AstraZeneca-Funded Non-Clinical PhD Studentship: Defining and targeting immune-regulatory metabolic niches during benign-to-malignant transformation of pancreatic cancer

Supervisors: Dr Tim Halim and Dr Gregory Hamm (AZ Partner)

Department/location: Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute

Deadline for application: 17th October 2025

Course start date: 1st October 2026

Overview

Applications are invited for a 4-year PhD studentship based in the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute and the new AstraZeneca Discovery Centre at Cambridge. The student will be working on a collaborative project entitled: "Defining and targeting immune-regulatory metabolic niches during benign-to-malignant transformation of pancreatic cancer" jointly supervised by Dr Tim Halim (primary academic supervisor) at the CRUK Cambridge Institute, Dr Albert Koulman at the Institute of Metabolic Science, and Dr Gregory Hamm at AstraZeneca, and will have the opportunity to work across the three sites.

For further information about Dr Halim's research group, including their most recent publications, please visit our website at https://www.cruk.cam.ac.uk/research-groups/halim-group/. For further information about Dr Koulman's research group, including their most recent publications, please visit our website at https://www.mrl.ims.cam.ac.uk/staff/dr-albert-koulman.

This is a unique opportunity for PhD study in the world-leading Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute (CRUK CI), to start a research career in an environment committed to training outstanding cancer research scientists of the future.

The Institute's particular strengths are in genomics, computational biology and imaging; and significant research effort is currently devoted to cancers arising in the breast, pancreas, brain, and colon. We now aim to expand our use of AI to generate new research hypotheses and explore further areas of cancer biology. Our Core Facilities provide researchers with access to state-of-the-art equipment, in-house expertise and training. Scientists at CRUK CI aim to understand the fundamental biology of cancer and translate these findings into the clinic to benefit patients.

There are around 100 postgraduate students at the Cambridge Institute, who play a vital and pivotal role in its continuing success. We are committed to providing an inclusive and supportive working environment that fosters intellectual curiosity and scientific excellence.

If you are interested in finding out more about our groundbreaking scientific research, please visit our website at https://www.cruk.cam.ac.uk/.

Project details

The tumour immunity cycle involves cyclical trafficking of T cell subsets between the tumour and lymphoid organs. While current immunotherapy has focused on re-energizing exhausted T cells, it is becoming apparent that many checkpoint drugs act on specific subsets of 'stem like' T cells, which are present in the lymph nodes, or other sites such as the tumour itself.

Underpinning the function of T cells is their ability to traffic between anatomical sites, such as the lymph node and tumour; however, less is known about their trafficking and interactions within the tumour- or tissue-microenvironment.

Our existing collaborations with AstraZeneca have yielded very interesting data specific metabolites that are involved in the migration and positioning of regulatory (Tregs) and 'stem like' CD8 T cells in the tumour microenvironment via a recently discovered chemokine receptor; this co-localisation results in Tregs suppressing anti-cancer immunity, and impede the efficacy of ICI therapy (Simpson et al. in preparation*). When these local metabolic / immunologic changes happen during pancreatic cancer evolution remains unknown. More importantly, whether these spatial changes can be exploited for circulating biomarker discovery or therapeutic intervention are important clinical questions for PDAC patients.

The proposed project will extend on this collaboration, utilizing cutting-edge mouse models and immunology expertise (CRUK-CI), access to relevant patient material (matched fresh-frozen PDAC and serum samples). We will utilize AstraZeneca expertise in spatial and circulatory metabolomics, as well as imaging mass cytometry, and test the effect of AZ clinical compounds on the immune-metabolic landscape of our PanIN-to-PDAC models. Dr Koulman will provide training and support with metabolomic and lipidomic analysis.

References/further reading

Stockis J, Yip T, Raghunathan S, Garcia C, Lee S, Simpson C, Pinaud S, Schuijs MJ, Araos Henríquez J, Png S, Raddi G, Bricard O, So TY, Mack S, Papadopoulos P, Sawle A, Jodrell DI, McKenzie ANJ, Thaventhiran JED, Clatworthy MR, Biffi G, Saeb-Parsy K, Liston A, and Halim TY. (2024) Tissue-resident regulatory T cells exert dualistic anti-tumour and pro-repair function in the exocrine pancreas. BioRxiv (http://doi.org/10.1101/2024.02.15.580302). (in revision)

Schuijs MJ, Png S, Richard AC, Tsyben A, Hamm G, Stockis J, Garcia C, Pinaud S, Nicholls A, Romero-Ros X, Su J, Eldridge MD, Riedel A, Serrao E, Rodewald HR, Mack M, Shields J, Cohen ES, McKenzie ANJ, Goodwin RJA, Brindle K, Marioni JC, Halim TY. (2020) ILC2-driven innate immune checkpoint mechanism antagonizes NK cell anti-metastatic function in the lung. Nat Immunol 21: 998-1009.

Preferred skills/knowledge

We are looking for a candidate with excellent laboratory skills with a strong background in immunology, molecular biology, computational biology and image analysis. The successful candidate is expected to have excellent communication, organisational and time-management skills, creative and rational problem solving, and be highly motivated to drive an independent research project.

Student support and training

As a graduate student at Cambridge, you will have access to a wide range of training opportunities and benefit from close supervision provided by a primary and secondary PhD supervisor as well as a personal mentor. Students are encouraged to attend the wide variety of lectures and training courses available to them across the Institute and wider University. All students are expected to attend all internal and external seminars held within the CRUK Cambridge Institute. Students will also be encouraged to attend and present at the annual AstraZeneca students symposium.

Funding

This AstraZeneca-Funded Non-Clinical PhD Studentship covers an index-linked student stipend for 4 years, tuition fees (at Home rate only) and an allocation towards project consumables and training. The successful student will become part of a cohort of Cambridge-AstraZeneca students who will spend time at both institutions over the course of their PhD and come together as a group for training and social events.

Eligibility

Applications are invited from recent graduates or final-year undergraduates who hold or expect to gain a First/Upper Second Class degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject from any recognised university worldwide. Applicants with relevant research experience, gained through Master's study or while working in a laboratory, are strongly encouraged to apply. These positions are open to UK citizens or overseas students who meet the UK residency requirements (Home fees) or are able to augment the funds to cover the extra costs associated through scholarships or funding schemes. Students will not be allowed to supplement fees via self funding. Full details of the University's entrance requirements and scholarships are specified on the following link: https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/.

How to apply

Please apply via the University Applicant Portal. For further information about the course and to access the Applicant Portal, visit: https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/directory/cvcrpdmsc. You should select to commence study in October 2026.

Additional information

To complete your online application, you will need to answer/provide the following: Choice of project and supervisor, Course-specific questions, Supporting documents. The closing date for applications is 17th October 2025 with interviews expected to take place in the week beginning 5th January 2026.