*Application closing date has been extended for this project*
The role of non-coding somatic mutations in driving the development of cancer is largely unknown. This project will leverage results from genome-wide association studies that have identified non-coding regions of the genome contributing to the aetiology of many common types of cancer to gain insight into the mechanisms through which non-coding somatic mutation events contribute to cancer processes. The student will first develop data driven approaches to identify functional elements in cancer predisposition loci that have an excess of somatic mutations in a range of common types of cancer. A subset of these elements will then be selected for functional characterisation using a series of genetic perturbation methods (including CRISPRa/i), reporter assays and phenotypic analyses in cell-line models of cancer. As such the student will receive training in a wide range of bioinformatic and functional molecular biology techniques.
Funding eligibility: ROI (and EU applicants with pre-settled/settled) status may be eligible for funding. Please review the DfE T&C’s.
ENTRY REQUIREMENTS
You must hold or expect to get an upper second class honours degree from a university in the UK or Ireland, or qualifications and experience considered by the University as equivalent to that standard. Candidates who already hold a doctoral degree, or who have registered on a PhD for one year (or part-time equivalent) are not eligible.
English Language
Candidates applying from countries where the first language is not English should produce evidence of their competence through a qualification such as IELTS or TOEFL score.
The minimum recommended score for the School of Medicine, Dentistry and Biomedical Science is:
· IELTS score of 6.0 with not less than 5.5 in each of the four component elements of listening, reading, speaking and writing taken within the last 2 years;
· TOEFL score of 80+ (internet basted test), taken within the last 2 years, with minimum component scores of; Listening 17, Reading 18, Speaking 20, Writing 17);
· A valid Certificate of Proficiency in English grade A or B;
· A valid Certificate of Advanced English grade A; or
· A first or upper second class honours degree from a university based in the UK, Republic of Ireland or other suitably quality assured location in a country deemed by the UK Border Agency to be majority English speaking.
For a list of English Language qualifications also accepted by the School and University please see the following link:
http://www.qub.ac.uk/International/International-students/Applying/English-language-requirements/#English
INTO Queen’s English Language Courses offers both pre-sessional and in-sessional courses in English for academic purposes and study skills. Courses vary in length and full information can be obtained at: https://www.qub.ac.uk/International/International-students/Applying/University-Preparation-Courses/INTOEnglishlanguagecoursesatQueens/