Understanding the diversity and mechanisms of super-enhancer dysregulation in paediatric T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia

About the Project

Epigenomic dysregulation has emerged as a prominent hallmark of cancer (1, 2). It is now well established that cancers can exploit epigenomic plasticity and chromatin diversity to fuel growth and progression. Haematological cancers can utilise the powerful regulatory signals, or super-enhancers, that are often responsible for driving expression of lymphocyte identity genes to instead drive proto-oncogene expression. This process, super-enhancer ‘hijacking’, is a known means of paediatric leukaemia development and is a major research focus within Dr Lisa Russell’s group at the Wolfson Childhood Cancer Research Centre, Newcastle University (3-5). This PhD studentship, supervised by Dr Lisa Russell, Dr Nicholas Brittain Dr Frederik van Delft and Dr Brian Ortmann, proposes to interrogate the epigenomic and super-enhancer regulatory landscape of paediatric T-cell acute lymphoblastic leukaemia (T-ALL), survival for which still lags behind that of B-cell leukaemias (6).

Lisa Russell’s lab, the Leukaemia Epigenomic and Enhancer Dysregulation (LEGEND) group, has an international reputation for excellence in the biology of super-enhancer hijacking and wider epigenomic dysregulation. The group has developed expertise in a variety of cutting-edge epigenomic profiling techniques including CUT&Tag, CUT&RUN and ATAC-Seq to enable a thorough understanding of chromatin regulatory processes. In addition, the group is actively developing a variety of contemporary CRISPR-Cas9 approaches to functionally target key super-enhancer regions by repression of histones and use of proximity biotinylation technology to identify the local protein interactome at defined genomic loci (7-9). The project will leverage this collective evidence to identify potentially targetable protein regulators present at oncogenic super-enhancers, which could represent a unique therapeutic vulnerability for future treatment of paediatric T-ALL. The student will thus receive wide exposure to a range of modern molecular/cellular biology techniques, which will provide a strong grounding in the fast-growing area of epigenetic research. Furthermore, with expertise across the group the student will become well-versed in a range of computational and bioinformatics analysis methods for deriving insight from the wealth of data generated throughout - supplementing their exposure to contemporary laboratory methods and development of critical skills in an increasingly data-driven field.

This PhD project will be a collaboration with the laboratory of Dr Frederik van Delft, a clinician scientist, group leader and prominent expert in paediatric T-ALL. A range of paediatric T-ALL disease models will be profiled, including cell lines and patient-derived xenografts for which long-read sequencing and RNA-Seq data will be available, in order to capture the epigenomic heterogeneity of T-ALL and maximise translational impact.

Funding

Students who have, or are expecting to attain, at least an upper second-class honours degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject, are invited to apply. Funding is available for Home (UK) students to cover tuition fees, a tax-free stipend at the UKRI rate (indicative amount in year 1 in 2026-27, £21,805) and research costs, for four years. Applicants normally required to cover International fees will have to cover the difference between the Home and the International tuition fee rates. There is no additional funding available to cover NHS Immigration Health Surcharge (IHS) costs, visa costs, flights etc.

Funding for this studentship is awarded on a competitive basis and is not guaranteed; availability will depend on the outcome of the selection process and subject to final approval by the University.

HOW TO APPLY

Please complete the following application form – Google Form

Applicants can only apply for 1 project; any additional applications will not be accepted.

Applicants should send the following documents to FMSstudentships@newcastle.ac.uk:

• a CV (including contact details of at least two academic (or other relevant) referees).
• a Cover letter – stating your project choice, as well as including additional information you feel is pertinent to your application.
• copies of your relevant undergraduate degree transcripts and certificates.
• a copy of your IELTS or TOEFL English language certificate (where required)
• (You can check that you meet Newcastle University English Language requirements using this link - International Students: English Language Requirements | Newcastle Uni | Newcastle University)
• a copy of your passport (photo page).

A GUIDE TO THE FORMAT REQUIRED FOR THE APPLICATION DOCUMENTS IS AVAILABLE

Please submit your documents in the following format only:

• each document should be submitted as a separate attachment and should be named as follows: candidate surname, candidate name – document type. For example: Jones, Jamie – CV; Jones, Jamie – cover letter.
• Please submit .pdf documents where possible for your CV, cover letter, transcripts and certificates. Do not submit photos of certificates.
• Do not combine documents into one pdf. You may zip separate documents into a zip file to send via email if required.
• When emailing your application, please use the email subject header: FMS PhD Application 2026

Applications not meeting these criteria may be rejected.

Informal enquiries may be made to the lead supervisor of the project you are interested in.

The deadline for all applications is 12 noon BST (UK time) on Wednesday 20th May 2026.