PhD Studentship in Cancer Immunology: Hypoxia-Driven Fibroblast Reprogramming in Immunotherapy Resistant Liver Cancer

Award Summary

Studentship covers home fees and UKRI rate stipend (£22,500 for 26/27)

Overview

Primary liver cancer is one of the fastest rising causes of cancer-related mortality worldwide. Although immunotherapy has transformed cancer treatment, only a minority of patients with hepatocellular carcinoma respond. Increasing evidence suggests the tumour microenvironment, particularly stromal and immune cells, plays a critical role in determining treatment response.

A key feature of many solid tumours is hypoxia, a state of low oxygen caused by abnormal vasculature and rapid tumour growth. Hypoxia can reprogramme stromal cells, including cancer-associated fibroblasts (CAFs), enabling them to suppress anti-tumour immunity and promote therapy resistance.

This PhD project will investigate how hypoxia regulates fibroblast identity and function within liver tumours and how these cells shape anti-tumour immune responses. The student will use in vivo cancer models, spatial tissue analysis and immunological profiling to understand how hypoxic niches control stromal–immune interactions and influence immunotherapy outcomes.

The student will receive training in experimental approaches commonly used in tumour microenvironment research, including:

• pre-clinical mouse models of cancer
• multi-parameter flow cytometry and immune phenotyping
• histology, immunofluorescence and spatial tissue profiling
• cell culture and molecular analysis of stromal and immune cells
• analysis and interpretation of complex biological datasets.

These approaches span key areas including cancer immunology, tumour microenvironment biology, stromal cell biology, spatial profiling technologies and translational cancer research.

Previous experience with some of these techniques would be advantageous but is not essential, as full training will be provided. We seek a motivated student with a strong interest in cancer biology, immunology or tumour microenvironment research.

The successful candidate will join the Newcastle Fibrosis Research Group within the Newcastle University Centre for Cancer, a collaborative research environment with access to state-of-the-art experimental facilities.

Number Of Awards

1

Start Date

21st September 2026

Award Duration

4 years

Application Closing Date

13th April 2026

Sponsor

Cancer Research UK - Newcastle University

Supervisors

Dr Jack Leslie

Dr Brian Ortmann

Dr Ute Jungwirth

Newcastle University

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 Application Portal: https://applyto.newcastle.ac.uk/ 

In ‘Course choice’ tab:

Type of Study - ‘Postgraduate Research’

Mode of Study - ‘Full Time’

Year of Entry - ‘2026’

Course code ‘8420F’

Research Area – Leave Blank

Press ‘Search’

Select ‘PhD Biosciences (FT)’ and save selection. 

Upload:

A document or write into ‘Personal Statement’. Put code ‘BI100’ in ‘Studentship Reference’.  

When prompted for a research proposal, select ‘Write Proposal’. Type in the title of the research project from this advert. A research proposal is not required. 

A covering letter & CV, stating how your interests and experience relate to the project. 

Degree transcripts/certificates and, if English is not your first language, a copy of your English language qualification if completed must be uploaded.

Contact Details

Dr Jack Leslie - Jack.leslie@ncl.ac.uk

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