AstraZeneca-Funded Non-Clinical PhD Studentship: Deciphering cellular determinants of sensitivity to high-LET radiation to inform combination strategies with next-generation Targeted Alpha Therapies

University of Cambridge - Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute (CRUK CI) and the AstraZeneca Discovery Centre

Supervisors: Professor Sir Steve Jackson and Dr Mark O'Connor (AZ Partner)

Course start date: 1st October 2026

Project details

Targeted Alpha Therapy (TAT) selectively delivers high Linear Energy Transfer (LET) alpha-particles to cancer cells, maximising efficacy while minimising toxicity. Knowledge about radiation sensitivity, accrued mainly with sparsely ionising low-LET radiation (e.g. X-ray, ¿-ray), demonstrated that genetic backgrounds influence radiation therapy (RT) responses, with DNA-damage response (DDR) pathways critically involved. However, determinants of sensitivity to high-LET radiation, such as alpha particles emitted by TAT, remain largely unexplored.

Emerging data suggest that some cancer cells within the alpha particle emission path only receive sub-lethal levels of DNA damage and can survive. Combining TAT and DDR inhibitors thus has the potential to convert this sub-lethal DNA damage into cancer cell killing.

This project will explore the effects of radioligand therapies on cell viability and DDR activation in established human cell models. The student will perform CRISPR screens to determine factors that affect resistance/sensitivity and follow these up with mechanistic studies of a shortlist of identified targets. These studies may uncover mechanisms of cellular responses, potential biomarkers and additional therapeutic vulnerabilities that underlie the responses of normal and tumour cells to alpha radiotherapy.

References

1. Awwad, S.W., Serrano-Benitez, A., Thomas, J.C., Gupta, V., and Jackson, S.P. Nurturing a revolution in DNA repair and cancer therapy through CRISPR screens. Nature Reviews Molecular and Cell Biology 2023. 24, 477-494.
2. Awwad, S.W., Doyle, C., Coulthard, J., Bader, A.S., Gueorguieva, N., Lam, S., Gupta, V., Belotserkovskaya, R., Tran, T-A., Balasubramanian, S., Jackson, S.P. KLF5 loss sensitizes cells to ATR inhibition and is synthetic lethal with ARID1A deficiency. Nature Communications 2025. 16(1):480.
3. Yard, B.D., et al., Cellular and Genetic Determinants of the Sensitivity of Cancer to alpha-Particle Irradiation. Cancer Res, 2019. 79(21): p. 5640-5651.
4. Guerra Liberal, F.D.C., et al. High-LET radiation induces large amounts of rapidly-repaired sublethal damage. Scientific Reports 2023. 13, 11198.
5. Redmond et al., A potential biomarker of radiosensitivity in metastatic hormone sensitive prostate cancer patients treated with combination external beam radiotherapy and radium-223. Radiotherapy and Oncology 2024. 191, 110063.

Preferred skills/knowledge

You will have excellent laboratory skills with a strong background in biochemistry, molecular biology and genomics.

Funding

Funding includes a stipend for four years, tuition fees (at Home rate only) and an allocation towards project consumables and training.

Eligibility

Applicants with relevant research experience are strongly encouraged to apply. The position is open to UK citizens, or overseas students meeting the UK residency requirements, or able to cover the difference in international fees through additional funding awards.

How to apply

Please apply via the University Applicant Portal. For further information about the course and to access the Applicant Portal, please click on the 'Apply' button above. You should select to commence study in October 2026. The closing date for applications is 17th October 2025 with interviews expected to take place in the week beginning 5th January 2026. Please quote reference SW47205 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy. The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society. The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.