MRC Industrial CASE PhD Studentship in Cancer Proteomics

Applications are invited from U.K. residents or EU nationals to join the UCL EGA Institute for Women’s Health, Cancer Proteomics Group, studying risk factors and early detection markers in colorectal cancer. This MRC Industrial CASE studentship supervised by Dr John Timms is available from academic year 2012/13 for 4 years and is in partnership with Abcodia Ltd (http://www.abcodia.com/).

The project aims to more clearly define the risk factors associated with the onset of colorectal cancer (CRC) and to identify blood borne biomarkers for the early detection of the disease. These aims will be achieved through the analysis of clinical, epidemiological and health questionnaire data from the world's largest randomised control trial, the UK Collaborative Trial of Ovarian Cancer Screening (UKCTOCS), and through the profiling of relevant serum samples from this trial collected from women up to 9 years prior to diagnosis of CRC. The comparative analysis of these pre-diagnosis samples will enable assessment of biomarker specificity early in the development of the disease in the absence of late-stage confounders, whilst profiling of serial samples from the same women will add confidence to the discovery through observation of consistent temporal changes in serum proteins and autoantibodies in the lead up to diagnosis.

The project will provide training in statistical and computational analyses, particularly the management and interpretation of large and complex datasets and linkage of different data types (clinical, epidemiological and proteomic). It will also provide laboratory skills in state-of-the-art proteomic technologies and experience in biomarker assay development. As such the work is interdisciplinary and will provide cross-cutting skills within the area of population health sciences and clinical pathology.

Dr John F. Timms, EGA Institute for Women’s Health, University College London
Email: [Email Address Removed]
http://www.instituteforwomenshealth.ucl.ac.uk/academic_research/gynaecologicalcancer/cpl/

Applying
Interested candidates who possess, or expect to receive, a 1st class or upper 2nd degree (or equivalent) in related sciences should apply in writing with an expression of interest letter, full curriculum vitae and the names, addresses and contact numbers of two referees by the 8th April 2012 to:
Dr John Timms, Cancer Proteomics Laboratory, EGA Institute for Women’s Health, Cruciform Building, Gower St, London WC1E 6BT ([Email Address Removed])