Dr B Werner, Prof Trevor Graham
No more applications being accepted
Funded PhD Project (UK Students Only)
About the Project
Dr Benjamin Werner from the Barts Cancer Institute in London is searching for a PhD candidate to join his team at Queen Mary University in London. This project will mathematically model the evolution that occurs inside the human body, and make use of large datasets (mainly genomics) to fit and test the models.
Both tumours and healthy tissues evolve, e.g. they accumulate mutations with time. Usually, we cannot observe this change directly, but can only measure the diversity of mutations at a given age in healthy tissue or at diagnosis in tumours. We therefore develop methods that extract information of the evolutionary process from single time point data. These methods combine expertise in data science, bioinformatics, theoretical population genetics and genomics. During your PhD, you would be part of a team that develops and applies new computational/mathematical methods to genomic data of cancerous and healthy tissue to understand in which way(s) evolution is different in healthy compared to cancer cells. We work on mutation accumulation and telomere shortening in healthy haematopoiesis, site-frequency spectra in healthy tissues and tumours, the dynamics of extra-chromosomal DNA and follow resistance evolution in cancer from cell free DNA in blood of patients. The specific project will be tailored to the interests of the student.
During your PhD you would learn how to analyse genomic data (newly generated and public data, single cell and bulk sequencing), learn how to statistically analyse those data, program small computer simulations and develop/apply mathematical models of somatic evolution. The exact importance of each of these skills will depend on your interest and no detailed knowledge of each of these skills is required to start with your project. Our lab works very closely with many groups, most importantly, the research groups of Trevor Graham, Andrea Sottoriva and Weini Huang. You would be part and greatly benefit from these frequent collaborations and discussions. For a more detailed discussion on details of the projects and opportunities, please contact Benjamin Werner at: [Email Address Removed].
Funding Notes
The studentship includes the following funding for 3 years:
- A tax-free annual stipend of £21,000
- Tuition fees at the Home rate*
- Project consumables
*If you are considered an overseas student for fee purposes, you are welcome to apply for this studentship, however you will be required to cover the difference in tuition fees.
This studentship is open to graduates with:
- a 2:1 or 1st degree in a relevant biological subject from a UK university or the international equivalent from a recognised institution.
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