Multiscale Modelling of Adhesion, Tumour Heterogeneity and Immune Response in Breast Cancer Invasion

Understanding the complex mechanisms of cancer invasion in the human body remains one of the greatest scientific challenges. At the core of this heterotypic cell process stays the biologically multiscale character of cancer invasion, whose dynamics takes place on several interlinked spatial scales, ranging from cell-scale molecular signaling to tissue-scale cell population activity. Moreover, research over the past decades has shown that the immune response plays an important role within cancer invasion.

This research aims to provide a deeper understanding of cancer invasion through the development of novel multiscale modelling focused on cell-adhesion and tumour heterogeneity under the direct impact of various tumour-infiltrating immune cells.

This is an interdisciplinary project led jointly by Dr. Trucu and Dr. Eftimie and carried out in collaboration with international clinical experts in the area.

The ideal candidate would have good background in computational methods and mathematical analysis for partial differential equations, as well as willingness to incorporate clinical data within the resulting models. Applications will be reviewed and shortlisted applicants will be invited to interview. Interviews are expected to be held between 11-15 June 2018.

To be eligible for a fully-funded studentship, covering tuition fees and an annual stipend, the candidate must have no restrictions on how long they can stay in the UK and have been ordinarily resident in the UK for at least 3 years prior to the start of the studentship (with some further constraint regarding residence for education, further guidance can be found on the EPSRC website). Applicants from EU countries other than the UK who do not comply with the residency criteria are generally only eligible for a fees-only PhD studentship award.

It is anticipated that the successful candidate will start on or around 01 October 2018.

Interested applicants should send a cover letter and CV to [Email Address Removed].

Informal enquiries can be made to Dr Dumitru Trucu ([Email Address Removed]) or Dr Raluca Eftimie ([Email Address Removed])