Sculpting the immune tumour microenvironment in vitro at University of Plymouth

Project Title: Sculpting the immune tumour microenvironment in vitro

Director of Studies: Professor Simon Whawell, Peninsula Dental School (simon.whawell@plymouth.ac.uk)

2^nd Supervisor: Dr Andy Foey, School of Biomedical Science (andrew.foey@plymouth.ac.uk)

Applications are invited for a three-year PhD studentship. The studentship will start on 1^st October 2023

Project Description

The overall hypothesis of the proposed study is that there is a bi-directional relationship between macrophages and oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) cells promoting tumourigenesis that can be modelled in vitro. We propose that the presence of M2 like macrophages in a reconstituted tumour microenvironment can influence the invasive behaviour of OSCC cell lines and invasive OSCC cells influence the phenotype of macrophages.

Eligibility

Applicants should have a first or upper second class honours degree in an appropriate subject or a relevant Masters qualification. If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum English requirements for the programme, academic IELTS score of 6.5 (with no less than 6.0 in each component test area) or equivalent.

The studentship is supported for 3 years and includes full Home tuition fees plus a stipend of £17,668 per annum (2022/23 rate).  The studentship will only fully fund those applicants who are eligible for Home fees with relevant qualifications.  Applicants normally required to cover International fees will have to cover the difference between the Home and the International tuition fee rates (approximately £12,697 per annum 2022/23 rate). The studentship is supported for three years of the four-year registration period. The fourth year is a self-funded ‘writing-up’ year.

If you wish to discuss this project further informally, please contact the Director of Studies, Professor Simon Whawell (simon.whawell@plymouth.ac.uk)

To apply for this position please click ‘Apply’ above.

Please clearly state the name of the DoS and studentship title that you are applying for on the top of your personal statement.

Please see here for a list of supporting documents to upload with your application.

For more information on the admissions process generally, please visit our How to Apply for a Research Degree webpage or contact the Doctoral College.

The closing date for applications is 12 noon on 30^th June 2023. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview shortly after the deadline. We regret that we may not be able to respond to all applications.  Applicants who have not received a response within six weeks of the closing date should consider their application has been unsuccessful on this occasion.