PhD opportunity in Small Cell Lung Cancer Biology group

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

"Role of the metastatic niche in organ-specific SCLC metastasis"

We are pleased to announce this exciting postgraduate opportunity within the Small Cell Lung Cancer Biology 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

Caroline Dive Director & Senior Group Leader

PhD project details

Small Cell Lung Cancer, one of the most metastatic of all cancers, is an incurable neuroendocrine (NE) carcinoma. More than 80% of patients are diagnosed with oligo-metastatic disease and effective therapies to limit and target metastases are urgently needed. In collaboration with the Ilaria Malanchi (Tumour-Host Interaction Lab, Francis Crick Institute), this project aims to address a fundamental aspect of metastasis biology in SCLC.

Caroline Dive

Caroline is Director of the aligned CRUK National Biomarker Centre, with research spanning tumour biology, preclinical pharmacology, biomarker discovery, biomarker assay validation and clinical qualification to regulatory standards, bioinformatics, biostatistics and most recently, digital clinical trials. Caroline is also a Senior Group Leader, jointly running the Small Cell Lung Cancer Biology group with Kathryn Simpson at the CRUK Manchester Institute.

Small Cell Lung Cancer Biology

Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) comprises ~15% of lung cancers and is an aggressive neuroendocrine malignancy with poor overall survival. High circulating tumour cell (CTC) burden contributes to early, extensive and frequent oligometastatic disease.

To improve outcomes for patients with SCLC, our current goals are to uncover and exploit mechanisms of acquired chemoresistance, to better understand molecular mechanisms of metastasis to liver and to brain and to determine whether and how vasculogenic mimicry contributes to disease progression and metastasis.

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
Caroline Dive
Small Cell Lung Cancer Biology
Being a student at the CRUK Manchester Institute

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.