Research Associate (Honorary Resident Doctor - Clinical PhD) [Fixed Term]

Clinical PhD Studentship: mTOR Signalling and Birt-Hogg-Dube Syndrome

We are seeking an outstanding Clinical PhD student (training grade CT2 to ST8) to join the Marciniak laboratory at the Cambridge Institute for Medical Research (CIMR), University of Cambridge. The studentship is ideally suited to clinicians with an interest in specialties relevant to Birt-Hogg-Dubé syndrome (BHD), including but not limited to respiratory medicine, clinical genetics, dermatology, urology, and oncology.

BHD is an inherited tumour-predisposition syndrome caused by pathogenic variants in the FLCN gene, leading to dysregulated mTOR signalling and multisystem disease. This PhD project will investigate how FLCN loss perturbs mTOR-dependent cellular homeostasis and identify pathways that may be therapeutically tractable. The project combines fundamental cell biology with translational relevance. The student will: develop and characterise reporter cell lines and organoid models of FLCN deficiency; perform chemical and genetic screens to identify mechanisms capable of restoring cellular homeostasis following FLCN inactivation; and integrate cell biological and genetic approaches to understand disease mechanisms in a rare disease context.

The student will be based in the Marciniak lab at CIMR and will also be a member of the LifeArc Rare Respiratory Disease Centre, a UK-wide initiative focused on driving innovation and accelerating patient benefit in rare lung diseases, including BHD. The Marciniak lab has extensive expertise in defining the molecular mechanisms underpinning rare disease through both cell biological investigation and genetic studies (e.g. Brzozowska et al. 2025 Nature Genetics PMID: 40065168; Yngvadottir et¿al. 2025 Thorax PMID: 40210444; Obacz et al. 2024 Eur Respir J PMID: 38212075; Chambers et¿al. 2022 Science Advances PMID: 35394846).

The group comprises clinicians and fundamental scientists and values rigorous, collaborative science aimed at meaningful patient benefit. Crucially, we believe that excellent science and translational impact are only sustainable within a healthy, inclusive, and supportive working environment. The Marciniak lab therefore places explicit emphasis on mutual respect, psychological safety, and good work-life practice, alongside a strong shared work ethic and high scientific standards.

Applicants must be medically qualified at the time of commencing the PhD. The start date is fixed as 1 September 2026 and the studentship is for 3 years. Informal enquiries are very welcome. Interested individuals are encouraged to contact Professor Stefan Marciniak directly for further information prior to formal application sjm20@cam.ac.uk

This appointment requires an Honorary Clinical Contract

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please click the 'Apply' button above. 

This is an integrated appointment between the University and Cambridge University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust ("NHS Trust"). You will therefore also be issued with an Honorary Clinical Contract by the NHS Trust. You should be aware that if your contract with the NHS Trust is terminated your employment with the University will be terminated, and vice versa.

Please ensure that you upload a covering letter, CV and a completed Additional Information for Clinical Researchers form in the Upload section of the online application. If you upload any additional documents which have not been requested, we will not be able to consider these as part of your application.

Please include details of your referees, including email address and phone number, one of which must be your most recent line manager.

The interview for the role is in May to be confirmed

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

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