Understanding cancer in individuals with cystic fibrosis

One full scholarship is available in the School of Medicine in 2025/26. This scholarship is open to UK applicants and covers tuition fees plus maintenance for three years.<br /> <br /> This fully funded PhD place provides an exciting opportunity to pursue postgraduate research in cancer epidemiology and data science. You will have the opportunity to work with a multidisciplinary team of clinicians, epidemiologists and charity partners to examine the relationship between cystic fibrosis and cancer, identify subgroups at elevated risk of developing cancer and/or poor outcomes from cancer, and inform screening and surveillance of this population.<br /> <br /> We are looking for a talented and motivated individual to join our research group and take forward this novel research project.<br /> <br /> The School of Medicine invites applications from prospective postgraduate researchers who wish to commence study for a PhD in the academic year 2025/26 for the ‘Understanding cancer in individuals with cystic fibrosis’ Scholarship. The award is open to full-time candidates (UK only) who meet the eligibility for a place on a PhD degree at the School of Medicine.

<p>The PhD will focus on improving our understanding of the relationship between cystic fibrosis and cancer. Cystic fibrosis is an inherited disease that damages a person’s lungs, digestive tract, and other organs. In the UK, one in 2,500 babies are born with cystic fibrosis. Research shows that people with cystic fibrosis have a higher risk of being diagnosed with cancer than other people of similar age. Their cancers are often more aggressive, and patients have worse survival rates. The ability to quantify any excess risk of cancer in the cystic fibrosis population and identify any subgroups at a higher risk of having poor outcomes is important so that the approach to screening, testing and cancer treatment in this community can be tailored to the needs of people with cystic fibrosis.</p> <p>You will make use of data which combines information from the Cystic Fibrosis Register and national cancer registration data in order calculate the incidence of different types of cancer in individuals with cystic fibrosis and examine diagnostic pathways (such as stage of disease) and outcomes (such as mortality) in those with cystic fibrosis and cancer. You will work closely with the supervisory team and the wider project group, collaborating with academics, clinicians, charity partners and patients to produce high quality research and disseminate the findings to appropriate audiences.</p> <p>This scholarship is funded by Boehringer Ingleheim and will be hosted by the <a href="https://medicinehealth.leeds.ac.uk/medicine">School of Medicine</a>. The school conducts research across a range of major interdisciplinary research topics, including cancer, rare diseases and population health. You will benefit from links with the <a href="https://lida.leeds.ac.uk/">Leeds Institute for Data Analytics</a>, which brings together applied research groups and data scientists from all disciplines and provides a secure environment for researchers to store, process and analyse sensitive and confidential data.</p> <p>You will be highly numerate, with a strong background in undertaking data analysis and writing efficient and well documented code (for example in R or Stata). You will ideally have experience of data analytics in a health context. You will have good communication and organisational skills, with the ability to work with a multidisciplinary team, and a strong interest in producing quantitative evidence for informing health policy.</p>

<p>To apply for this scholarship opportunity applicants should complete an <a href="https://prod.banner.leeds.ac.uk/ssb/bwskalog_uol.P_DispLoginNon">online application form</a> and attach the following documentation to support their application.</p> <ul> <li>a full academic CV</li> <li>degree certificate and transcripts of marks</li> <li>Evidence that you meet the University's minimum English language requirements (if applicable)</li> </ul> <p>To help us identify that you are applying for this scholarship project please ensure you provide the following information on your application form;</p> <ul> <li>Select PhD in Medicine as your programme of study</li> <li>Give the full project title and name the supervisors listed in this advert</li> <li>For source of funding please state you are applying for a Boehringer Ingleheim Scholarship</li> </ul> <p>If English is not your first language, you must provide evidence that you meet the University's minimum English language requirements (below).</p> <p><em>As an international research-intensive university, we welcome students from all walks of life and from across the world. We foster an inclusive environment where all can flourish and prosper, and we are proud of our strong commitment to student education. Across all Faculties we are dedicated to diversifying our community and we welcome the unique contributions that individuals can bring, and particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to Black, Asian, people who belong to a minority ethnic community, people who identify as LGBT+ and people with disabilities. Applicants will always be selected based on merit and ability.</em></p>

Applicants to this scholarship in the School of Medicine should normally have an Undergraduate degree of 2:1 or above (or international equivalent) in a relevant subject area. A Master’s degree is desirable, but not essential.

The minimum English language entry requirement for research postgraduate research study is an IELTS of 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each component (reading, writing, listening and speaking) or equivalent. The test must be dated within two years of the start date of the course in order to be valid.

<p>We are offering 1 full-time PhD scholarship in the School of Medicine for one UK candidate, with a maintenance grant matching the UKRI maintenance stipend (£20,780 in 2025/26) and UK tuition fees for three years, subject to satisfactory progress. The award will be made for one year in the first instance and renewable for a further period of up to two years, subject to satisfactory academic progress.</p>

<p>For further information about the admissions process please contact <a href="mailto:fmhpgradmissions@leeds.ac.uk">fmhpgradmissions@leeds.ac.uk</a></p>