Closing date: 05 June, 2023

Keywords: cancer epidemiology, molecular epidemiology, omics data, cohorts

We are pleased to invite applications for a 3-year full-time PhD studentship in Cancer Epidemiology. This is a unique opportunity to join a new research unit, the Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention Research Unit (CEPRU), a joint venture between Imperial College London (ICL) and the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR). The research at CEPRU centres on discovering new causes of cancer through large-scale epidemiological studies as well as molecular and genetic approaches, and developing interventions to prevent cancer. The unit is comprised of epidemiologists and biostatisticians and coordinates large-scale prospective cohort studies such as the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) and the Generations cohort.

The studentship will be based in the Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Public Health at Imperial College London, supervised by Professor Marc Gunter and Dr Alicia Heath, with co-supervision from CEPRU colleagues at ICR, Professors Montse Garcia-Closas and Amy Berrington.

We closely collaborate with other departments across Imperial College London and ICR, as well as with research and public health institutions within the UK and internationally.

About the project

We are seeking an outstanding candidate to undertake a PhD project in one of the following areas:

• Molecular epidemiology of colorectal cancer analysing proteomic, metabolomic and genomic data derived from large-scale prospective cohort studies such as the European Prospective Investigation into Cancer and Nutrition (EPIC) and UK Biobank
• Exploring temporal changes in exposure to cancer risk factors (body size, diet, lifestyle) and their impact on cancer risk in the EPIC and Generations Study cohorts
• Studies of proteomics in large-scale prospective cohorts and risk and early detection of cancer

 The specific project will be tailored in line with the candidate's experience and interests.

Eligibility

Candidates should hold, or achieve by the start of the PhD programme, a Master's degree in addition to a Bachelor's degree with a UK First- or Upper Second-Class honours grade or equivalent, in medicine or a relevant health science or quantitative science subject. Candidates must have strong epidemiological, statistical and computational skills as well as excellent communication skills.

The studentship includes funding for ‘Home’ tuition fees and a stipend of £19,668 per annum. This studentship is only available to candidates who are eligible for ‘Home’ tuition fees or those with ‘Overseas’ status who will fund the difference in fees from other sources (for more information on fee status and for the current tuition fees in the Faculty of Medicine see here).

Candidates must start the PhD by October 2023.

Application

The application form can be downloaded via Google Drive. It should be completed electronically and e-mailed to e.seleiro@imperial.ac.uk. Incomplete applications will not be considered.

For any queries on the project please contact Professor Marc Gunter; for queries on the application process contact Dr Eduardo Seleiro.

The closing date for applications is 05 June 2023 and interviews for shortlisted candidates will take place in late June.