About the Project
Radiotherapy remains pivotal in curing paediatric brain tumours, but survivors can face significant, life-changing late effects, e.g. neurocognitive decline, sensorineural hearing loss, and endocrine dysfunction. Yet little is known about how dose deposition drives the extent of these side-effects, or which sub-structures are truly responsible for the sequelae. A clearer understanding would enable better-optimised radiotherapy plans that spare the most vulnerable structures in the developing…
brain, and would help clinicians design individualised follow-up and mitigation strategies for each child and family.
This PhD builds on the BRAINatomy programme grant (SU2C/CRUK Pediatric Grand Challenges), which aims to optimise cognition in children treated with radiotherapy. You will build on our recent discoveries, including the identification of a new structure at risk (PMID: 41831792), and help translate them into clinical practice. You will work across three linked strands namely neurocognitive, endocrine, and hearing late effects, each seeking to identify, define, and spare the true structures at risk. Drawing on BRAINatomy data from Manchester and our partners at St Jude Children's Research Hospital (US) and UMC Groningen / Princess Máxima Center (Netherlands), you will investigate these questions in high-quality, multi-institutional datasets.
The project suits a clinical candidate with a background in clinical oncology. Some programming skills (or a willingness to learn) are essential. You will receive training in radiotherapy, including its most recent developments (Proton Beam Therapy), data science, and the design and leadership of prospective clinical studies, working at the intersection of clinical oncology, medical physics, and advanced image analysis. You will join an international, highly multidisciplinary supervisory team within the BRAINatomy research group.
Eligibility
You must be a post-registration clinician and therefore must hold an MBChB degree or equivalent medical degree and ideally have a specialist post in a related subject, to apply for our Clinical Research Training Fellowships.
It is generally expected that CRTFs will return to a training programme in the UK upon completion of their research degree.
International applicants (including EU nationals) must ensure they meet the academic eligibility criteria (including English language) before contacting potential supervisors to express an interest in their project. Eligibility information can be found on the University's Country Specific information page.
Before you Apply
Applicants must make direct contact with preferred supervisors before applying. It is your responsibility to make arrangements to meet with potential supervisors, prior to submitting a formal online application.
How to Apply
Apply directly via this link: https://tinyurl.com/577zjazd or on the online application portal, select MCRC PhD Programme as the programme of study.
You may only apply for one project within this scheme. Please ensure that your application includes all required supporting documents:
- Curriculum Vitae (CV)
- Supporting Statement
- Academic Certificates and Transcripts
Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. Further details are available on our website: CRUK Manchester Centre PhD Training Scheme | Biology, Medicine and Health | University of Manchester
Application Timeline
- Applications open: Monday, 5 October 2026
- Application deadline: Monday, 23 November 2026
- Interview date: Week commencing 11 January 2027
- Start date: September 2027
Equality, diversity and inclusion are central to the University's activities. The full statement can be found here: https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/study/research/getting-started/equality-diversity-inclusion/
Funding Notes
Clinical fellowships are typically tenable for three years, unless otherwise specified, although under limited circumstances they may extend to four years. The fellowship covers: running expenses, an appropriate salary aligned with the applicant's current salary and grade, and full coverage of University PhD fees at the UK/home fee rate.
International Candidates
We are able to offer a limited number of bursaries to high- performing EU and international candidates, covering PhD fees only. Bursaries do not include financial support for visa/health surcharges. We asses each EU and international candidate's suitability for a bursary at the application and interview stages.