Cancer; Microbiology; Health Informatics: Fully Funded PhD Studentship in Assessing the interactions between microbes and chemotherapy in colorectal cancer patients
PhD @Swansea University posted 4 weeks agoJob Description
Project description:
The project aims to develop a publicly accessible in silico database that identifies and catalogues bacterial genes capable of altering the effectiveness of chemotherapy drugs in colorectal cancer (CRC) patients. Focusing on microbial modification of 5-fluorouracil (5FU), the study will investigate how gut bacteria—both pathogenic and traditionally “beneficial” species —may influence chemotherapy outcomes. By mapping these gene distributions and integrating them into a predictive tool, the project seeks to stratify patients as likely responders or non-responders to chemotherapy, enabling personalised treatment and improved clinical outcomes.
The supervisory team of Dr. Paul Facey, Dr. Claire Morgan and Prof. Dean Harris, bringing expertise in cancer genomics, microbiology, and clinical translation. The work will be hosted at Swansea University Medical School and is designed with strong patient and public involvement and aims to directly influence clinical practice through accessible tools and knowledge dissemination.
Eligibility
Scholarship open to UK fee eligible applicants only.
Due to funding restrictions, this scholarship is open to applicants eligible to pay tuition fees at the UK rate only, as defined by UKCISA (Full list of categories for HE in Wales)
Applicants for PhD must hold an undergraduate degree at 2.1 level and a master’s degree. Alternatively, applicants with a UK first class honours degree (or Non-UK equivalent as defined by Swansea University) not holding a master’s degree, will be considered on an individual basis. See Country Specific Entry Requirements – Swansea University
English Language: IELTS 6.5 Overall (with no individual component below 6.5) or Swansea University recognised equivalent. For further information, please see the Swansea University English Language Entry Policy.
If you have any questions regarding your academic or fee eligibility based on the above, please email pgrscholarships@swansea.ac.uk with the web-link to the scholarship(s) you are interested in.
Funding
This scholarship covers a student stipend funded at current UKRI level (+3% inflation each year) as follows:
Year 1 = £19,814
Year 2 = £20,409
Year 3 = £21,210
Additional research expenses for Conferences are available to cover:
Conference 1 in year 2
Conference 2 in year 3
How to Apply
To apply, please complete the entire application form: Complete your application here in Learner Gateway
In order to be considered for this scholarship award the following steps are also required.
1) In section ‘Programme Related Information’ please input the relevant RS Code for the scholarship award i.e. RS832
2) In section ‘Research’ you will see ‘Proposed project title/studentship title’* (Mandatory)
- In ‘Proposed project title/studentship title’ please input the following:
- the RS Code: RS832, and
- the scholarship title.
- Please leave Proposed Supervisor field blank
- Please leave Research Project (if applicable) blank
- In ‘Do you have a proposal to upload?*’(Mandatory) Please select Yes
- Then upload copy of advert (you can save the advert by clicking print, and then print to pdf)
3) In section ‘Funding information’ please choose the option ‘Scholarship Funding’ only. Please ensure no other options are selected.
*It is the responsibility of the applicant to list the above information accurately when applying, please note that applications received without the above information listed will not be considered for the scholarship award.
One application is required per individual Swansea University led research scholarship award; applications cannot be considered listing multiple Swansea University led research scholarship awards.
NOTE: Applicants for PhD/EngD/ProfD/EdD – to support our commitment to providing an environment free of discrimination and celebrating diversity at Swansea University you are required to complete an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Monitoring Form in addition to your programme application form.
Please note that completion of the EDI Monitoring Form is mandatory; your application may not progress if this information is not submitted.
As part of your online application, you MUST upload the following documents (please do not send these via email):
- CV
- Degree certificates and transcripts (if you are currently studying for a degree, screenshots of your grades to date are sufficient)
- A cover letter including a ‘Supplementary Personal Statement’ to explain why the position particularly matches your skills and experience and how you choose to develop the project.
- One reference (academic or previous employer) on headed paper or using the Swansea University reference form. Please note that we are not able to accept references received citing private email accounts, e.g. Hotmail. Referees should cite their employment email address for verification of reference.
- Evidence of meeting English Language requirement (if applicable).
- Copy of UK resident visa (if applicable)
- Confirmation of EDI form submission
Informal enquiries are welcome; please contact Dr Paul Facey P.Facey@swansea.ac.uk
*External Partner Application Data Sharing – Please note that as part of the scholarship application selection process, application data sharing may occur with external partners outside of the University, when joint/co- funding of a scholarship project is applicable.
