Understanding the immunological and microbiome-associated mechanisms of response and resistance to radiotherapy in rectal cancer

This Leeds-Manchester CRUK Clinical Research Training Fellowship in radiotherapy response and resistance in rectal cancer is available in the School of Medicine in 2027. This studentship is open to UK applicants and covers PhD tuition fees, clinical salary and project running costs. <br /> <br /> The School of Medicine invites applications from prospective postgraduate researchers who wish to commence study for a PhD in the academic year 2027/28. The award is open to full-time or part-time candidates (UK only) who meet the eligibility for a place on a PhD degree at the School of Medicine and are at the appropriate stage of UK clinical specialty training. <br /> <br /> This PhD fellowship provides an exciting opportunity for a doctor in UK higher specialty clinical training, for example in histopathology, to pursue research relating to understanding the immunological and microbiome-associated mechanisms of response and resistance to radiotherapy in rectal cancer.

<p paraeid="{5489d961-0a9c-4b0e-b28f-4df137827e1c}{52}" paraid="1620020817">Rectal cancer is common with nearly 12,000 new cases diagnosed in the UK every year. Patients with locally advanced disease are offered pre-operative radiotherapy to reduce the risk of local recurrence and improve survival. Patients show variable benefit from radiotherapy, however, there are no validated predictive biomarkers in routine clinical use. In addition, the precise mechanisms of radiotherapy response and resistance are not well understood, limiting the investigation of novel treatment strategies.  </p> <p paraeid="{5489d961-0a9c-4b0e-b28f-4df137827e1c}{66}" paraid="159259105">This exciting project will utilise internationally recognised strengths across Leeds and Manchester to investigate the mechanisms of radiotherapy response and identify novel predictive biomarkers. The universities of Leeds and Manchester both host CRUK Radiation Research Centres of Excellence (RadNet) with ongoing collaborative research projects across the supervisory team utilising the unique collection of rectal cancer radiotherapy trial cohorts held in Leeds (<a href="https://www.virtualpathology.leeds.ac.uk/clinical" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">https://www.virtualpathology.leeds.ac.uk/clinical</a>). The supervisory team have recognised strengths in understanding the immunomodulatory effects of radiotherapy in the tumour microenvironment, clinical trials, digital pathology/artificial intelligence and the cancer microbiome.</p> <p paraeid="{5489d961-0a9c-4b0e-b28f-4df137827e1c}{66}" paraid="159259105">The successful candidate will work with samples collected from national and international clinical trials of rectal cancer radiotherapy including early-stage disease (e.g. TREC, STAR-TREC, APHRODITE) and locally advanced disease (e.g. CR07, ARISTOTLE, ARTEMIS, TIMM-RAD). They will investigate the role of the local tumour immune response in response using a combination of digital pathology analysis and multiplex immunofluorescence. In addition, they will utilise the Leeds OPTIMISTICC CRUK grand challenge infrastructure (<a href="https://www.cancergrandchallenges.org/optimisticc" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">https://www.cancergrandchallenges.org/optimisticc</a>) to investigate the role that the cancer microbiome plays in radiotherapy response and resistance. </p>

<p paraeid="{5489d961-0a9c-4b0e-b28f-4df137827e1c}{250}" paraid="2046098614">To apply for this scholarship opportunity applicants should complete an <a href="https://biologicalsciences.leeds.ac.uk/research-degrees/doc/how-to-apply" rel="noreferrer noopener" target="_blank">online application form</a> and attach the following documentation to support their application.  </p> <ul role="list"> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="6" data-font="Courier New" data-leveltext="o" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Courier New","469769242":[9675],"469777803":"left","469777804":"o","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-listid="3" role="listitem"> <p paraeid="{03f35308-9300-4bfc-a99d-494b5f47c3f7}{39}" paraid="2043878472">a full academic CV </p> </li> </ul> <ul role="list"> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="7" data-font="Courier New" data-leveltext="o" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Courier New","469769242":[9675],"469777803":"left","469777804":"o","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-listid="3" role="listitem"> <p paraeid="{03f35308-9300-4bfc-a99d-494b5f47c3f7}{45}" paraid="1078529008">a personal statement (1,000 words maximum) describing your suitability for the project, giving an overview of your relevant experience, research and clinical training. </p> </li> </ul> <ul role="list"> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="8" data-font="Courier New" data-leveltext="o" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Courier New","469769242":[9675],"469777803":"left","469777804":"o","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-listid="3" role="listitem"> <p paraeid="{03f35308-9300-4bfc-a99d-494b5f47c3f7}{53}" paraid="854648403">degree certificate and transcripts of marks </p> </li> </ul> <ul role="list"> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="9" data-font="Courier New" data-leveltext="o" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Courier New","469769242":[9675],"469777803":"left","469777804":"o","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-listid="3" role="listitem"> <p paraeid="{03f35308-9300-4bfc-a99d-494b5f47c3f7}{59}" paraid="1589695704">Evidence that you meet the University's minimum English language requirements (if applicable) </p> </li> </ul> <p paraeid="{03f35308-9300-4bfc-a99d-494b5f47c3f7}{65}" paraid="1556620361">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 role="list"> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="10" data-font="Courier New" data-leveltext="o" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Courier New","469769242":[9675],"469777803":"left","469777804":"o","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-listid="3" role="listitem"> <p paraeid="{03f35308-9300-4bfc-a99d-494b5f47c3f7}{79}" paraid="531188198">Select PhD in Medicine as your programme of study </p> </li> </ul> <ul role="list"> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="11" data-font="Courier New" data-leveltext="o" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Courier New","469769242":[9675],"469777803":"left","469777804":"o","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-listid="3" role="listitem"> <p paraeid="{03f35308-9300-4bfc-a99d-494b5f47c3f7}{85}" paraid="1015331596">Give the full project title and name the supervisors listed in this advert </p> </li> </ul> <ul role="list"> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="12" data-font="Courier New" data-leveltext="o" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Courier New","469769242":[9675],"469777803":"left","469777804":"o","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-listid="3" role="listitem"> <p paraeid="{03f35308-9300-4bfc-a99d-494b5f47c3f7}{91}" paraid="998991628">For source of funding please state you are applying for a Leeds-Manchester CRUK Clinical PhD Fellowship </p> </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 (honours) in medicine and be in a GMC-recognised UK clinical training programme. Applicants who are uncertain about the requirements for a particular research degree are advised to contact Jo Bentley J.Bentley@leeds.ac.uk or the Admissions Team prior to making an application.

The minimum English language entry requirement for postgraduate research study in the School of Medicine 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 paraeid="{5489d961-0a9c-4b0e-b28f-4df137827e1c}{134}" paraid="1297129593">Information about the Award </p> <ul role="list"> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-font="Courier New" data-leveltext="o" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Courier New","469769242":[9675],"469777803":"left","469777804":"o","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-listid="1" role="listitem"> <p paraeid="{5489d961-0a9c-4b0e-b28f-4df137827e1c}{140}" paraid="690562519">We are offering 1 full-time/ part-time PhD fellowship in the School of Medicine for one UK candidate, covering PhD tuition fees, clinical salary and project running costs for three years, subject to satisfactory progress.  </p> </li> </ul> <p paraeid="{5489d961-0a9c-4b0e-b28f-4df137827e1c}{158}" paraid="714957172">Duration of the Award </p> <ul role="list"> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-font="Courier New" data-leveltext="o" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Courier New","469769242":[9675],"469777803":"left","469777804":"o","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-listid="2" role="listitem"> <p paraeid="{5489d961-0a9c-4b0e-b28f-4df137827e1c}{164}" paraid="1924163940">Full-time (3 years). 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> </li> </ul> <p paraeid="{5489d961-0a9c-4b0e-b28f-4df137827e1c}{170}" paraid="1959272897">Other Conditions </p> <ul role="list"> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="1" data-font="Courier New" data-leveltext="o" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Courier New","469769242":[9675],"469777803":"left","469777804":"o","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-listid="3" role="listitem"> <p paraeid="{5489d961-0a9c-4b0e-b28f-4df137827e1c}{176}" paraid="1019465687">Applicants must not have already been awarded or be currently studying for a doctoral degree. </p> </li> </ul> <ul role="list"> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="2" data-font="Courier New" data-leveltext="o" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Courier New","469769242":[9675],"469777803":"left","469777804":"o","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-listid="3" role="listitem"> <p paraeid="{5489d961-0a9c-4b0e-b28f-4df137827e1c}{182}" paraid="1057572389">Applicants must live within a reasonable distance of the University of Leeds whilst in receipt of this scholarship. </p> </li> </ul> <ul role="list"> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="3" data-font="Courier New" data-leveltext="o" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Courier New","469769242":[9675],"469777803":"left","469777804":"o","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-listid="3" role="listitem"> <p paraeid="{5489d961-0a9c-4b0e-b28f-4df137827e1c}{188}" paraid="1175179777">Applicants must hold an MBChB degree or equivalent medical qualification </p> </li> </ul> <ul role="list"> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="4" data-font="Courier New" data-leveltext="o" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Courier New","469769242":[9675],"469777803":"left","469777804":"o","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-listid="3" role="listitem"> <p paraeid="{5489d961-0a9c-4b0e-b28f-4df137827e1c}{196}" paraid="1829045709">Applicants must be a post-registration clinician and in a GMC-recognised UK clinical specialty training programme. </p> </li> </ul> <ul role="list"> <li aria-setsize="-1" data-aria-level="1" data-aria-posinset="5" data-font="Courier New" data-leveltext="o" data-list-defn-props="{"335552541":1,"335559685":720,"335559991":360,"469769226":"Courier New","469769242":[9675],"469777803":"left","469777804":"o","469777815":"multilevel"}" data-listid="3" role="listitem"> <p paraeid="{5489d961-0a9c-4b0e-b28f-4df137827e1c}{212}" paraid="1671996062">Interviews will be held on the week commencing 5th February 2027 at the MCRC Centre in Manchester </p> </li> </ul> <p paraeid="{5489d961-0a9c-4b0e-b28f-4df137827e1c}{236}" paraid="1555483644">Prior to the interview day, a full itinerary will be sent to you confirming further details about the process including information about additional activities that may take place on the day, as well as practical information on getting to the interview location.  </p>

<p>For further information please contact the Admissions office<br /> e: HLSPGRAdmissions@leeds.ac.uk</p>