Programme across the three institutions.
Tumor invasion and metastasis are driven not only by genetic mutations, but also by mechanical factors within the tumor microenvironment, such as increased extracellular matrix stiffness, abnormal stress distribution, collagen fiber remodeling, and tissue structural heterogeneity. However, current evidence remains scattered across different modalities, including pathological imaging, elastography, mechanical testing, molecular omics, and clinical data. There is still a lack of unified data standards, cross-scale alignment methods, and explainable modeling frameworks. This project aims to construct a multimodal disease-specific database for tumor mechanobiology by integrating data from digital pathology, elastography, mechanical measurements, molecular features, and clinical outcomes. It will develop structure – mechanics-consistent alignment methods and explainable artificial intelligence models to reveal how tumor microstructural remodeling influences mechanical phenotypes and further drives the risk of invasion and metastasis.
Joint Supervisory Team:
- XJTLU supervisor: Dr. Haiyang Zhang
- XJTU supervisor: Professor. Feng Xu
- UoL supervisor: Dr. Kevin Hamill XJTLU
- Co-supervisor: Professor. Zhijie Xu
Requirements:
A UK first-class or upper second-class honours Bachelor's degree and a UK Master's degree with Merit (or their equivalent) are required for PhD admissions. Exceptional candidates holding only a Bachelor's degree may be considered on an individual basis.
Evidence of good spoken and written English is essential. The candidate should have an IELTS (or equivalent) score of 6.5 or above, if the first language is not English.
For more information about entry requirements and admission procedures of PhD programme at XJTLU, please visit:
Programme Structure and Fees:
Doctoral students in the joint programme are registered with both XJTLU and the UoL. Upon successful completion of the programme, the students will be awarded a PhD degree from University of Liverpool. During their doctoral studies at XJTLU, students are expected to conduct research at XJTU as visiting students. Additionally, students have the opportunity to apply for a short-term research visit to the UoL if the project requires it.
The joint doctoral programme is offered on a full-time basis, with a typical duration of three to four years. The tuition fee is RMB 99,000 per year.
How to Apply:
Interested applicants are advised to email haiyang.zhang@xjtlu.edu.cn the following documents for initial review and assessment (Please include the project title in the subject line):
- CV
- Two formal reference letters
- Personal statement outlining your interest in the position
- Certificates of English language qualifications (IELTS or equivalent)
- Full academic transcripts in both Chinese and English (for international students, only the English version is required)
- Verified certificates of education qualifications in both Chinese and English (for international students, only the English version is required)
- PDF copy of Master Degree dissertation (or an equivalent writing sample) and examiners reports available
Where will I study?
Xi'an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU) is an international joint-venture university founded by Xi’an Jiaotong University in China and the University of Liverpool in the UK, which captures the essence of both parent universities, offering students the opportunity to obtain globally recognised UK degree and a unique life experience within China.
