The VIGILANCE study: developing imaging and circulating biomarkers towards personalised radiotherapy in locally advanced lung cancer
Closing date: 17/11/2025
Clinical Research Training Fellowship: The VIGILANCE study: developing imaging and circulating biomarkers towards personalised radiotherapy in locally advanced lung cancer
Lead Supervisors: Prof. Corinne Faivre-Finn
Co-Supervisors: Dr Gareth Price, Dr Florent Mouliere
Applications Deadline: 12:00pm Monday 17th November 2025
Interviews: Week commencing 12th January 2026
Start date: September 2026
Project Keywords: Lung cancer, Radiotherapy, Biomarkers
Research Opportunity: Clinical Research Training Fellowship leading to the award of PhD
Project Outline
Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer mortality worldwide with non-small-cell lung cancer (NSCLC) the most prevalent subtype. One-fifth of patients present with stage 3 or locally advanced (LA) disease (~ 9000/year in England). Over half of these patients receive radiotherapy-based treatments. In fit patients, concurrent chemoradiotherapy followed by immunotherapy offers the best chance of cure. However, this approach is associated with significant toxicity and outcomes remain poor due to high risk of disease recurrence.
There remains an unmet clinical need for biomarkers that can predict toxicity and identify treatment failure early. Such information would enable clinicians to personalise treatment and follow-up strategies, aligning care with patient and tumour characteristics. Our aim, therefore, is to design patient-led clinical trials that integrate new biomarkers to improve treatment decision-making and individualise lung cancer treatment.
High-quality, prospective clinical data has already been collected from patients with LA-NSCLC undergoing curative-intent radiotherapy within the MCRC VIGILANCE study. Study data includes innovative cell-free DNA (cfDNA) and radiomic biomarkers from routine imaging captured at multiple timepoints throughout treatment and follow-up. Patient-reported symptoms and quality of life measures have also been captured, using patient-reported outcome (PROMS). These will provide valuable insight into the patient experience of radiotherapy and permit the evaluation of PROMs as a patient-centred, qualitative biomarker. Except for cfDNA, all candidate biomarkers are routinely collected, making this study highly pragmatic and translatable to real-world practice.
Overall, this project builds on previous work but introduces new, impactful insights that will significantly advance the field. Importantly, it integrates patient involvement throughout which will inform the development of a patient co-designed trial, aimed at delivering more personalised care. The candidate will benefit from the unique infrastructure in Manchester that brings together experts in clinical and translational research in The Christie, National Biomarker Centre, and the MCRC.
Applications for this project are now open. Please complete your application on The University of Manchester website.
About Professor Corinne Faivre-Finn (project Lead Supervisor)
Corinne Faivre-Finn is a Professor of Thoracic Radiation Oncology at University of Manchester and Honorary Consultant Clinical Oncologist at the Christie. She is an experienced PhD supervisor.
She is Principal Investigator for numerous trials studying radiotherapy in lung cancer and an author of 24 lung cancer national and international guidelines. She has authored>300 papers including 7practice changing studies.
She has numerous professional roles including radiotherapy research lead for Manchester Cancer Research Centre & CRUK Lung Cancer Centre, Chair of the ESTRO Lung Focus Group & the Early NSCLC EORTC Lung Group. She also leads the Christie Patient Reported Outcome Group.
Key information
Before submitting an application, please ensure you have read the information below about the funding arrangements and eligibility for our Clinical Research Training Fellowships.
We also encourage you to get in contact with the lead supervisor to discuss the project and any particulars.
Further information is available on the Clinical Research Training Fellowships webpage.
The clinical fellowships are usually tenable for three years, although in certain circumstances they may be four years duration. The Fellowship covers:
- running expenses,
- an appropriate salary in line with the applicant’s current salary and grade
- full coverage of University PhD fees at the UK/home fee rate.
International Candidates
The University of Manchester aims to support the most outstanding applicants from outside the UK.
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 assess each EU and international candidate’s suitability for a bursary at the application and interview stages.
You must be a post-registration clinician, and ideally have a specialist post in a related subject, to apply for our Clinical Research Training Fellowships.
Applicants must hold an MBChB degree or an equivalent medical qualification. You should also hold, or be about to obtain, a minimum upper second class (or equivalent) undergraduate degree in a relevant subject. A related master’s degree would be an advantage.
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.
Applications for this programme are now open. Please submit your application on The University of Manchester application portal.
Key dates
- Applications open: Monday 6th October 2025
- Application deadline: 12:00pm Monday 17th November 2025
- Interviews: Week commencing 12th January 2026
- Start date: September 2026
Useful Links
Submit your application
Interested in applying for this opportunity? Submit your application on The University of Manchester application portal.
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