Social, Ancestry, Molecular and Biological Analyses of Cancer Inequalities

This multidisciplinary PhD project will be based at the University of Nottingham Biodiscovery Institute, and will involve collaborations with the SAMBAI institutions, led by Professor Melissa Davis at Morehouse School of Medicine, alongside collaborators from Weill Cornell Medicine, Columbia University, Johns Hopkins University, Emory University, University of Glasgow, Kings College London, and University of Pretoria.

Your project will examine the convergence of social, environmental, genomic and tumor biology factors that contribute to disparities in outcome in cancer patients of African ancestry. To do this you will use advanced immuno-histopathological techniques, including the state-of-the-art Akoya Phenocycler platform, to compare the tumour microenvironment of diverse patient cohorts. Your project will primarily focus on prostate cancer, but you will also have the opportunity to contribute to parallel projects focussing on breast and pancreatic cancers. To do this you will review and annotate digital pathology images and construct tissue microarrays and complete immunophenotyping. You will also have the opportunity to gain experience in data analysis and integration. You will be an integral member of the wider SAMBAI team and will network with collaborators at our partner institutions across the USA, UK and African. The successful candidate will be medically qualified with experience in prostate, breast and/or pancreatic cancer pathology and with clinical experience in Kenya, Zambia or Nigeria.   

Further information and Application 

Applicants should have a minimum of a Medicine degree, experience in clinical pathology and immunohistochemistry, clinical experience relevant to Kenya, Nigeria or Zambia, and have achieved the other entry requirements requirements.  

Informal enquiries may be addressed to the principal supervisor: [email protected] 

Candidates should apply online and include a CV. When completing the online application form, please select the School of Veterinary Medicine and Science, then 4M24 PhD Molecular Medicine (and Complex Diseases) (48m), there is no need to write a proposal please write ‘application to Professor Nigel Mongan’ in the proposal area; once submitted, send your student ID number to [email protected]. 

Any queries regarding the application process should be addressed to [email protected]. 

Interview Date:  

Week commencing January 6, 2024 

Start Date:  

Feb 1, April 1 or July 1, 2025 

Closing date:  

December 16, 2024