PhD studentship: Single-cell spatial multi-omics for cancer biology

Overview

Dr Guiping Wang will be joining the CRUK Cambridge Institute as a Group Leader later this year. Her laboratory focuses on the spatial genomics of cancer, with a particular interest in how extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA) drives oncogene amplification and therapy resistance. By developing and applying advanced imaging and epigenomic sequencing technologies, the Wang Group aims to map gene regulation at multiple scales, from single molecules to genome-wide circuits, to uncover new targetable vulnerabilities in aggressive cancers.

Dr Wang wishes to recruit a student to work on the project entitled: "single-cell spatial multi-omics for cancer biology"

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

In the Wang Group, we develop and apply interdisciplinary technologies that bridge high-resolution spatial biology and genome-wide discovery. By integrating multi-omic sequencing and quantitative imaging, we work towards a multi-scale understanding of how molecular composition and subcellular organisation shape cell function, plasticity and disease. A central biology focus of the lab is extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA) circular DNA elements that drive oncogene amplification, intratumour heterogeneity and therapeutic resistance across many aggressive solid cancers.

This PhD project will help develop and apply cutting-edge single-cell and spatial multi-omic approaches that link molecular signatures to cancer cell vulnerabilities. Working at the interface of molecular, chemical and optical method development and cancer biology, the student will build tools that connect molecular mechanisms of gene regulation to cellular phenotypes in cancer cells, and use them to dissect how ecDNA is organised, regulated and exploited in cancer.

References/further reading

• Tang J, Weiser NE, Wang G et al. Enhancing transcription replication conflict targets ecDNA-positive cancers. Nature 635, 210-218 (2024). PMID: 39506153
• Wang G, et al. Spatial organization of the transcriptome in individual neurons. bioRxiv doi: 10.1101/2020.12.07.414060
• Wang G, Simon D, et al. Structural plasticity of actin-spectrin membrane skeleton and functional role of actin and spectrin in axon degeneration. eLife (2019). PMID: 31042147
• Wang G, Moffitt JR, Zhuang X. Multiplexed imaging of high-density libraries of RNAs with MERFISH and expansion microscopy. Sci Rep 8, 4847 (2018). PMID: 29555914
• Moffitt JR, Hao J, Wang G et al. High-throughput single-cell gene-expression profiling with multiplexed error-robust fluorescence in situ hybridization. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 113, 11046-11051 (2016). PMID: 27625426

Preferred skills/knowledge

We are looking for a curious, motivated and collaborative student with a strong background in interdisciplinary science at the intersection of molecular biology, genomics, microscopy and computation. Applicants should hold (or expect to gain) an undergraduate or Master's degree in biophysics, biology, physics, chemistry, bioengineering, physical chemistry, biomedical sciences, or a related discipline.

Funding

This four-year studentship is funded by Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute and includes full funding for University fees and an index-linked stipend starting at £22,500 for four years in 2026-27.

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 Lent Term (January) 2027.

Deadline

The closing date for applications is Monday 6th July 2026 with in-person interviews expected to take place in September 2026.