PhD Studentship: Exploring the Role of Complex Repetitive Genomic Aberrations, and Their Potential for Therapeutic Opportunities in Childhood Cancers

Award summary: 4 year PhD studentship covers home fees and UKRI rate stipend (£21,805 for 26/27) 

Overview

Childhood cancers are genetically and clinically heterogeneous, continue to confer significant morbidity and are the leading cause of childhood mortality in the UK. Some cancers (such as leukemia) have seen drastic improvements in survival, driven by our understanding of the genomic aberrations that underpin these diseases. This includes rearrangements in highly complex and repetitive regions of the genome, such as those seen in DUX4-rearranged leukaemia.  

Other cancers (such as paediatric CNS tumours or solid tumours) continue to confer a poor outcome but are known to also harbour clinically significant complex genomic rearrangements in repetitive regions of the genome. Furthermore, many complex genomic abnormalities (e.g. isochromosomes) are observed within multiple cancer types, but prognostically are thought to play different roles across different cancers.  

The application of long-read sequencing technologies (such as nanopore sequencing) has enabled the discovery and analysis of complex regions of the genome for the first time. Novel long read sequencing approaches developed in the Ryan Group have been used to identify complex repetitive genomic alterations in approximately 400 patient samples across 10 distinct cancer types. This PhD project will elucidate the prevalence and functional relevance of key complex genomic aberrations in challenging regions of the genome in childhood cancer.  

Specifically, the PhD studentship will develop and utilise long-read sequencing approaches to detect and characterise novel genomic aberrations in up to 1000 paediatric cancer samples. Transcriptome sequencing, proteomic and metabolomic assays will help to understand the behaviour and consequence of the genomic aberration in a cellular context. This project will equip the student with a broad range of laboratory and bioinformatic skills relevant to cancer genomics.  

Number of awards: 1

Start date: September 2026   

Award duration: 4 years

Sponsor: Newcastle University (NU Futures Fund)  

Supervisors: Dr Sarra Ryan, Dr Thomas Nicholls, Dr Robbie Bain

Eligibility criteria:

A 2:1 honours degree, or international equivalent, in a relevant subject. A Masters with strong research training element would be highly advantageous.  

If your first language is not English you need an overall IELTS score of 6.5 (at least 5.5 in all sub-skills) or equivalent language qualification. 

International applicants may require an ATAS (Academic Technology Approval Scheme) clearance certificate prior to obtaining their visa and to study on this programme. 

How to apply

 You must apply through the University’s Apply to Newcastle Portal  

In ‘Course choice’ tab, put ‘Postgraduate Research’ in 'Type of Study', ‘Full Time’ in ‘Mode of Study’, ‘2026’ in ‘Year of Entry’, code ‘8440F’ in ‘Course Title’, blank in ‘Research Area’. Press ‘Search’, select ‘PhD Translational and Clinical Research (FT)’, and save selection.  

Either upload a document or write into ‘Personal Statement’. Put code ‘TC127’ in ‘Studentship/Partnership Reference’. When prompted for research proposal, select ‘Write Proposal’. Type in the title of the research project from this advert. A research proposal is not required. You can also upload a covering letter and CV, please state how your interests and experience relate to the project.

You must submit one application per studentship, you cannot apply for multiple studentships on one application.

Contact Details: sarra.ryan@newcastle.ac.uk

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