Funded PhD studentship: Overcoming chemoresistance in germ cell tumours

Suitably qualified and highly motivated candidates are invited to apply for a fully-funded PhD studentship in the group of Dr. Peter Nicholls (co-supervised by Prof. Sherif El-Khamisy and Dr. Krzysztof Poterlowicz) at the Institute of Cancer Therapeutics at the University of Bradford in the area of cancer biology.

Germ cell tumours (GCTs) are among the most common cancer of young children and the most common cancer of men under the age of 45. These tumours, and the embryonic cells they arise from¹, are exquisitely sensitive to existing therapeutics the cause DNA damage. Despite the stunning clinical success of such agents, the pathways underpinning this sensitivity are poorly understood and the development of chemoresistance remains a significant clinical challenge². The aim of this PhD project is to examine why cells of the germline are sensitised to apoptosis. The project will utilise human GCT cell lines that exhibit variable responses to existing therapeutics and genetically edited embryonic stem cell lines. These studies are expected to yield a deeper understanding of the origin and biology of these tumours, and to facilitate the development of novel therapeutic approaches.

The student will receive in-depth training in a range of cell and molecular biology techniques, including tissue culture, cell assays, genome-wide transcriptional approaches, genetic editing, and pharmacology. The ideal candidate will possess good laboratory skills, excellent problem-solving abilities and committed to collaborative research. The candidate should hold a 1st Class or an Upper 2nd Class MSc or BSc degree, with broad experience across multiple biomedical sciences.