The Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute (CRUK MI), affiliated with The University of Manchester, is inviting applications from ambitious and high-achieving candidates for a fully funded PhD studentship within the Skin Cancer and Ageing research group. The project, titled “Aged immune failure and reversal”, is scheduled for intake in October 2027 and aims to investigate the intersections of ageing, lipid metabolism, and antitumour immunity.
Overview Table
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Position / Designation | PhD Studentship / Postgraduate Research Student |
| Project Title | Aged immune failure and reversal |
| Research Group | Skin Cancer and Ageing Group |
| Lead Supervisor | Prof Amaya Virós (Co-supervisor: Dr Jonathan Worboys) |
| Host Institution | Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester |
| Location | Manchester, United Kingdom |
| Intake Date | October 2027 |
| Application Deadline | 6th November 2026 at 17:00 GMT |
Designation
Postgraduate PhD Researcher / PhD Studentship
Research Area
This studentship operates at the interface of Cancer Biology, Immunology, Lipidomics, and Ageing. Specific research focus areas include:
- Melanoma progression, invasion, and metastatic organ tropism.
- How host ageing modifies systemic and tissue-specific lipid composition.
- Lipid-mediated regulation of plasma membrane nanodomains, receptor clustering, and T cell signaling thresholds.
- Tumour immunosurveillance and strategies to reverse aged immune dysfunction in vivo.
Location
Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, The University of Manchester, Wilmslow Road, Manchester, M20 4BX, United Kingdom.
Eligibility and Qualifications
Applicants must meet the following academic and technical criteria:
- Academic Degree: Hold or expect to graduate with a First or minimum Upper Second-Class (2:1) undergraduate honours degree (or international equivalent) in a relevant biological, biomedical, or life sciences subject.
- Experience: A Master-level degree and/or relevant laboratory research experience in cancer biology, immunology, or biochemistry is highly advantageous. Prior hands-on experience gained inside or outside a degree program strengthens the application.
- Skills & Attributes: High academic standing, critical thinking capabilities, strong motivation for cancer research, and the commitment to work in a collaborative multidisciplinary scientific team.
Scholarship Description
The successful applicant will join the world-renowned Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, core-funded by Cancer Research UK—the world’s largest independent cancer research organisation—and partnered closely with The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, one of Europe’s largest cancer treatment centres.
Project Summary: Aged Immune Failure and Reversal
Organ-specific lipid milieus significantly dictate cancer invasion, metastatic tropism, and host immune defences. Specific lipid classes coordinate plasma membrane organisation into functional nanodomains, driving critical receptor clustering and modulating cell signalling thresholds across immune lineages. As organisms age, extracellular lipid landscapes undergo substantial remodelling, which can severely compromise antitumour immune competence.
Key Objectives
- Lipidomic Mapping: Characterise and map how ageing remodels the systemic and organ lipidomes using advanced lipidomics, lipoprotein fractionation, and tissue-wide spatial super-resolution microscopy.
- Immune Signalling Interrogation: Determine how age-altered lipid species compromise T cell activation and wider innate/adaptive immune responses.
- Therapeutic Restoration: Apply targeted in vivo interventions to modify the host lipidome and evaluate whether restoring lipid equilibrium can rescue antitumour immunity and inhibit metastatic outgrowth.
The student will be co-supervised by Prof Amaya Virós (Group Leader and Honorary Consultant in Dermatology) and Dr Jonathan Worboys (Lydia Becker Institute of Immunology and Inflammation, University of Manchester). Alongside cutting-edge scientific training, students will access transferable skills development and comprehensive career mentorship.
How to Apply
Eligible candidates must apply through the official online recruitment system:
- Navigate to the Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute PhD recruitment portal.
- Create an account or log in to complete the electronic application form.
- Submit all requested documentation, including academic transcripts, curriculum vitae (CV), and referee details.
- Complete the mandatory Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) monitoring form (used strictly for anonymised monitoring purposes and not shared with interview panels).
Last Date for Apply
The deadline to submit your completed application is 6th November 2026 at 17:00 GMT.
Apply Link
Access the official application portal and submit your studentship documents here:
Apply Now at the CRUK Manchester Institute Portal
