Network Pharmacology for Novel Cancer Combination Therapies and Diagnostics

This interdisciplinary project connects clinical outcomes and biological mechanism in order to advance cancer therapy, applying data-intensive, systems medicine approaches. Genome-scale biochemical interaction networks will provide an interaction map for graph-theoretic analysis of existing drug response datasets. Multiple functional genomics datasets from drug-treated cells provide signatures of drug response and hence insight into drug mode of action. Transcriptome and rich clinical data from prostate cancer patients will provide for investigation of candidate biomarkers and response modules identified in analysis of the cell line data. Key areas of research are:

1. Modelling gene function in cancer drug resistance and response; towards systems-wide executablemodels.
2. Identification of candidate drug combinations to drive tumour cell networks towards therapeutic endpoints (e.g. apoptosis). Prostate cancer will be an exemplar, where significant in vitro and clinical data are available in collaboration with the Mills group and the Belfast-Manchester Movember National Centre of Excellence.
3. Development of novel algorithms, techniques and computational workflows; including tools to risk stratify patients by survival and response to treatment . For example, one strand will work towards developing a companion diagnostic linked to candidate combination therapy from computational analysis.
4. Training will be provided in a range of research competencies across multiple disciplines including: cancer biology, polyomics data integration, cluster computing, biomedical statistics, computer programming, network biology, genetics, systems pharmacology, precision medicine. Training will also include transferable skills for example in: scientific method, critical thinking, problem-solving, communicating results etc.. There will be opportunity for wet-laboratory work with prostate cancer cell lines and organoids (Mills), following up computational results.
5. This project involves collaboration with GlaxoSmithKline who will provide datasets and computational workflows; interactions will include regular visits and a six-month placement during the second year of the studentship.

ELIGIBILITY

The following criteria must be met, in order for applications to be shortlisted for evaluation. The criteria are set by The Marie Sklodowska-Curie actions in Horizon 2020, Co-funding of regional, national and international programmes (COFUND).

EARLY STAGE RESEARCHER: ESR’s must be, at the time of recruitment (understood as the call deadline: 11th April 2018), in the first four years (full-time equivalent) of their research careers and must not have been awarded a doctoral degree. This is measured from the date when the researcher obtained the degree entitling him or her to embark on a doctorate, either in the country in which the degree was obtained or in the country in which the researcher is recruited, even if a doctorate was never started or envisaged.

MOBILITY RULE: Researchers shall not have resided or carried out their main activity (work, studies, etc.) in the country of their host organisation for more than 12 months in the 3 years immediately prior to the call deadline (11th April 2018). Compulsory national service and/or short stays such as holidays are not taken into account.

In relation to the SPaRK Programme, the country of the host organization is United Kingdom, of which Northern Ireland is a part.

All applications will be checked to ensure that eligibility requirements have been met and ineligible applicants will be informed by 11th May 2018.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

Candidates should have or expect to obtain a 2:1 or higher Honours degree or equivalent in a relevant biomedical or life sciences subject.

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

The English Language Unit (ELU) 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 from the ELU http://www.qub.ac.uk/tefl/