PhD opportunity in Cancer Inflammation and Immunity group

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

“Characterising the Immune Response to Immunotherapy in Malignant and Healthy Tissue”

We are pleased to announce this exciting postgraduate opportunity within the Cancer Inflammation & Immunity 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 1700 hrs

Photo of Group Leader Santiago Zelanay

PhD project details

The Cancer Inflammation & Immunity group investigates the signals and pathways that dictate the establishment of tumour inflammatory environments which either promote or restrain the anti-tumour function of the immune system. Building on our previous findings uncovering pro-tumourigenic inflammatory mediators as major drivers of immune evasion, this project will investigate the signals that regulate the establishment of tumour inflammatory environments that either stimulate or hinder immune-mediated tumour control.

Santiago Zelenay

Santiago is a Senior Group Leader at the CRUK Manchester Institute where he heads the Cancer Inflammation and Immunity group. His lab focuses on understanding the underlying mechanisms that mediate cancer-inhibitory versus tumour-promoting inflammation in order to design new therapies for cancer patients.

Cancer Inflammation and Immunity

The Cancer Inflammation and Immunity group investigates the mechanisms underlying natural and therapy-induced tumour immunity. A special focus has been the identification of the instructive signals that, by regulating the balance between tumour-promoting and tumour-suppressive inflammation, favour immune escape and therapy resistance. Our overarching hypotheses are that the inflammatory landscape at the tumour bed is a key determinant of patient outcome, and that the pro-tumourigenic properties of classic cancer-related inflammation are largely ascribed to its inhibitory effects on the anti-cancer functions of the immune system.

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

PhD project details
Santiago Zelenay
Cancer Inflammation and Immunity
Being a student at the CRUK Manchester Institute

Key objectives

A central aim of the project is to evaluate the responses of malignant and healthy tissue to standard-of-care ICB and to combination treatments with anti-inflammatory drugs, with implications for therapeutic response and the prevention of adverse side effects.

We welcome applications from individuals with a strong academic track record and previous laboratory research experience.

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.