15 PhD positions in a multidisciplinary research training program to uncover cellular control of immuno-metabolism and prostate cancer progression

15 PhD positions are offered to undertake research training at the interface of several disciplines and sectors within the European Marie Skłodowska-Curie Innovative Training Network (ITN) “Tribbles Research and Innovation Network” (TRAIN), which is composed of 10 industrial and academic institutions from the United Kingdom, Spain, Germany, France, The Netherlands, Portugal and Hungary.

This is an excellent opportunity to join a strong international scientific network that provides the opportunity to qualify for a PhD, benefitting from the enhanced parallel training opportunities of the Marie Sklodowska-Curie ITN programme and networking with other PhD students in the cohort.

Context: Dysregulation of common molecular pathways that govern the physiological functioning of adipocytes, immune cells and prostate epithelial cells have been reported in immune-metabolic disease, such as obesity, and several cancers. Our overall objective is to uncover cell-specific aspects of these pathways, focusing on tribbles (TRIB) proteins, a recently described family of pseudokinases, that have a key role in controlling immunity, energy homeostasis and cancer development, and which here will serve as prototypical examples for integrative immune-metabolomic cancer research. This multidisciplinary research-training programme will uncover cell-specific aspects of TRIB-mediated control of immuno-metabolism and their impact on PCa progression. We will approach this by integrating cell biology and sophisticated in vivo models of both immuno-metabolic disease and PCa, complemented by specialist human disease biobank materials, cutting-edge genomics approaches, plus a drug discovery pipeline. This will be carried out by an alliance of leading academic research groups and specialist SMEs with complementary backgrounds in inflammation, adipose tissue (AT) biology, tumourigenesis, genomics, translational models of human disease, medicinal chemistry and drug discovery.

Within his/her respective project, each PhD student will participate in at least one international/trans-sectorial exchange of 4-6 months in another partner’s laboratory. In addition, a number of 4-6 days training events will be hosted and delivered by the partner institutions during the 3 years. A mobility allowance will be granted to cover the expenses caused by the mobility.

European H2020 funding mobility rules apply, notably applicants must not have spent more than 12 months in the country of the host institution within the 3 years immediately prior to their recruitment.

Full details of each position can be found on the TRAIN website.

To apply, applicants must:

- have a Master’s degree (or equivalent) with outstanding performance

- not have spent more than 4 years undergoing full time research at the time of their recruitment

- have excellent English skills

- send a detailed Curriculum Vitae

- send a personal statement describing interests, confirming readiness to move to the host institution and awareness of mobility opportunities within this 3-year PhD program

- provide two academic references

- indicate which project(s) they are applying for and indicate preference order if several choices

Applications should be sent in a single pdf file to graham.hughes@sheffield.ac.uk for an initial eligibility check prior to forwarding to the institution(s) of choice. Unfortunately, due to the anticipated volume of applications only shortlisted applicants will be contacted.

Start date: February/March 2017 (flexible).

Be aware these positions will only remain open until a suitable candidate is identified therefore early application is highly recommended.