Supervisory Team

Dr. John Campbell (University of Bath)

Dr. James Turner (University of Bath)

Dr. Sally Moore (Royal United Hospital)

Summary of Project

In recent years, it has become clear that physical activity and other lifestyle factors such as body composition can influence the success of cancer treatment outcomes. However, the majority of our understanding is restricted to common cancers like breast and prostate cancer. The effectiveness of therapy against multiple myeloma – a form of blood cancer – varies between patients and long-term chance of survival is highly variable. This interdisciplinary project will examine whether interventions, such as undertaking regular exercise, influence treatment outcomes in multiple myeloma patients. Specifically, the project will assess the interplay between exercise, immunity, and tumour activity in people with multiple myeloma and related blood cancers. In addition, we will examine if other lifestyle factors predict how successful therapy is (e.g. body composition). Understanding the relationship between these risk factors and cancer is needed to better prescribe healthy living guidelines for patients, and to identify new disease pathways to help prevent and treat cancer.

The Research Project

If successful, you will undertake a systematic programme of research that will examine relationships between physical activity, body composition and other lifestyle factors in multiple myeloma.

To achieve this aim, you will conduct cross-sectional, longitudinal and/or intervention studies which incorporate immunology, oncology, physiology, and biochemical measurements.

You will gain expertise in a number of cutting-edge biochemical and immunological techniques, including multi-parameter flow cytometry, and will emerge with experience in the diagnosis and monitoring of blood cancers.

In addition to gaining a repertoire of contemporary and advanced skills important for an academic or industrial career in science, you will start to establish a track record in a research area that will remain a worldwide priority for the foreseeable future.

Application Criteria

Applicants for a studentship must have obtained, or be about to obtain, as a minimum, a First or Upper Second Class UK Honours degree, or the equivalent qualifications gained outside the UK, in an area appropriate to the skills requirements of the project.

Interviews

Shortlisted candidates are likely to be interviewed at the end of January 2019. The successful candidate will be expected to commence their studies on 1^st April 2019.

Funding

This studentship is funded 50:50 by the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences at the University of Bath and the Royal United Hospitals Bath NHS Foundation Trust.

Please note, Overseas applicants may apply but will be required to fund the difference between the Home/EU and Overseas tuition fee rate.

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