PhD Studentship: Cancer Immunometabolism: The Role of Lipid Metabolism in Regulating the Immune Tumour Microenvironment of Glioblastoma

Glioblastoma (GBM) is an aggressive brain cancer with poor survival and limited treatment options. A major barrier to effective therapy is the immunosuppressive tumour microenvironment, which can restrict anti-tumour immunity and contribute to resistance to immune-checkpoint therapy. Nutrient availability is increasingly recognised as a determinant of immune cell fate and lipid metabolism is emerging as a key regulator of immune suppression in GBM, influencing lipid-laden macrophages and microglia, regulatory T-cell differentiation, cytotoxic T-cell exhaustion, and the wider balance between anti-tumour and pro-tumour immune states.  

Using established protocols for the isolation, culture and functional analysis of human immune cells, the student will develop patient-derived GBM immune co-culture models to investigate how lipid metabolism regulates the immune tumour microenvironment. 

The project will examine how lipid availability and lipid-metabolic pathways influence key immune populations in GBM, including regulatory T cells, cytotoxic CD8+ T cells, CD4+ T-cell subsets, glioma-associated macrophage/microglia-like cells, and other immune cells. Particular focus will be placed on how lipid metabolism affects immune-cell differentiation, suppressive function, inflammatory signalling, exhaustion and anti-tumour activity. 

This will help determine whether lipid metabolism can be targeted to reduce immune suppression and restore anti-tumour immune function in GBM. 

The project would suit a motivated student with experience or interest in cancer immunology and immunometabolism biology. Experience in primary immune-cell culture, flow cytometry, or lipidomics & mass spectrometry would be particularly advantageous, although full training will be provided.

*In exceptional circumstances, and subject to the discretion of the University and/or the relevant funding body, a deferral of offer may be granted to the next available enrolment period. Such deferral will typically not exceed a duration of three calendar months from the originally stipulated commencement date. Please note that only one deferral may be considered, and any such deferral is not guaranteed.  

Applications may be submitted in Welsh and any application submitted in Welsh will be treated no less favourably than an application submitted in English. Please refer to the University’s Welsh Language Policy on Awarding Grants.

Funding Details

This scholarship covers the full cost of tuition fees and an annual stipend at UKRI rate (currently £21,805 for 2026/27).

Additional research expenses of up to £1,000 per year will also be available.

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