Characterisation of novel pan-cancer molecular subgroups and development of associated stratifying biomarker signatures through the development of in silico integrated analysis methodologies

FUNDING CONFIRMED - Closing date extended

This is a four year Stratified Medicine Bioinformatics PhD which is part of a collaboration between Queen’s University Belfast (QUB) and Almac Diagnostics. In cancer, the analysis of high-dimensional omics datasets has been used to uncover patterns that are associated with the survival of patients, leading to the development of assays that can guide the treatment of patients. Traditionally, these analyses have considered different cancer types and treatments separately, resulting in a lack of transferability and reproducibility of results. This project will therefore take a pan-cancer approach and will involve the development and application of novel bioinformatics techniques to high-dimensional omics datasets to identify common patient patterns across multiple cancers. In silico techniques will include a virtual macrodissection method with respect to multiple cell types in gene expression profiles isolating tumour-specific signals and an integration methodology to enable novel subgroup discovery and characterisation within multiple datasets across different cancers.

The student will be based primarily in QUB and the project includes a 12-month industrial placement during the latter stages at Almac Diagnostics, Portadown.


REQUIREMENTS

Candidates should have a First class or Upper Second honours degree in Mathematics, Statistics or Computing and/or an MSc in Bioinformatics/Computational Biology/Systems Biology.

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/

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/