cvcrpdmsc You should select to commence study in Michaelmas Term 2025 (October 2025).

Additional information

To complete your online application, you will need to answer/provide the following:

- Choice of project and supervisor

Please ensure that you name the project (with reference code) and supervisor, where indicated. You are permitted to apply for up to three projects.

- Course-specific questions

• You will be asked to give details of your Research Experience (up to 2,500 characters).
• Your Statement of Interest (up to 2,500 characters) should explain why you wish to be considered for the studentship and what qualities and experience you will bring to the role.

- Supporting documents

Applicants will be asked to provide:

• Academic transcripts.
• Evidence of competence in English (if appropriate).
• Details of two academic referees.
• CV/resume.

Deadline

The closing date for applications is 4th November 2024 with interviews expected to take place in January 2025.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Supervisor(s): Professor James Brenton

Deadline for application: 31st October 2024

Course start date: 1st October 2025

Overview

Professor James Brenton wishes to recruit a student to work on the project entitled: "Modelling new therapeutic approaches for neoadjuvant treatment of high grade serous ovarian carcinoma".

For further information about the research group, including their most recent publications, please visit our website at: https://www.cruk.cam.ac.uk/research-groups/brenton-group/

This is a unique opportunity for PhD study in the world-leading Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute (CRUK CI), to start a research career in an environment committed to training outstanding cancer research scientists of the future.

The Institute's particular strengths are in genomics, computational biology and imaging; and significant research effort is currently devoted to cancers arising in the breast, pancreas, brain, and colon. Our Core Facilities provide researchers with access to state-of-the-art equipment, in-house expertise and training. Scientists at CRUK CI aim to understand the fundamental biology of cancer and translate these findings into the clinic to benefit patients.

There are around 100 postgraduate students at the Cambridge Institute, who play a vital and pivotal role in its continuing success. We are committed to providing an inclusive and supportive working environment that fosters intellectual curiosity and scientific excellence.

If you are interested in finding out more about our groundbreaking scientific research, please visit our website at https://www.cruk.cam.ac.uk/

Project details

High-grade serous ovarian carcinoma (HGSC) is molecularly characterised by extreme chromosomal instability which presents a major barrier to personalized therapy. Most patients with HGSC in the UK receive neoadjuvant chemotherapy but this has particularly poor outcome because of: (1) suboptimal therapeutic effects and (2) rapid acquisition of drug resistance. The major need is to develop new clinical trials with agents that minimize these deleterious effects. We are using integrative approaches to address these problems using genomic and functional characterization of clinical trial samples together with patient-derived organoid and xenograft (PDX) models. We have developed whole genome sequencing (WGS) methods that provide copy number signatures that classify HGSC based on mutational processes. With these methods we have generated large WGS data sets that are being used to design clinically relevant immunocompetent mouse models using in vivo CRISPR recombination.

The aim of the project is to develop new therapeutic approaches for neoadjuvant therapy of BRCA1 mutated HGSC. These patients have adverse outcomes despite initial response to platinum-based chemotherapy and PARP maintenance treatment. The project will focus on modifiers of chemotherapy induced senescence and combination therapy with new drugs targeting DNA damage response. The experimental approach will combine cell fate analysis using in vitro and in vivo lineage tracing using existing PDX and CRISPR engineered models that can evaluate coincident immunological responses. Pharmacodynamic effects on the DNA damage response pathways will be measured using single cell technologies, including CyTOF and imaging mass cytometry of pre-clinical models and patient samples. From this work we expect to deeply characterize tumour cell clonal evolution and adaptations to these treatment combinations which will guide the design of new clinical trials for HGSC.

The successful candidate can expect to develop innovative skills in both computational and experimental approaches. The project will be closely aligned with two post-doctoral workers focusing on mouse models and one computational post-doctoral worker with extensive WGS experience.

References/further reading (optional)

• Vias M, Morrill Gavarró L, Sauer CM, Sanders DA, Piskorz AM, Couturier D-L, Ballereau S, Hernando B, Schneider MP, Hall J, Correia-Martins F, Markowetz F, Macintyre G, Brenton JD. 2023. High-grade serous ovarian carcinoma organoids as models of chromosomal instability. Elife 12:e83867. doi:10.7554/eLife.83867.
• Crispin-Ortuzar M, Woitek R, Reinius MAV, Moore E, Beer L, Bura V, Rundo L, McCague C, Ursprung S, Escudero Sanchez L, Martin-Gonzalez P, Mouliere F, Chandrananda D, Morris J, Goranova T, Piskorz AM, Singh N, Sahdev A, Pintican R, Zerunian M, Rosenfeld N, Addley H, Jimenez-Linan M, Markowetz F, Sala E, Brenton JD. 2023. Integrated radiogenomics models predict response to neoadjuvant chemotherapy in high grade serous ovarian cancer. Nat Commun 14:6756. doi:10.1038/s41467-023-41820-7.
• Sauer CM, Hall JA, Couturier D-L, Bradley T, Piskorz AM, Griffiths J, Sawle A, Eldridge MD, Smith P, Hosking K, Reinius MAV, Morrill Gavarró L, Mes-Masson A-M, Ennis D, Millan D, Hoyle A, McNeish IA, Jimenez-Linan M, Martins FC, Tischer J, Vias M, Brenton JD. 2023. Molecular landscape and functional characterization of centrosome amplification in ovarian cancer. Nat Commun 14:6505. doi:10.1038/s41467-023-41840-3.
• Sauer CM, Heider K, Belic J, Boyle SE, Hall JA, Couturier D-L, An A, Vijayaraghavan A, Reinius MA, Hosking K, Vias M, Rosenfeld N, Brenton JD. 2022. Longitudinal monitoring of disease burden and response using ctDNA from dried blood spots in xenograft models. EMBO Mol Med 14:e15729. doi:10.15252/emmm.202215729.
• Smith P, Bradley T, Gavarró LM, Goranova T, Ennis DP, Mirza HB, De Silva D, Piskorz AM, Sauer C, Al-Khalidi S, Funingana I-G, Reinius MAV, Giannone G, Lewsley L-A, Stobo J, McQueen J, Bryson G, Eldridge M, BriTROC Investigators, Macintyre G, Markowetz F, Brenton JD, McNeish IA. 2023. The copy number and mutational landscape of recurrent ovarian high-grade serous carcinoma. Nat Commun 14:4387. doi:10.1038/s41467-023-39867-7.
• Macintyre G, Goranova TE, De Silva D, Ennis D, Piskorz AM, Eldridge M, Sie D, Lewsley L-A, Hanif A, Wilson C, Dowson S, Glasspool RM, Lockley M, Brockbank E, Montes A, Walther A, Sundar S, Edmondson R, Hall GD, Clamp A, Gourley C, Hall M, Fotopoulou C, Gabra H, Paul J, Supernat A, Millan D, Hoyle A, Bryson G, Nourse C, Mincarelli L, Sanchez LN, Ylstra B, Jimenez-Linan M, Moore L, Hofmann O, Markowetz F, McNeish IA, Brenton JD. 2018. Copy number signatures and mutational processes in ovarian carcinoma. Nat Genet 50:1262-1270. doi:10.1038/s41588-018-0179-8.

Preferred skills/knowledge

- Required: Clear potential for development of strong laboratory and computational skills. Strong critical thinking, organization, team player and emotional intelligence skills are required. Demonstrable evidence showing self-starting and self-motivational skills.

- Advantageous: Previous experience of projects involving ovarian carcinoma or pre-clinical mouse models.

Funding

This four-year studentship is funded by Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute and includes full funding for University fees and, in addition, a stipend currently of £21,000 per annum for four years.

Eligibility

We welcome applications from both UK and overseas students.

Applications are invited from recent graduates or final-year undergraduates who hold or expect to gain a First/Upper Second Class degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject from any recognised university worldwide.

Applicants with relevant research experience, gained through Master's study or while working in a laboratory, are strongly encouraged to apply.

How to apply

Please apply via the University Applicant Portal. For further information about the course and to access the Applicant Portal, visit:
https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/directory/cvcrpdmsc You should select to commence study in Michaelmas Term 2025 (October 2025).

Additional information

To complete your online application, you will need to answer/provide the following:

- Choice of project and supervisor

Please ensure that you name the project (with reference code) and supervisor, where indicated. You are permitted to apply for up to three projects.

Course-specific questions

• You will be asked to give details of your Research Experience (up to 2,500 characters).
• Your Statement of Interest (up to 2,500 characters) should explain why you wish to be considered for the studentship and what qualities and experience you will bring to the role.

Supporting documents

Applicants will be asked to provide:

• Academic transcripts.
• Evidence of competence in English (if appropriate).
• Details of two academic referees.
• CV/resume.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

The Universities of Cambridge and East Anglia, together with the Wellcome Sanger Institute, invite applications for up to 7 fellowships in the PhD Programme for Health Professionals, to be taken up by the end of 2025. The fellowships provide funding for clinical salary, University Composition Fees and research consumables for 3 years. Prior to commencement, the Programme can provide up to three months of additional salary support, enabling successful applicants to experience research in different groups, before making an informed choice of project and supervisor.

Fellowships based in campuses in Cambridge or Norwich offer diverse research training opportunities with world-leading researchers in The Schools of Clinical Medicine and Biological Sciences at the Universities of Cambridge, Wellcome Sanger Institute and other MRC, Wellcome & Cancer Research UK funded institutes, Centres & Units in the wider Cambridge area, as well as the School of Health Sciences and Norwich Medical School at the University of East Anglia with other partners on the Norwich Research Park.

Applicants must be qualified in clinical, dental or veterinary medicine or be a non-medical health professional, and be registered with a national professional regulatory body in the UK. Medical and dental applicants must be eligible for/already have GMC/GDC registration and be in a training grade (i.e., not a Consultant, University Faculty or equivalent position) in the UK or RoI. Veterinary applicants can have achieved board certification following completion of clinical residency but should not hold an academic position within the University. Nonmedical healthcare professionals may be at different stages in their clinical careers but should possess relevant research experience to be able to take advantage of this opportunity. They also would not be expected to be University Faculty or equivalent position.

The most important criteria we are looking for are academic excellence and the potential to pursue a successful academic career.

Further details are available from https://www.medschl.cam.ac.uk/study/phd-programme-health-professionals, or by contacting the Programme Administrator (phdhealthprofessionals@medschl.cam.ac.uk) or Professor Vass Vassiliou (https://research-portal.uea.ac.uk/en/persons/vassilios-vassiliou) for the University of East Anglia.

Applications must be made via the University of Cambridge Postgraduate Admissions on-line portal (https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/directory/cvcbpdwtc)

Closing date for applications: Tuesday 5th November 2024 Interviews to be held in early January 2025 - dates to be confirmed

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Supervisor: Dr Raza Ali

Deadline for application: 31st October 2024

Course start date: 1st October 2025

Overview

Dr Raza Ali wishes to recruit a student to work on the project entitled: "Multi-modal spatial data integration to predict breast cancer treatment response".

For further information about the research group, including their most recent publications, please visit our website at https://www.cruk.cam.ac.uk/research-groups/ali-group/

This is a unique opportunity for PhD study in the world-leading Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute (CRUK CI), to start a research career in an environment committed to training outstanding cancer research scientists of the future.

The Institute's particular strengths are in genomics, computational biology and imaging; and significant research effort is currently devoted to cancers arising in the breast, pancreas, brain, and colon. Our Core Facilities provide researchers with access to state-of-the-art equipment, in-house expertise and training. Scientists at CRUK CI aim to understand the fundamental biology of cancer and translate these findings into the clinic to benefit patients.

There are around 100 postgraduate students at the Cambridge Institute, who play a vital and pivotal role in its continuing success. We are committed to providing an inclusive and supportive working environment that fosters intellectual curiosity and scientific excellence.

If you are interested in finding out more about our groundbreaking scientific research, please visit our website at https://www.cruk.cam.ac.uk/

Project details

Breast cancer patients show highly variable responses to different treatments. Some respond durably, while others start by responding but eventually relapse and a subset show little evidence of response at all. The biological basis of these differences remains obscure but the spatial architecture of tumours is likely a major contributor. Novel technologies for multiplexed molecular measurements of tumour tissues that preserve spatial relationships offer the opportunity to precisely dissect the contribution of the spatially resolved multicellular tumour ecosystem as a response driver. To take full advantage of multiplexed spatial measurements, however, we must devise efficient computational tools to parse and integrate these data across assays.

We are collating a large and unique collection of multi-modal spatial data from hundreds of breast cancer patients enrolled in neoadjuvant immunotherapy trials. In our recent landmark paper1, we used machine-learning to robustly identify cellular drivers of response. We are extending these data across assays and modalities to better understand the contributions of the wider tumour microenvironment and the potential utility of digital pathology. You will be responsible for collating these diverse data, placing them in a shared coordinate space, and unpicking the critical correlations that underpin treatment effect. This project offers the opportunity to build multi-modal predictive models that we will test in independent datasets with the real potential to surpass by far the current state-of-the-art.

Ours is a diverse and collaborative group that spans clinicians, pathologists, computational and cancer biologists. You will receive extensive training in cancer pathology, highly multiplexed imaging, and predictive modelling. Applications are invited from graduates from quantitative disciplines such as computer science and mathematics, but we also encourage applications from biologists already experienced in computational methods.

References/further reading

• Wang, X. Q. et al. Spatial predictors of immunotherapy response in triple-negative breast cancer. Nature, doi:10.1038/s41586-023-06498-3 (2023).

Funding

This four-year studentship is funded by Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute and includes full funding for University fees and, in addition, a stipend currently of £21,000 per annum for four years.

Eligibility

We welcome applications from both UK and overseas students.

Applications are invited from recent graduates or final-year undergraduates who hold or expect to gain a First/Upper Second Class degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject from any recognised university worldwide.

Applicants with relevant research experience, gained through Master's study or while working in a laboratory, are strongly encouraged to apply.

How to apply

Please apply via the University Applicant Portal. For further information about the course and to access the Applicant Portal, visit:
https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/directory/cvcrpdmsc

You should select to commence study in Michaelmas Term 2025 (October 2025).

Additional information

To complete your online application, you will need to answer/provide the following:

- Choice of project and supervisor

Please ensure that you name the project (with reference code) and supervisor, where indicated. You are permitted to apply for up to three projects.

- Course-specific questions

• You will be asked to give details of your Research Experience (up to 2,500 characters).
• Your Statement of Interest (up to 2,500 characters) should explain why you wish to be considered for the studentship and what qualities and experience you will bring to the role.

- Supporting documents

Applicants will be asked to provide:

• Academic transcripts.
• Evidence of competence in English (if appropriate).
• Details of two academic referees.
• CV/resume.

Deadline

The closing date for applications is 31st October 2024 with interviews expected to take place in January 2025.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Supervisor: Dr Maike de la Roche

Deadline for application: 31st October 2024

Course start date: 1st October 2025

Overview

Dr Maike de la Roche wishes to recruit a student to work on the project entitled: "Immune Hedgehog signalling dynamics in health and disease".

For further information about the research group, including their most recent publications, please visit our website at https://www.cruk.cam.ac.uk/research-groups/de-la-roche-group/

This is a unique opportunity for PhD study in the world-leading Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute (CRUK CI), to start a research career in an environment committed to training outstanding cancer research scientists of the future.

The Institute's particular strengths are in genomics, computational biology and imaging; and significant research effort is currently devoted to cancers arising in the breast, pancreas, brain, and colon. Our Core Facilities provide researchers with access to state-of-the-art equipment, in-house expertise and training. Scientists at CRUK CI aim to understand the fundamental biology of cancer and translate these findings into the clinic to benefit patients.

There are around 100 postgraduate students at the Cambridge Institute, who play a vital and pivotal role in its continuing success. We are committed to providing an inclusive and supportive working environment that fosters intellectual curiosity and scientific excellence.

If you are interested in finding out more about our groundbreaking scientific research, please visit our website at https://www.cruk.cam.ac.uk/

Project details

While we and others have discovered pivotal roles of the Hedgehog pathway in immune cells, Hedgehog signalling dynamics and interaction partners within the cells of the immune system remain elusive. The project aims to shed light on this by using chromobody technology, bespoke mouse models and proximity labelling techniques.

The student will work with murine and human immune cells and the fundamental mechanistic insight gained may inform novel therapeutic entry points into cancer, infection and autoimmunity.

Preferred skills/knowledge

Immune system, immune assays, molecular biology, flow cytometry

Funding

This four-year studentship is funded by Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute and includes full funding for University fees and, in addition, a stipend currently of £21,000 per annum for four years.

Eligibility

We welcome applications from both UK and overseas students.

Applications are invited from recent graduates or final-year undergraduates who hold or expect to gain a First/Upper Second Class degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject from any recognised university worldwide.

Applicants with relevant research experience, gained through Master¿s study or while working in a laboratory, are strongly encouraged to apply.

How to apply

Please apply via the University Applicant Portal. For further information about the course and to access the Applicant Portal, visit:
https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/directory/cvcrpdmsc You should select to commence study in Michaelmas Term 2025 (October 2025).

Additional information

To complete your online application, you will need to answer/provide the following:

- Choice of project and supervisor

Please ensure that you name the project (with reference code) and supervisor, where indicated. You are permitted to apply for up to three projects.

- Course-specific questions

• You will be asked to give details of your Research Experience (up to 2,500 characters).
• Your Statement of Interest (up to 2,500 characters) should explain why you wish to be considered for the studentship and what qualities and experience you will bring to the role.

- Supporting documents

Applicants will be asked to provide:

• Academic transcripts.
• Evidence of competence in English (if appropriate).
• Details of two academic referees.
• CV/resume.

Deadline

The closing date for applications is 31st October 2024 with interviews expected to take place in January 2025.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

Supervisor: Professor Masashi Narita

Deadline for application: 31st October 2024

Course start date: 1st October 2025

Overview

Professor Masashi Narita wishes to recruit a student to work on the project entitled: "Mapping cellular trajectories in the senescence spectrum".

For further information about the research group, including their most recent publications, please visit their website at https://www.naritalab.com/

This is a unique opportunity for PhD study in the world-leading Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute (CRUK CI), to start a research career in an environment committed to training outstanding cancer research scientists of the future.

The Institute's particular strengths are in genomics, computational biology and imaging; and significant research effort is currently devoted to cancers arising in the breast, pancreas, brain, and colon. Our Core Facilities provide researchers with access to state-of-the-art equipment, in-house expertise and training. Scientists at CRUK CI aim to understand the fundamental biology of cancer and translate these findings into the clinic to benefit patients.

There are around 100 postgraduate students at the Cambridge Institute, who play a vital and pivotal role in its continuing success. We are committed to providing an inclusive and supportive working environment that fosters intellectual curiosity and scientific excellence.

If you are interested in finding out more about our groundbreaking scientific research, please visit our website at https://www.cruk.cam.ac.uk/

Project details

Senescence can be triggered by various stimuli across diverse cellular contexts. We are particularly interested in oncogene-induced senescence (OIS), which occurs in the physiological diploid state as an early event in tumour initiation. OIS functions autonomously as a tumour suppressor mechanism, though it is conceptually distinct from tumour-initiating cells (TIC). Our recent study suggests that senescence is not a singular entity but rather a continuum of dynamic cellular functionality and plasticity, forming what we term the 'senescence spectrum.'

Our aim is to gain mechanistic and functional insights into the decision-making process between senescence and tumour initiation within this spectrum. To address this, we will utilise single-cell biology and epigenomic approaches in close collaboration with computational biologists.

Further reading

Chan, Zhu et al. Nature 2024: doi.org/10.1038/s41586-024-07797-z Olan, Ando-Kuri, Parry et al. Nat Commun 2024: https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-51153-8

Preferred skills/knowledge

Experience in epigenetic mapping and computational data analysis is advantageous but not essential.

Funding

This four-year studentship is funded by Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute and includes full funding for University fees and, in addition, a stipend currently of £21,000 per annum for four years.

Eligibility

We welcome applications from both UK and overseas students.

Applications are invited from recent graduates or final-year undergraduates who hold or expect to gain a First/Upper Second Class degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject from any recognised university worldwide.

Applicants with relevant research experience, gained through Master¿s study or while working in a laboratory, are strongly encouraged to apply.

How to apply

Please apply via the University Applicant Portal. For further information about the course and to access the Applicant Portal, visit:
https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/directory/cvcrpdmsc You should select to commence study in Michaelmas Term 2025 (October 2025).

Additional information

To complete your online application, you will need to answer/provide the following:

- Choice of project and supervisor

Please ensure that you name the project (with reference code) and supervisor, where indicated. You are permitted to apply for up to three projects.

- Course-specific questions

• You will be asked to give details of your Research Experience (up to 2,500 characters).
• Your Statement of Interest (up to 2,500 characters) should explain why you wish to be considered for the studentship and what qualities and experience you will bring to the role.

- Supporting documents

Applicants will be asked to provide:

• Academic transcripts.
• Evidence of competence in English (if appropriate).
• Details of two academic referees.
• CV/resume.

Deadline

The closing date for applications is 31st October 2024 with interviews expected to take place in January 2025.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.