Fully-funded PhD projects

Apply for our fully-funded PhD projects in subjects including chemistry, biology, computer science, and physics.

PhD opportunities for science graduates

Applications are now open for our 2023/24 fully-funded PhD studentships. We aim to run the first round of interviews on Monday 8th January, and the second on Monday 29th January. Below you will find a link to further information about our application process, our application portal and mailing list, should you wish to be notified about future PhD opportunities. You can also view the recording of this year's Application Workshop, where we heard from our Academic Lead for Recruitment, Head of Research Degree Programmes and Researcher Development Manager. We also had advice and guidance from the University of London Careers Service, and an insight from some of our current PhD students at the ICR.

Find out about our application process

View 2023 application workshop recording

Application process flow diagram

Apply now

Available opportunities and the project archive

You can view details of the projects we are advertising below. Funding for our PhD projects comes from a variety of different sources, including some funded programmes, such as the MRC Doctoral Training Partnership and CRUK Convergence Science Centre. Please note, the advertised funder may change prior to registration. Use the dropdowns to filter by site, subject and deadline, and then click 'Filter' to see relevant projects. If you use a filter and cannot see any results, then there are no projects matching your requirements and should try a different selection of dropdowns.

Site:

Subject:

Deadline:

Exploiting 3D in vitro models to advance diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a probe of cellular and tumour microstructure

Primary Supervisor: Dr Jessica Winfield
Supervisory Team: Dr Paula Cunnea, Dr Clementine Lesbats, Dr Tom Lund, Prof Simon Robinson, Prof Christina Messiou
Primary Division and Team: Radiotherapy & Imaging, Applied Physics in Clinical MRI
Project Area: Physics & Engineering, Chemistry
Studentship Funded by: CRUK Convergence Science Centre
Studentship Awarded by: ICR
Studentship Start-Date: October 2024

Deadline: 29 December 2023

Please see Convergence Science Centre eligibility criteria here.

Fully-funded PhD projects

PhD opportunities for science graduates

Available opportunities and the project archive

Site:

Subject:

Deadline:

Any 06 November 2023 12 November 2023 29 December 2023

Exploiting 3D in vitro models to advance diffusion magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) as a probe of cellular and tumour microstructure

Morphological phenotyping of the ccRCC TME using Deep Learning and Morphometrics

Super-resolution microscopy to investigate epigenetic evolution in ovarian high grade serous carcinoma

Developing novel cancer therapeutics using human patient-derived cancer organoids

Investigating the Tumour Microenvironment (TME) in vitro and in vivo

Novel mass spectrometry-based approaches for peptide interactomics

Using Grand canonical Monte Carlo to predict cryptic pockets for drug binding

Harnessing the principle of cell competition to treat breast cancer

Examining the mechanism of chromatin replication and assembly at telomeres

Investigating the Regulation and Replication of R-loops at Telomeres

Role of the non-coding genome in the evolution of myeloma

DNA damage deficiency in prostate cancer: functional characterisation and treatment

The role of the immune response in tumour chromosome instability, cancer evolution and sensitivity to radiotherapy

Investigation of the cancer cell membrane proteome to find new vulnerabilities in Nonsmall cell lung cancer

Tissue-based biomarkers of risk and progression to breast cancer using pathomics

Deciphering the immunopeptidome in chromatin regulator driven cancers

Determining the role of Cyclin B2 in Genomic Stability

AI/ML-based Characterisation of Metabolic Addictions in Pancreatic Cancer

Imaging to characterise the biomechanical phenotype of cancer and its association with the immune landscape and radiation response

Studying the emerging role of diet and nutrition in cancer prevention and therapy response

LMO1 intracellular antibody fragments for delivery in improved treatment of childhood neuroblastoma

Targeting MYCN via drugs that recapitulate ATRX Loss-of-Function

Transcription factor targeting in paediatric-type diffuse high-grade glioma

Identifying novel therapeutic approaches targeting DNA damage repair pathways for childhood cancers with ATRX mutations

Photoimmunotherapy targeting of paediatric-type diffuse high-grade glioma (PDHGG)

Previous projects

Resolving the isoform-specific signalling of RSK1 and RSK4 in non-small cell lung cancer through combined artificial intelligence and molecular biology Dr Anna Barnard

Resolving the isoform-specific signalling of RSK1 and RSK4 in non-small cell lung cancer through combined artificial intelligence and molecular biology Dr Olivier Pardo

Fluorescent nanoparticle arrays for label-free monitoring of immunotherapy for bladder cancer Dr Anna Wilkins

Machine and deep learning for improving photoacoustic imaging for CAR T-cell cancer therapy Professor Jeff Bamber (ICR)/Lucia Florescu (Surrey)

Investigating the functions of histone acetylation in genome organization and leukemogenesis Dr Alex Radzisheuskaya

Exploiting intercellular interactions to overcome prostate cancer cell states cooperation and plasticity Dr Marco Bezzi

Comprehensive multi-omic analyses of “islands of resistance” tumour cells to identify aromatase inhibitor resistant subclones in oestrogen receptor positive breast cancer Dr Maggie Cheang

Targeting cancer cell dependency on RNA-binding proteins Dr Paul Clarke

Understanding the mechanisms underpinning therapeutic vulnerability of SWI/SNF deficient cancers Professor Jessica Downs

Computational genomics and epigenomics to understand metastasis Professor Trevor Graham

In situ analysis of the TCR repertoire in colorectal cancer Professor Trevor Graham

Structural and functional studies of the regulation of mRNA splicing by cyclin-dependent kinases Dr Basil Greber

Development of tankyrase-directed PROTACs as novel scaffolding inhibitors Professor Sebastian Guettler

Tracking immune cell migration in tumour and normal tissues after combined radiation-drug therapy in Kaede mice Professor Kevin Harrington

Developing new therapeutic strategies for ALT positive sarcomas Dr Paul Huang

Integrative spatial proteomic analysis of tumour microenvironment response to therapy in sarcomas Dr Paul Huang

Modelling and targeting the effects of EGFR on diffusely infiltrating paediatric high-grade gliomas or midline and cerebral regions Professor Chris Jones/Dr Julia Cockle

Identifying molecular pathways of drug resistance in multiple myeloma Dr Martin Kaiser

Exploring the differences in the structural characterisation of inhibitor binding between cryo- and room-temperature using multicrystal X-ray crystallography Dr Rob van Montfort

Evaluation of sub-clonal alterations mediating response and resistance to CDK7 inhibition in therapy resistant triple negative breast cancer Dr Rachael Natrajan

Identifying therapeutical opportunities within replicative stress response pathways for the development of novel therapeutic strategies to treat cancer Professor Wojciech Nidzwiedz

Structural investigation of spliceosomes hijacked by oncolytic viruses Professor Vlad Pena

Innate-immune drivers of cell fate during genotoxic stress Dr Christian Zierhut

Targeting RNA helicases to suppress aberrant androgen receptor expression and abrogate persistent androgen receptor signalling in lethal prostate cancer Dr Adam Sharp

Development of a patient model for real-time MRI guided radiotherapy of pancreas and liver cancer Professor Uwe Oelfke

Charting colorectal cancer interactomes at structural resolution using chemical crosslinking and mass spectrometry Professor Jyoti Choudhary

Development of novel dual-target agents to treat neuroblastoma that combine selective protein degradation with synergistic inhibition Professor Hector Keun (Imperial)

Unravelling the role of cancer associated fibroblasts in cancer evolution and drug resistance using microfluidics Professor Udai Banerji

An explant-in-chip platform to study immune-cancer cell interactions and enhance tumour immunogenicity ex vivo: a focus on radiotherapy Professor Darryl Overby (Imperial)

Deciphering the metabolic determinants of bone metastasis in breast cancer Dr George Poulogiannis

Composition and function of telomeric multi-protein complexes and their regulation by ADP-ribosylation Dr Sebastian Guettler

Dissecting the prostate cancer-stromal interface Prof Johann de Bono

Can artificial intelligence predict outcome in patients receiving stereotactic radiosurgery of brain metastasis? Dr Matthew Blackledge

Single-cell transcriptomics linked to lineage tracing to interrogate the role of “plasticity first” as a positive force driving paediatric cancer evolution Dr Alejandra Bruna

Exploring strategies for targeting oncogenic beta-catenin Dr Paul Clarke

Examining the mechanism of chromatin replication and assembly at telomeres Dr Max Douglas

Generation of mouse models to identify and characterize novel therapeutic targets in chemo refractory AML disease Professor Kristian Helin

Developing innovative chemical tools to drive lytic cancer cell death Prof Swen Hoelder

PET imaging to monitor immune cell fitness post-targeted treatment in GBM Dr Gabriela Kramer-Marek

Understanding PolØ and ATR inhibitor sensitivity in cancer Prof Chris Lord

Harnessing immunogenic cell death mechanisms to trigger anti tumour immunity Prof Pascal Meier

Identifying small molecules that bind to the E3-ligase Cbl-b Dr Gary Newton

Understanding myeloma cell – microenvironment interactions and their role in immunomodulatory drug resistance Dr Charlotte Pawlyn

Using lattice light sheet microscopy to determine how the Spindle Assembly Checkpoint turns off Prof Jon Pines

Advanced multiparametric MRI for the characterisation of soft tissue sarcoma and response to neoadjuvant therapy Dr Simon Robinson

Applying for a PhD

Why study at the ICR?

Resolving the isoform-specific signalling of RSK1 and RSK4 in non-small cell lung cancer through combined artificial intelligence and molecular biology
Dr Anna Barnard

Resolving the isoform-specific signalling of RSK1 and RSK4 in non-small cell lung cancer through combined artificial intelligence and molecular biology
Dr Olivier Pardo

Fluorescent nanoparticle arrays for label-free monitoring of immunotherapy for bladder cancer
Dr Anna Wilkins

Machine and deep learning for improving photoacoustic imaging for CAR T-cell cancer therapy
Professor Jeff Bamber (ICR)/Lucia Florescu (Surrey)

Investigating the functions of histone acetylation in genome organization and leukemogenesis
Dr Alex Radzisheuskaya

Exploiting intercellular interactions to overcome prostate cancer cell states cooperation and plasticity
Dr Marco Bezzi

Comprehensive multi-omic analyses of “islands of resistance” tumour cells to identify aromatase inhibitor resistant subclones in oestrogen receptor positive breast cancer
Dr Maggie Cheang

Targeting cancer cell dependency on RNA-binding proteins
Dr Paul Clarke

Understanding the mechanisms underpinning therapeutic vulnerability of SWI/SNF deficient cancers
Professor Jessica Downs

Computational genomics and epigenomics to understand metastasis
Professor Trevor Graham

In situ analysis of the TCR repertoire in colorectal cancer
Professor Trevor Graham

Structural and functional studies of the regulation of mRNA splicing by cyclin-dependent kinases
Dr Basil Greber

Development of tankyrase-directed PROTACs as novel scaffolding inhibitors
Professor Sebastian Guettler

Tracking immune cell migration in tumour and normal tissues after combined radiation-drug therapy in Kaede mice
Professor Kevin Harrington

Developing new therapeutic strategies for ALT positive sarcomas
Dr Paul Huang

Integrative spatial proteomic analysis of tumour microenvironment response to therapy in sarcomas
Dr Paul Huang

Modelling and targeting the effects of EGFR on diffusely infiltrating paediatric high-grade gliomas or midline and cerebral regions
Professor Chris Jones/Dr Julia Cockle

Identifying molecular pathways of drug resistance in multiple myeloma
Dr Martin Kaiser

Exploring the differences in the structural characterisation of inhibitor binding between cryo- and room-temperature using multicrystal X-ray crystallography
Dr Rob van Montfort

Evaluation of sub-clonal alterations mediating response and resistance to CDK7 inhibition in therapy resistant triple negative breast cancer
Dr Rachael Natrajan

Identifying therapeutical opportunities within replicative stress response pathways for the development of novel therapeutic strategies to treat cancer
Professor Wojciech Nidzwiedz

Structural investigation of spliceosomes hijacked by oncolytic viruses
Professor Vlad Pena

Innate-immune drivers of cell fate during genotoxic stress
Dr Christian Zierhut

Targeting RNA helicases to suppress aberrant androgen receptor expression and abrogate persistent androgen receptor signalling in lethal prostate cancer
Dr Adam Sharp

Development of a patient model for real-time MRI guided radiotherapy of pancreas and liver cancer
Professor Uwe Oelfke

Charting colorectal cancer interactomes at structural resolution using chemical crosslinking and mass spectrometry
Professor Jyoti Choudhary

Development of novel dual-target agents to treat neuroblastoma that combine selective protein degradation with synergistic inhibition
Professor Hector Keun (Imperial)

Unravelling the role of cancer associated fibroblasts in cancer evolution and drug resistance using microfluidics
Professor Udai Banerji

An explant-in-chip platform to study immune-cancer cell interactions and enhance tumour immunogenicity ex vivo: a focus on radiotherapy
Professor Darryl Overby (Imperial)

Deciphering the metabolic determinants of bone metastasis in breast cancer
Dr George Poulogiannis

Composition and function of telomeric multi-protein complexes and their regulation by ADP-ribosylation
Dr Sebastian Guettler

Dissecting the prostate cancer-stromal interface
Prof Johann de Bono

Can artificial intelligence predict outcome in patients receiving stereotactic radiosurgery of brain metastasis?
Dr Matthew Blackledge

Single-cell transcriptomics linked to lineage tracing to interrogate the role of “plasticity first” as a positive force driving paediatric cancer evolution
Dr Alejandra Bruna

Exploring strategies for targeting oncogenic beta-catenin
Dr Paul Clarke

Examining the mechanism of chromatin replication and assembly at telomeres
Dr Max Douglas

Generation of mouse models to identify and characterize novel therapeutic targets in chemo refractory AML disease
Professor Kristian Helin

Developing innovative chemical tools to drive lytic cancer cell death
Prof Swen Hoelder

PET imaging to monitor immune cell fitness post-targeted treatment in GBM
Dr Gabriela Kramer-Marek

Understanding PolØ and ATR inhibitor sensitivity in cancer
Prof Chris Lord

Harnessing immunogenic cell death mechanisms to trigger anti tumour immunity
Prof Pascal Meier

Identifying small molecules that bind to the E3-ligase Cbl-b
Dr Gary Newton

Understanding myeloma cell – microenvironment interactions and their role in immunomodulatory drug resistance
Dr Charlotte Pawlyn

Using lattice light sheet microscopy to determine how the Spindle Assembly Checkpoint turns off
Prof Jon Pines

Advanced multiparametric MRI for the characterisation of soft tissue sarcoma and response to neoadjuvant therapy
Dr Simon Robinson

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