PhD opportunity in Cancer Dynamics group

Now open for applications – close 28 November 2025 at 1700 hrs

"Engineering and Targeting Recurrent Aneuploidy in Cancer using a novel method"

We are pleased to announce this exciting postgraduate opportunity within the Cancer Dynamics research group for intake in October 2026!

We welcome applications from enthusiastic and ambitious candidates with a strong academic track record to our PhD programme. Applicants should hold or expect to graduate with a First or minimum upper-second class undergraduate honours degree (or equivalent from a non-UK university) in a relevant subject and Masters-level and/or other laboratory research experience in cancer. Laboratory research experience as part of, or outside of, a university degree course or a Master-level degree in a relevant subject is advantageous but is not a conditional requirement in making an application.

Applications close on 28 November 2025 at 17:00 hrs

Photograph of Professor Samra Turajlić
Representative MIF images of TRACERx Renal tumor samples with high wGII

PhD project details

The Cancer Dynamics group spans basic, translational and clinical science and study both tumour initiation and progression in the context of renal cell cancer and melanoma. They combine deep phenotyping of patient samples, mathematical simulations, per-clinical modelling (including IPSC, organoids and genome engineering, as well as patient-derived tissue fragments).

The supervisor will fit the exact project to best suit the candidate and their interest and aptitude and both wet lab and dry lab projects are feasible.

Samra Turajlić

Samra is the Director of Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, a Consultant Medical Oncologist at the Christie and also leads the Cancer Dynamics research group. They apply evolutionary principles to predict the trajectory of individual cancers by studying the forces that shape cancer evolution with the aim of using this knowledge to improve patient outcomes.

Cancer Dynamics

Cancer Dynamics are a multi-disciplinary group of cancer geneticists, computational biologists and clinician scientists who use methods from evolutionary biology to understand the variable natural history of individual cancers, and most critically the emergence of metastases and drug resistance.

They focus on two cancers, renal cell carcinoma (RCC), which is the most common type of kidney tumour, and melanoma, the most aggressive type of skin cancer.

Being a student at the CRUK Manchester Institute

Here at the CRUK Manchester Institute, our postgraduate students enjoy a supportive environment, while having the opportunity to sink their teeth into a challenging project alongside receiving tailored training in transferable and generic skills.

This vital combination of training and support helps our students develop as independent scientists with excellent career prospects.

PhD project details
Samra Turajlić
Cancer Dynamics
Being a student at the CRUK Manchester Institute

Key objectives

  • Model Establishment – Establish normal kidney and ccRCC organoids from fresh surgical specimens
  • Genetic Engineering – Generate isogenic aneuploidy organoid models using CRISPRt and other genetic engineering techniques
  • Characterisation – Apply multiomics profiling and functional assays to characterise the pro-tumour roles of chromosome 3(p), 9(p) and 14(q) loss
  • Co-culture establishment with immune cells to investigate the role of cGAS/STING signalling and immunosuppression in metastases
  • Therapeutic Development – Rational design and validate novel therapeutic based on the characterisation data and perform CRISPR or drug screens to identify additional therapeutic vulnerabilities and synthetic lethal interactions.

Ready to apply?

To apply for this studentship please complete the online application through our secure PhD Student Recruitment portal, which you can access by clicking the “Apply Now” button.

All applications will be considered equally irrespective of ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, gender, religion/belief, age and nationality. To help the CRUK Manchester Institute monitor equality, diversity and inclusion, you will be asked to complete and submit an EDI monitoring form during the application process. Equal opportunities information will not be shared and will not form any part of the selection process or divulged to members of the selecting, recruiting or interview panels.

Please ensure you submit your application before 1700 hrs (BST) on the closing date.

Closing date: 28 November 2025

Informal enquiries

Why choose Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute?

The Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, an Institute of The University of Manchester, is a world-leading centre for excellence in cancer research. The Institute is core funded by Cancer Research UK (www.cancerresearchuk.org),
the largest independent cancer research organisation in the world.

We are partnered with The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, one of the largest cancer treatment centres in Europe, which is located adjacent to the CRUK MI Manchester Institute in South Manchester. These factors combine to provide an exceptional environment in which to pursue basic, translational and clinical research programmes.