PhD Studentship: Systems pathology of the breast tumour microenvironment in obesity

PhD studentship: Systems pathology of the breast tumour microenvironment in obesity.

Supervisor: Dr H Raza Ali

Department/location: Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute

Deadline: 17 August 2025.

Course start date: April 2026

Overview

Dr Raza Ali wishes to recruit a student to work on the project entitled: “Systems pathology of the breast tumour microenvironment in obesity”.

For further information about the research group, including their most recent publications, please visit their website at www.ali-lab.co.uk

If you are interested in finding out more about our groundbreaking scientific research, please visit our website at https://www.cruk.cam.ac.uk/

Project details

Being overweight is a known risk factor for developing breast cancer, and obese patients experience poorer outcomes. But the biological basis of these associations remains poorly understood. Past efforts have investigated the link between obesity and the primary tumour, but these analyses relied on data derived from bulk tissue samples lacking cellular and spatial resolution. The hypothesis underpinning this project is that obesity alters the cellular content, activation state and, critically, the spatial architecture of the tumour microenvironment in breast cancer. To test this idea we must characterise thousands of tumours with single-cell and spatial resolution, associated with data on patient height and weight. Using our expertise in single-cell spatial analysis and collaborations with leading epidemiologists, we have collated unique data resources that will enable us to characterise the link between obesity and the breast tumour microenvironment at unprecedented resolution. Moreover, we will also explore the role of exercise in modifying the microenvironment of normal breast tissue in an exercise trial. This is a remarkable opportunity for a motivated scientist to unpick the impact of host factors on tumour structure.

To lead this research as a doctoral student you will be passionate about using large-scale data to address important questions in cancer research, have extensive experience of quantitative analyses, and be a positive contributor to our focussed team.  Individuals with experience of epidemiology are especially encouraged to apply.

References/further reading

Spatial predictors of immunotherapy response in triple-negative breast cancer. Wang XQ et al. Nature. 2023. doi.org/10.1038/s41586-023-06498-3

Breast tumor microenvironment structures are associated with genomic features and clinical outcome. Danenberg E et al. Nat Genet. 2022 May;54(5):660-669. doi: 10.1038/s41588-022-01041-y

Imaging mass cytometry and multiplatform genomics define the phenogenomic landscape of breast cancer. Ali HR et al. Nat Cancer. 2020 Feb;1(2):163-175. doi: 10.1038/s43018-020-0026-6.

Preferred skills/knowledge

Interest in breast cancer research.

BSc degree in Biology, Biomedicine or a relevant discipline (Biochemistry, Neuroscience)

MSc degree (or equivalent) in Epidemiology, Biostatistics, Data Science or related discipline.

Strong quantitative analysis skills and experience developing algorithms and/or conducting statistical analyses with biological datasets.

Background and work knowledge in statistics, algorithms, optimization of novel or existing tools into an effective pipeline.

Highly collaborative, good communicator, able to find solutions to problems, to work effectively as part of a team.

Creative thinker, able to contribute intellectually to other projects developed in the Laboratory.

Excellent oral and written English.

Funding

This four-year studentship will cover University fees and an index-linked stipend starting at £22,113.

Eligibility

We welcome applications from both UK and overseas students.

Applications are invited from graduates or final-year undergraduates who hold or expect to meet the University’s minimum academic requirement.

How to apply

Please apply via the apply button above.

You should select to commence study in April 2026.

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