Multimodal analysis of the locoregional immune response to improve management and outcomes in patients with oesophagogastric cancer
Closing date: 15/11/2024
Leeds-Manchester Clinical Research Training Fellowship Project: Multimodal analysis of the locoregional immune response to improve management and outcomes in patients with oesophagogastric cancer
Lead Supervisors: Prof. Heike I. Grabsch
Co-Supervisors: Dr Nick West, Dr Derek Magee, Prof. Peter Gardner, Dr Anshuman Chaturvedi
Applications Deadline: Friday 15th November 2024
Interviews: Friday 17th January 2025
Clinical Research Training Fellowship start date: September 2025
Project Keywords: Lymph node histological microarchitecture; Infrared spectroscopy cell typing; Multiplex fluorescent immunohistochemistry
Research Opportunity: Clinical Research Training Fellowship leading to the award of PhD
Project Outline
This studentship is based in Pathology and Data Analytics, St James’s University Hospital, University of Leeds, with at least 6 months at the Dept of Chemical Engineering and Analytical Science, University of Manchester and up to two months at the Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, A*STAR Singapore. Supervision is provided by Prof Grabsch (Leeds), Prof Gardner (Manchester), Dr Joe Yeong (Singapore) and colleagues.
The student will characterise the immune response in tumour draining lymph nodes from patients with oesophageal or gastric cancer (OeGC) and take advantage of our unique collection of materials and data from >2,800 OeGC patients across three phase III clinical trials with >53,000 histology slides scanned ready for in-house development of new AI algorithms. The student will learn how state-of-the-art Fourier-transform infrared (FT-IR) spectroscopy can be used for unbiased cell identification and validated by multiplex immunofluorescence and related technology. Clinical Histopathology experience is required by the candidate.
Aims:
(1) To improve understanding of immune response in tumour draining lymph nodes including its relationship with the immune response in primary tumour.
(2) Identification of subtypes of cells driving the lymph node immune response and effect of neoadjuvant chemotherapy.
(3) Investigate the clinical and biological importance of FT-IR spectroscopy identified cell populations using multiplex immunofluorescent technology in a large cohort of OeGC patients from clinical trials with mature outcome data.
Impact: Discovery of potential new therapy targets which are urgently needed in patients with oesophagogastric cancer to improve patient survival including quality of life.
All three laboratories have excellent facilities and supervisors are leaders in their field. The student would join a successful clinical PhD programme within Leeds, the largest academic Pathology training programme in the UK.
Applications for this project are now open. Please complete your application on The University of Leeds website.
About Professor Heike I. Grabsch (project Lead Supervisor)
Heike Grabsch is a professor in gastrointestinal pathology. Her translational research focuses on biomarker identification in gastrointestinal cancers. Heike has a wealth of experience in supervising undergraduate students, PhD students, and histopathology trainees in the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, and Austria. Herresearch and diagnostic work resulted in many peer-reviewed publications in high impact factor journals as well as several book chapters including one in the latest WHO classification of digestive diseases. Heike is regularly invited as speaker, chair or member of the scientific committee at national and international conferences.She has a large collaborative network locally, nationally and internationally.
Key information
Before submitting an application, please ensure you have read the information below about the funding arrangements and eligibility for the Leeds-Manchester Clinical Research Training Fellowships.
We also encourage you to get in contact with the lead supervisor to discuss the project and any particulars.
Further information is available on the Clinical Research Training Fellowships webpage.
The clinical fellowships are usually tenable for three years, although in certain circumstances they may be four years duration.
The Fellowship covers:
- running expenses,
- an appropriate salary in line with the applicant’s current salary and grade
- full coverage of University PhD fees at the UK/home fee rate.
International Candidates
The University of Manchester aims to support the most outstanding applicants from outside the UK.
We are able to offer a limited number of bursaries to high-performing EU and international candidates, covering PhD fees only. Bursaries do not include financial support for visa/health surcharges.
We assess each EU and international candidate’s suitability for a bursary at the application and interview stages.
You must be a post-registration clinician, and ideally have a specialist post in a related subject, to apply for our Clinical Research Training Fellowships.
You should also hold, or be about to obtain, a minimum upper second class (or equivalent) undergraduate degree in a relevant subject. A related master’s degree would be an advantage.
It is generally expected that CRTFs will return to a training programme in the UK upon completion of their research degree.
International applicants (including EU nationals) must ensure they meet the academic eligibility criteria (including English Language) before contacting potential supervisors to express an interest in their project. Eligibility information can be found on the University’s Country Specific information page.
Key dates
- Applications open: 11th October 2024
- Application deadline: 15th November 2024
- Interviews: 17th January 2025
- Start date: September 2025
Useful Links
Submit your application
Interested in applying for this opportunity? Go to The University of Manchester website to submit your application.
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