3 PhD Research Studentships
A 4D virtual tumour for cancer ecology

Background

The five-year cancer survival rate is 50%, and improving this survival rate depends on us better understanding cancer. Laboratory experiments are essential to understanding cancer, and the spheroid, an aggregate of hundreds of thousands of cells, is one system used to determine how cells respond to anti-cancer drugs. However, spheroids are challenging to work with and experiments are expensive.

The project

This project will construct a ‘virtual tumour’, a computer simulation of a cancer spheroid made up of hundreds of thousands of cells. We will build on an existing model of cell behaviour to simulate responses to drugs and interactions with other cells and the environment (dx.doi.org/10.18632/oncotarget.8747).

Partners

Abertay University will work with the Universities of St Andrews and York and with the technology company Improbable. Prof. David Harrison (University of St Andrews) will provide biological expertise and some of the necessary experimental data. We will use CoSMoS, a complex systems modelling and simulation methodology, and the CoSMoS project lead, Prof. Susan Stepney (University of York), will contribute expertise here. Improbable will provide access to their innovative technological platform, SpatialOS, which offers scalable modelling, simulation and interactive visualisations.

The challenges this project presents are both huge and exciting, and we will work with our partners to deliver the virtual tumour. We seek applications for the following PhD positions:

1. Modelling: To design and develop our agent-based model, including refining an existing complex systems model of the cell and its responses to anti-cancer drugs, to other cells and to the environment. Candidates should have a background in Computer Science, Mathematics or a related discipline, and a degree with a strong element of computer programming and mathematical or computational modelling is desirable.
2. Simulation: To implement our agent-based model using cloud-based software frameworks to scale up simulations from hundreds of cells to hundreds of thousands of cells. Candidates should have a background in Computer Science or a related discipline, and have substantial experience of concurrent, parallel and/or distributed programming and preferably be familiar with a functional language.
3. Visualisation: To devise and implement effective user interfaces to reveal the dynamics of the virtual tumour at different spatial and temporal scales, and to allow users to interact with the model. Candidates should have a background in Computer Science or a related discipline, and a degree with a strong element of visualisation, games technology and/ or Human Computer Interaction is desirable.

Closing date for applications: 17th July 2017 for 1st October 2017 start.

Each PhD studentship is valued at ~£75,000 with a stipend of £14,553 per year over 3.5 years, and tuition fees, travel and equipment. For further details on the project and how to apply see the HireWire jobs board at www.abertay.ac.uk/discover/work-here/jobs