Innate-adaptive immune interactions in cancer evolution

Reference: SW51021

Supervisor: Dr Tim Halim

Department/location: Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute

Deadline for application: 16th October 2026

Course start date: 1st October 2027

Overview

Dr Tim Halim wishes to recruit a student to work on the project entitled: “Innate-adaptive immune interactions in cancer evolution”

For further information about the research group, including their most recent publications, please visit our website at https://www.cruk.cam.ac.uk/research-groups/halim-group/

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. AI has become integrated into all areas of research, as well as standalone, to generate new pathways for innovation and collaboration. 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 immune system is capable of detecting cancer, which forms the basis of immunotherapy. While immunotherapy has revolutionised cancer treatment in recent years, it remains unclear how exactly the immue system detects and responds to pre-cancereous lesions. Nevertheless, it is known that the activatin (or deactivation) of anti-cancer immune cells involves many different cell-types that communicate dynamically in specific tissue niches.

Our laboratory has an interest in resolving the interactions between tissue-resident immune cells, with the overall goal of identifying key mechanisms that can be targeted therapeutically at different stages of cancer. We found that recently discovered, tissue-resident, group 2 innate lymphoid cells (ILC2) can play key roles in coordinating different types of immune and non-immune cells that play critical roles in tumourigenesis (i.e. Tregs, Dendritic Cells, cancer associated fibroblasts, etc.). The project will start by asking if ILC2, or other tissue-resident innate immune cells, play an important role during tumour evolution.

The PhD project will build on ongoing work in different cancer types (pancreatic, breast, ovarian and lung), where we have already developed mouse models and human tissue processing pipelines. The candidate will learn and use cutting edge immunological methods (high parameter flow cytometry, multiplex imaging, single cell and spatial transcriptomics) in conjuction with intravital imaging and proximity labelling tools to define the dynamic interaction of immune cells in cancer. The candidate will need to master both complex ‘wet lab’ techniques, as well as learn how to perform robust in silico analysis of data (training will be provided by senior lab members, collaborators, or experts in the Institute core facilities). The candidate will generate hypotheses from these large descriptive datasets, which will then be tested rigorously using in vitro assays, in vivo, and ultimately in patient derived material. The overall ambition is to uncover novel mechanistic insights about immune regulation in early cancer, and to design interventions that halt or delay tumour progression.

References/further reading

Yip T et al. Science 2026 (DOI: 10.1126/science.aea5113)

Stockis J et al. Science Immunology 2024 (DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.adl1903)

Schuijs MJ et al. Nature Immunology 2020 (https://doi.org/10.1038/s41590-020-0745-y)

Preferred skills/knowledge

Cell biology / Immunology laboratory experience, such as: Flow cytometry and FACS, immunofluorescence microscopy/imaging, cell culture, tumour cell killing assays, tissue processing, etc.

Molecular biology laboratory experience, such as: DNA/RNA extraction, PCR, cloning, virus production, ELISA, etc.

Computational biology laboratory experience, such as: bulk- singl cell- or spatial-transcriptomic data analysis, spatial biology analysis using HALO, Imaris, etc.

Murine or human tissue work, such as: tissue processing, tumour or immune-related in vivo models, surgical skills, transgenic animal models, UK PIL training, etc.

Knowledge: background in cancer biology, immunology, cell biology, etc. Training and interest in bioinformatics, computational biology.

Funding

This four-year studentship is funded by Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute and includes full funding for University fees, with an index-linked stipend starting at £22,894pa for four years in 2027-28.

Eligibility

We welcome applications from both UK and overseas students.

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.

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 2027.

Additional information

To complete your online application, you will need to answer/provide the following:

Choice of project and supervisor

Please ensure that you name the project (with reference code) and supervisor, where indicated. You are permitted to apply for up to three projects.

Course-specific questions

• You will be asked to give details of your Research Experience (up to 2,500 characters)
• Your Statement of Interest (up to 2,500 characters) should explain why you wish to be considered for the studentship and what qualities and experience you will bring to the role.

Supporting documents

Applicants will be asked to provide:

• Academic transcripts
• Evidence of competence in English (if appropriate)
• Details of two academic referees
• CV/resume

References

We would appreciate it if you could ask your referees to submit their references as soon as possible upon request, despite the longer University deadline for references. They will receive a request once you have completed the References section of your application.

Deadline

The closing date for applications is 16th October 2026, with interviews expected to take place in the week beginning 4th January 2027.

Funding Notes

This four-year studentship is funded by Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute and includes full funding for University fees, with an index-linked stipend starting at £22,894pa for four years in 2027-28.

References

Yip T et al. Science 2026 (DOI: 10.1126/science.aea5113)
Stockis J et al. Science Immunology 2024 (DOI: 10.1126/sciimmunol.adl1903)
Schuijs MJ et al. Nature Immunology 2020 (https://doi.org/10.1038/s41590-020-0745-y)