Cancer Biology (death) PhD Projects, Programmes & Scholarships

Supervisors: Dr S Papa, Dr R Tooze

All the cells in our bodies are programmed to die. As they get older, our cells accumulate toxic molecules that make them sick. In response, they eventually break down and die, clearing the way for new, healthy cells to grow. Read more

Year round applications PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Structural-guided PROTAC targeting of BMX to modulate apoptotic sensitivity in disease

Supervisors: Dr JF Fox, Dr JH Hodgkinson

What determines at the molecular level whether a cell lives or dies? Regulation of the cellular life–death switch is essential in healthy cells for normal foetal development and for the clearance of damaged cells. Read more

23 May 2024 PhD Research Project Competition Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)

University of Liverpool Department of Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine

Probing Death Decisions from Morphogen Gradient Fields

Morphogen gradient scaling is one of the hottest fields in developmental biology at the moment. Scaling is fundamental, explaining how the machinery that controls pattern formation in development (the morphogens) can adapt, so that organs of different sizes show morphological structures which are proportioned. Read more

Supervisor: Dr MM Merino

Year round applications PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

The University of Manchester Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health

Inducing ferroptotic death to kill cancer cells

Ferroptosis is an iron-dependent form of regulated necrotic cell death triggered by oxidative degradation of lipids in membrane bilayers and subsequent irreparable damages to the plasma membrane (1). Read more

Supervisors: Dr C Tournier, Dr K Finegan

Year round applications PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Structural and functional analysis of the protein complexes which regulate cell fate decisions to identify novel cancer therapies

Year round applications PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Whether a cell dies or not has profound consequences on health and disease. In healthy tissue, cells that acquire high levels of genetic damage are safely removed via a process of programmed cell death. Read more

Supervisor: Dr JF Fox

Sheffield Hallam University Biomolecular Sciences Research Centre

The role of eIF2Bα in the response to Integrated Stress Response (ISR) modulation in cancer

The Industry and Innovation Research Institute (I2Ri) draws on talents, expertise and facilities across Sheffield Hallam University. Read more

Supervisors: Dr E Allen, Dr SC Campbell

10 May 2024 PhD Research Project Competition Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)

Haematology: Oncogenic reprogramming of immune cells; novel mechanism for drug resistance in leukaemia

Year round applications PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Under pathogenic challenges, cells of the haematopoietic system become epigenetically reprogrammed and establish immune memory. Read more

Supervisor: Dr P Laslo

Haematology: Oncogenic reprogramming of immune cells

Supervisors: Dr F Errington-Mais, Dr P Laslo

Under pathogenic challenges, cells of the innate system become epigenetically reprogrammed and establish immune memory. Read more

Year round applications PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

University of Edinburgh College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine

Using a zebrafish tumour initiation model, single cell transcriptomics and in vivo live imaging to dissect mechanisms driving the development of tumour promoting neutrophils from the inception of cancer.

Research Group: Edinburgh Cancer Research Centre

Students will be registered for their degree at either the University of Glasgow or Edinburgh, depending on the project they apply for. Read more

Supervisors: Dr A Khamseh, Dr L Carlin, Dr X Fu, Dr Y Feng

20 May 2024 PhD Research Project Competition Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)

Imperial College London Department of Bioengineering

Microfluidic models of 3D cell migration and metastasis in soft tissue sarcoma

Project Overview. We invite applications for a fully funded PhD studentship position supported by SarcomaUK and their donors. Read more

Supervisors: Prof DRO Overby, Dr P Huang, Dr S Au, Prof RJ Jones

15 May 2024 PhD Research Project Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)

The University of Manchester Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health

(MRC DTP CASE) Understanding how tumour associated macrophages control the tumour immune landscape in NF2-Schwannomatosis

Type 2 Neurofibromatosis (NF2), now referred to as NF2-Schwannomatosis (or NF2-SWN), is a rare autosomal dominant tumour pre-disposition syndrome characterised by growth of typically benign tumours throughout the nervous system. Read more

Supervisors: Prof D Brough, Dr K Couper

13 May 2024 PhD Research Project Competition Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)

University of Galway School of Biological and Chemical Sciences

Fully Funded PhD Scholarship in Centrosome Biology

Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates for a 4-year, full-time funded PhD scholarship(s) starting in June-October 2024 affiliated to the School of Biological and Chemical Sciences at the University of Galway. Read more

Supervisor: Prof C Morrison

3 May 2024 PhD Research Project Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)

University College London UCL Cancer Institute

Experimental and computational Cancer PhD: Overcoming osteosarcoma chemoresistance by characterizing and targeting cellular quiescence

Cancer is the leading cause of death in children and the second in young adults in England and Wales. Sarcomas, tumours that originate from connective tissues (bone, muscle, fat), account for around 15% of childhood cancers. Read more

Supervisors: Dr M Secrier, Dr L Cottone

15 May 2024 PhD Research Project Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)

University of Leicester Department of Genetics and Genome Biology

Genomics of malignant pleural mesothelioma

Malignant pleural mesothelioma is a rare, incurable cancer that carries a dismal prognosis. Its incidence is increasing globally despite its primary cause, asbestos exposure, having been known for over 50 years. Read more

Supervisor: Prof E Hollox

Year round applications PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

University of Dundee School of Medicine

Characterisation of novel therapeutic approaches against invasive breast cancer

Breast cancer is the most common cancer and the leading cause of death from cancer in women worldwide. Read more

Supervisor: Dr L de la Vega

30 June 2024 PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

NIHR Leeds BRC: The microbiome and the promotion of bowel cancer: The key to understanding causation and prevention of this important disease

Supervisors: Dr K Marks, Dr H Wood, Dr N West, Prof P Quirke

Bowel cancer is the second commonest cause of cancer death in the UK and affects 1.9 million people annually worldwide. Its cause is still unknown but recent work by Wood et al. Read more

26 May 2024 PhD Research Project Competition Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)

University of East Anglia Norwich Medical School

Investigating the metabolic link between leukaemia and heart failure (RUSHWORTHS_U24BIGC)

Primary supervisor - Dr Stuart Rushworth. Secondary supervisor - Dr James Smith. Rushworth Lab. This 4-year PhD project funded by the Big C cancer charity represents an exciting opportunity to develop and conduct research at the forefront of cancer research. Read more

Supervisor: Dr S Rushworth

7 May 2024 PhD Research Project Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)

Leibniz-Institute for Plasma Science and Technology (INP) ZIK plasmatis

PhD position in cell biology and inflammation in plasma-treated diseased keratinocytes

Short overview of PlasmACT. The PlasmACT network brings together 5 beneficiaries and 10 associated partners, located in 5 different countries (Germany, France, Netherlands, Belgium, and Luxembourg). Read more

Supervisor: Prof SB Bekeschus

30 April 2024 PhD Research Project Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)

University of Bradford Faculty of Life Sciences

Nanoparticle synthesis and application in magnetic field hyperthermia for cancer therapy

Research Group: Chemistry and Biosciences

Magnetic field hyperthermia (MFH) is currently undergoing clinical trials for use in humans. The research to date has shown the effectiveness of the approach in cells and animal models and the initial results from human trials are promising. Read more

Supervisors: Dr P Drake, Dr S Shnyder

Year round applications PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

University of Bradford Faculty of Life Sciences

Evaluating Photodynamic Therapy in colorectal cancer using patient-derived organoids

Research Group: Chemistry and Biosciences

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the 3rd most common cancer worldwide. Surgery is first line treatment and often in adjunct with chemotherapy. Read more

Supervisors: Dr MI Khot, Prof A Paradkar, Prof D Jayne

Year round applications PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Kingston University Faculty of Health, Science, Social Care and Education

Harnessing Breast Cancer Therapy: Innovative Formulation Strategies for Repurposing Medicines to Overcome Resistance

Background. Research in the Kadri group focuses on developing innovative chemical approaches for the discovery of novel therapeutics to address unmet global health needs. Read more

Supervisor: Dr H Kadri

Year round applications PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Structural investigation of oncogenic splicing factors

Supervisors: Dr C Dominguez, Prof I Eperon, Prof A Hudson

More than 90% of human genes can and do express multiple proteins. This is achieved by a process called alternative RNA splicing, which is an essential step in gene expression in mammals. Read more

Year round applications PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Cancer: Characterization of EGFR signaling activated by the endothelium in the process of breast cancer metastasis to the brain

Supervisors: Dr G Mavria, Dr S Bell

The Epidermal Growth Factor Receptor (EGFR) is important in normal physiology regulating epithelial development and homeostasis. In cancer, deregulation resulting from mutation, amplification or transcriptional upregulation promotes tumorigenesis. Read more

Year round applications PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

University of Liverpool Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology

Personalising cancer treatment with tumour evolution modelling using AI-based genomics biomarkers and PK/PD

Tumour heterogeneity is a major problem limiting the efficacy of targeted oncological therapies. Most advanced tumours eventually become resistant to the treatments, ultimately making the patient succumb to metastatic disease. Read more

Supervisor: Dr T You

1 August 2024 PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

The University of Manchester Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health

Development and validation of a radiosensitivity gene expression signature in prostate cancer

Prostate cancer (PCa) is diagnosed in 1.4 million men globally each year and causes 375,000 deaths, making PCa the second most common cancer and fifth most common cause of death from cancer in men[1]. Read more

Supervisors: Prof A Choudhury, Dr MR Reardon, Dr TS Smith

Year round applications PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Understanding the link between fibrosis, inflammation, and breast cancer initiation

Year round applications PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Understanding the fundamental molecular events that result in tumour initiation is critical to the prevention and treatment of human cancers. Read more

Supervisor: Dr C Switzer

University of Bristol Bristol Medical School

Identifying DNA methylation signatures of prostate cancer progression and mortality among patients with clinically confirmed, localised disease at baseline in a large prospective clinical trial

Rationale. Prostate Cancer (PCa) is a leading cause of male mortality, with 336,000 deaths worldwide each year (1). Although most PCa cases are indolent, slow-growing, and tend not to progress, a subset of PCa cases are more aggressive and will progress to metastases, treatment resistance and death. Read more

Supervisors: Dr P Yousefi, Prof R Martin, Dr M Suderman, Dr A Lane, Dr SM Merriel

Year round applications PhD Research Project Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)

University of Bristol Bristol Medical School

Evaluating the role of circulating proteins in cancer risk and progression using genetic and observational approaches

Rationale. Circulating proteins play fundamental roles in biology and disease aetiology, including development of cancer, and are the direct targets of many drugs (1). Read more

Supervisors: Prof R Martin, Dr JY Yarmolinsky, Dr P Haycock

Year round applications PhD Research Project Funded PhD Project (Students Worldwide)

Northumbria University Faculty of Health and Life Sciences

Understanding L1 ORF1p and Pin1 interaction to exploit it as a therapeutic strategy for liver cancer (ref: SF22/HLS/APP/SHUKLA)

Primary liver cancer, predominantly hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), is the 4th commonest cause of cancer death globally. Read more

Supervisor: Dr R Shukla

Year round applications PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only

Oncology: Evaluating Photodynamic Therapy in colorectal cancer using patient-derived organoids

Supervisors: Dr I Knot, Prof D Jayne

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the 3rd most common cancer worldwide. Surgery is first line treatment and often in adjunct with chemotherapy. Read more

Year round applications PhD Research Project Self-Funded PhD Students Only