Science jobs from UCL Cancer Institute: job description
UNIVERSITY COLLEGE LONDON
UCL Cancer Institute (http://www.ucl.ac.uk/cancer/)
We are seeking applications from highly motivated candidates for a 4 year MRC Industrial Collaborative PhD Studentship, awarded to the UCL Cancer Institute, to commence in October 2009. The project is in collaboration with Merck-Serono and entitled “Optimising effects of EGFR inhibition in cancer therapy”
Applicants should hold, or realistically expect to obtain, at least an Upper Second Class Honours Degree, or equivalent, in a relevant subject and fulfil Research Council eligibility guidelines: http://www.mrc.ac.uk/Fundingopportunities/Applicanthandbook/Studentships/Eligibility/index.htm
The research will be carried out in the UCL Cancer Institute (http://www.ucl.ac.uk/cancer/), a new purpose-built facility opened in 2008 with state-of-the-art laboratories in the Paul O’Gorman building located close both to the main UCL campus and the UCLH tower. This building houses over 350 scientists involved in cancer prevention, early detection, basic biology and novel therapeutics in over 4,500 m2 of space. The Cancer Institute has exceptional core equipment facilities, an active research seminar series, and a full time Graduate Tutor who mentors students, follows their progress and organises student seminars.
The successful applicant will be expected to spend a period of time in Merck-Serono headquarters in Darmstadt – Germany. This position is for a U.K. national or those who meet the U.K. recognised residency requirement as detailed in the link above.
Project outline
The epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) pathway has been extensively investigated in colorectal cancers and over-expression of EGFR is associated with worse prognosis and advanced disease. Previous work by a number of groups has shown that EGFR inhibition can work in synergy with chemotherapy and radiation treatment in pre-clinical studies and in cancer cell lines. The mechanisms of these interactions remain unclear. However, recent studies have demonstrated that inhibition of EGFR resulted in inhibition of repair of DNA strand breaks and DNA interstrand crosslinks and that this involved the DNA-dependent protein kinase pathway.
Better understanding of the interactions between EGFR expression and inhibition, and DNA repair, will allow optimization of combinations in clinical studies, although effects of EGFR inhibition on modulating DNA repair have been described, the specific ligands and downstream events within the EGFR pathway influencing these effects are not known. Therefore colorectal cancer cell lines and in-house microarray technology will be used to precisely define specific ligands, receptors and downstream genes affecting repair of specific DNA lesions.
This position is funded for university fees and a stipend at standard MRC rates (for an October 2009 start). Project related enquiries (but not applications) may be directed to Professor Daniel Hochhauser (d.hochhauser@ucl.ac.uk).
Applications including a CV, names and addresses of two referees and a covering letter should be sent to Danielle Cahill (d.cahill@ucl.ac.uk)
The closing date for applications is April 30th, 2009.
UCL Cancer Institute
Website:
http://www.ucl.ac.uk
Location:
London, UK
Expires:
April 30, 2009
