PhD Studentship: How common variations in our DNA affect cancer risk

Funding for the Executive Dean’s PhD Studentship in How common variations in our DNA increase cancer risk: a potential role for alternative mRNA splicing

The Centre for Genome Engineering and Maintenance at Brunel University London is offering a fully funded PhD studentship to investigate how common variations in our DNA sequences regulate genes involved in bowel cancer. The project will be laboratory based with opportunities for bioinformatics investigation. It will focus on DNA variants associated with increased bowel cancer risk in the POLD3 and CHRDL2 genes. The aim is to test if the variants change splicing of these genes, and if different splice isoforms modify cancer pathways.

Based in and funded by the College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences, this studentship offers a full-time annual London rate stipend estimated at £20,551 plus Home/EU tuition fees, for a maximum of 36 months.

The Department of Life Sciences holds a Silver Athena SWAN Award and is committed to equality of opportunity and advancing women’s careers.

The start date will be 1 October 2023.

Overview

The PhD studentship will investigate the mechanistic effects of DNA variants in CHRDL2 and POLD3, and how they change gene expression to increase bowel cancer risk. The student will explore the balance of CHRDL2 and POLD3 splice variants in colorectal cancer cell-lines in the laboratory, and in publicly available patient data. They will use minigenes expressed in cancer cells to identify DNA variants that modify splicing and the ratio of splice isoforms. Functional roles of splice isoforms will be compared by measuring cancer hallmarks such as growth, migration, and mutation rate. The student will gain experience in 2D, 3D and organoid models, together with advanced molecular and cell biology techniques.

The successful candidate will be supervised by an expert interdisciplinary team of researchers who will provide full training for the research.

For informal discussions, please contact Dr Annabelle Lewis (annabelle.lewis@brunel.ac.uk)

Eligibility

Candidates should have an undergraduate degree (first or upper second class) or equivalent qualification in Biosciences. A Masters qualification in a relevant area would be desirable. Experience in laboratory skills, particularly molecular biology and cell culture, would be desirable, as would initial training in bioinformatics. However, full training will be provided for all necessary techniques. Applicants who have not been awarded a degree by a University in the UK will be expected to demonstrate English language skills to IELTS 7.0 (minimum 6.5 in any section).

How to Apply

If you wish to apply, please e-mail the following to chmls-pgr-officestaff@brunel.ac.uk by 7 June 2023.

• An up-to-date CV.
• A single-page A4 single-spaced personal statement describing why you are a suitable candidate (i.e. outlining your qualifications and skills).
• One example of your academic writing (e.g. an essay, a section from a dissertation).
• A summary of your teaching experience or your willingness to support teaching activities.
• Names and contact details for two academic referees.
• A copy of your highest degree certificate and transcript.
• A copy of your English language qualification, where applicable.

Short-listed applicants will be required to attend an interview week commencing 3^rd July 2023.

For further information about how to apply, please contact the College of Health, Medicine and Life Sciences Postgraduate Programmes Office on chmls-pgr-officestaff@brunel.ac.uk. 

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