Job Description

Ref Number

B02-09654

Professional Expertise

Research and Research Support

Department

School of Life & Medical Sciences (B02)

Location

London

Working Pattern

Full time

Salary

See advert text

Contract Type

Fixed-term

Working Type

Hybrid

Available for Secondment

No

Closing Date

21-Nov-2025

About us

------------


We investigate how cellular plasticity contributes to cancer initiation and progression, with the goal of identifying prognostic markers and new therapeutic targets.



We are a young, collaborative, and ambitious group, seeking a highly motivated PhD student with a passion for cancer biology and the drive to pursue impactful, cutting-edge research.



More detailed information about the research project is available on request from m.bernabe-rubio@ucl.ac.uk

About the role

------------------

Project Overview

Cell plasticity is a hallmark of cancer progression, enabling cells to evade therapy and adapt to hostile environments. One key form of plasticity--

dedifferentiation

--occurs when specialised cells revert to a stem-like state, a process that can be triggered by epithelial injury. While this is transient during normal wound healing, it can persist in cancer, suggesting a link between tissue injury and tumour initiation.



This PhD project will explore how wound healing programmes contribute to cancer initiation, focusing on the molecular mechanisms of dedifferentiation. Building on recent findings that

Myc-dependent mechanotransduction

promotes dedifferentiation (Bernabe-Rubio et al., 2023), the student will use

in vitro

and

murine models

, combining

lineage tracing

and

multi-omic approaches

to uncover how wound-experienced cells become vulnerable to malignant transformation. The model system will be

cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma

, the second most common epithelial cancer.

Research Environment

The student will join the

Cancer Cell Plasticity Group

, led by Dr Miguel Bernabe-Rubio, and be co-supervised by Prof Clare Bennett, a leading expert in skin immunology. The UCL Cancer Institute offers a vibrant, collaborative research environment with access to cutting-edge facilities in genomics, proteomics, imaging, pathology, and transgenesis.



More about the Institute: UCL Cancer Institute

About you

-------------

Candidate Profile

Essential:

First-class Honours degree in molecular biology, cell biology, immunology, or related field. Experience with cell culture and animal models. Strong motivation and understanding of cancer biology. Excellent analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills. Ability to work independently and collaboratively.

Desirable:

Peer-reviewed publications. Bioinformatics experience.

Applicants must qualify for

UK Home fee status

and meet

UCL PhD admissions

criteria

Key Dates

Application Deadline:

21 November 2025

Shortlisting:

Week commencing 24 November 2025

Interviews:

Week commencing 8 December 2025

Start Date:

1st Feb 2026

How to Apply

Submit the following by

21 November 2025

using the apply button.

CV

including:

Contact details of two referees (one academic).

A short statement (<500 words) explaining how your experience aligns with the project and person specification.

Academic transcripts and certificates

(PDF format). Include official English translations if applicable.

References:

Ask your referees to email their letters directly to

ci.hr-office@ucl.ac.uk

by the deadline. Subject line must include the studentship title and your surname.



For questions about the project, contact Dr Miguel Bernabe-Rubio:

m.bernabe-rubio@ucl.ac.uk

For application queries, contact:

ci.hr-office@ucl.ac.uk

What we offer

-----------------

This is a full time fully funded 4-year PhD studentship funded by Cancer Research UK, successful candidates will receive a

non-taxable annual stipend of 24,219

covering tuition fees at the Home rate.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

-------------------------------------------------------


As London's Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world's talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL's workforce. These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.



Our department holds an Athena SWAN Gold award, in recognition of our commitment and demonstrable impact in advancing gender equality.