Investigating the role of heterogeneity and plasticity in small cell lung cancer invasion
Closing date: 23/11/2026
Non-Clinical Studentship Project: Investigating the role of heterogeneity and plasticity in small cell lung cancer invasion
Lead Supervisors: Dr Martin Baker
Co-Supervisors: Professor Angeliki Malliri, Dr Kathryn Simpson, Professor Colin Lindsay, Professor Caroline Dive
Applications Deadline: 12:00pm Monday 23rd November 2026
Interviews: Friday 5th February 2027 (in Manchester)
Start date: September 2027
Project Keywords: Plasticity, Heterogeneity, Invasion
Research Opportunity: Non-Clinical Studentship leading to the award of PhD
Project Outline
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC) is among the most aggressive cancers. Approximately 80% of patients present with metastatic disease at which stage treatment options are limited, and median survival <1 year. A key reason for the aggressiveness of this disease is tumour plasticity (wherein cells change their phenotypes) leading to tumour heterogeneity (the tumour comprises diverse phenotypes).
Most tumours contain mostly neuroendocrine (NE) cells mixed with a minority of a nonneuroendocrine (non-NE) population. Transition from NE to non-NE states generates this mix, and cooperation between the two populations is required for invasion and metastasis as well as drug resistance. There is limited understanding of what triggers this transition because standard cell lines mostly utilised to study SCLC possess little plasticity. Our team leverages unique patient-derived circulating tumour cell explant (CDX) models that retain spontaneous NE to non-NE transition, providing a powerful platform to uncover mechanisms that drive SCLC progression.
This studentship will explore how microenvironment signalling initiates and propagates the NE to non-NE transition, enabling invasion and metastasis of SCLC cells. To this end, the student will implement cellular assays to follow fate switching, 3D culture assays to study the impact of microenvironmental factors and plasticity on invasion, and kinome profiling to implicate critical kinases that are actionable. Training will span molecular and cell biology, flow cytometry, and microscopy as well as data-driven screening within a collaborative and inclusive supervisory environment, all within state-of-the-art laboratory and office space. The training offered by the studentship will also deliver broad transferable skills for a successful PhD and a career in cancer research.
Applications for this project are now open. Please complete your application on The University of Manchester website.
About Dr Martin Baker (project Lead Supervisor)
Martin has spent the past decade investigating the fundamental biological questions that underpin the aggressiveness of cancer, with a recent focus on small cell lung cancer. He completed his bachelor’s degree in Biochemistry at the University of Bristol and attained his PhD from the University of Cambridge. There, he worked at the Babraham Institute where he began to specialise in receptor and small GTPase signalling. As a post-doctoral researcher at the University of Pennsylvania, he worked on understanding the role of the small GTPase RAC1 in prostate cancer.
He joined Professor Angeliki Malliri’s lab as a post-doctoral researcher in 2021 and was promoted to research fellow in the Division of Cancer Sciences in 2026. His work explores receptors and small GTPase signalling to understand how that drives cell motility, plasticity, and heterogeneity in cancer. Martin is continuing his small cell lung cancer research in the larger Cell Signalling group in close collaboration with the CRUK National Biomarker Centre and CRUK Manchester Institute.
Key information
Before submitting an application, please ensure you have read the information below about the funding arrangements and eligibility for Non-Clinical Studentships.
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 Non-Clinical PhD Studentships webpage.
Our Non-Clinical PhD Studentships are usually funded for four years, with funding covering:
- Project running costs
- University tuition fees university tuition fees (at the UK rate, with some scholarships available for high-performing EU/International candidates)
- An annual stipend of £22,500 to help with living costs
Studentships are highly competitive and so we encourage you to contact any supervisors who you are interested in working with before applying for our Non- Clinical PhD Studentships.
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 hold, or be about to achieve, a First or Upper Second-class honours degree in a relevant subject. A related Master’s degree is also an advantage.
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 5th October 2026
- Application deadline (all projects): 12:00pm Monday 23rd November 2026
- Non-Clinical Interviews: Friday 15th January 2027 (in Manchester)
- Start date: September 2027
Useful Links
Submit your application
Interested in applying for this opportunity? Submit your application on The University of Manchester application portal.
Non-Clinical PhD Studentships
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