Dr Tim Downing
No more applications being accepted
Competition Funded PhD Project (European/UK Students Only)
About the Project
Project:
Defects in DNA replication and repair processes result in a range of molecular symptoms that can be deciphered from genome-wide mutation profiles. Different classes of mutation signatures are associated with specific cancer subtypes, but the mutant genes and potential for compensating mutations at other interacting partners remains unexplored. This project will use a variety of statistical, computational and bioinformatic approaches to link known DNA hypermutation signatures associated with breast cancer with specific alterations at genes involved in replication and repair. This investigation will refine potential targets for drug treatments and patient screening by analysing how key genetic changes predisposing people to cancer can be buffered by other mutations.
Qualifications:
Applicant must have (or be about to obtain):
1. a minimum upper second class honours undergraduate degree
2. relevant research experience in computational science
3. an in-depth understanding of the proposed research area
4. demonstrate the ability to think independently
5. a qualification in computing / bioinformatics / genomics / statistics / applied maths
Applications are invited from suitably qualified candidates to apply for funding from the Irish Research Council to support MSc or PhD research at Dublin City University under the supervision of Lecturer in Genomics Dr. Tim Downing. Dublin City University provides an excellent environment for research on infectious disease evolution for structured MSc (24 months) and PhD (48 months) studentships.
To Apply:
Applications to include:
- a detailed covering letter
- CV
- contact details of two referees
These should be sent, via e-mail (in Microsoft Word or PDF only) with reference number DCU-09-16 in subject line.
Deadline: Friday 30th September 2016
IRC deadline: 2nd November 2016
Start date: Summer 2017 (if funding secured)
Funding Notes
Note that postgraduate scholarships are highly competitive. Candidates without a background and aptitude for quantitative biology should not apply.Non-native speakers of English are required to provide evidence of their English language competency as part of their application.
References
1. Seplyarskiy VB, et al. APOBEC-induced mutations in human cancers are strongly enriched on the lagging DNA strand during replication. Genome Research 2016.
2. Haradhvala NJ, et al. Mutational Strand Asymmetries in Cancer Genomes Reveal Mechanisms of DNA Damage and Repair. Cell 2016.
3. Kelly H, Downing T, et al. Cross platform standardisation and normalisation experimental pipeline for use in the biodiscovery of dysregulated human circulating miRNAs. PLoS One 2015.