Developing novel therapeutics to target splicing factor mutant myeloid malignancies
Closing date: 03/04/2026
CRUK Black Leaders in Cancer Non-Clinical PhD Scholarship: Developing novel therapeutics to target splicing factor mutant myeloid malignancies
Lead Supervisors: Dr Daniel Wiseman
Co-Supervisors: Dr Kiran Batta, Dr Sam Butterworth
Applications Deadline: 12:00pm Friday 3rd April 2026
Interviews: Friday 8th May 2026
Start date: September 2026
Project Keywords: Blood cancer, splicing, targeted therapies
Research Opportunity: Non-Clinical Studentship leading to the award of PhD
Project Outline
Aberrant splicing is a pervasive, driving pathological feature of several blood cancers, as evidenced by the high frequency of mutations involving splicing machinery components, which range from 20% to 70% depending on the specific blood cancer type. Leukaemia patients with splicing factor mutations generally have worse overall survival than those with splicing factor-wild type, highlighting the need for better treatment strategies for this group of patients. Moreover, given the diverse downstream transcriptional consequences of these mutations, there is strong premise that cryptic novel therapeutic vulnerabilities might be exposed.
To identify novel candidate therapeutic targets for splicing factor-mutant blood cancers, we have performed CRISPR-KO synthetic lethality screens in isogenic myeloid leukaemia cell lines that mimic the most frequently observed splicing factor mutations (N=5). This approach allowed us to identify several targets whose loss uniquely induced cell death in one or more mutant lines, but not in wild type leukaemia cells. By seeking common vulnerabilities, we have identified synthetic lethal hits shared by at least three of the mutant lines. A functional enrichment analysis of these hits revealed that most hits are associated with three important cellular pathways.
The prospective student will validate these findings, investigate the mechanisms underlying the observed instances of synthetic lethalities, and assess the therapeutic effectiveness of targeting these pathways in splicing factor-mutant cell lines, primary patient samples, and animal models. The identification of novel therapeutics that target multiple splicing factor mutations (representing a significant proportion of leukaemia patients overall) holds immense significance and will pave a clear path towards clinical trials. The approach – agnostic to disease category and rather focusing on shared biology – represents a different paradigm that could extend applicability of outputs (and impact) across a wide range of disease areas.
Applications for this project are now open. Please submit your application on The University of Manchester application portal and also on the Windsor Fellowship website.
About Dr Daniel Wiseman (project Lead Supervisor)
Dr Daniel Wiseman is an Honorary Consultant Haematologist at The Christie and a Clinician Scientist with a research group based at the CRUK Manchester Institute/Manchester Cancer Research Centre. He qualified in medicine from the University of Manchester in 2003 and completed general medical, then specialist haematology training at various hospitals in the North West of England, acceding to the Specialist Register in 2012. In 2016 he completed a PhD at the CRUK Manchester Institute, during which he researched the role of isocitrate dehydrogenase mutations in acute myeloid leukaemia.
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 £22,113 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.
This programme is aimed at students from Black heritage backgrounds pursuing a PhD in cancer-related fields. This scheme is open to people who self-identify as being from a Black heritage background, including a mixed background, for example: Black African, Black Caribbean, Black Other, Mixed background (to include Black African, Black Caribbean or other Black backgrounds). You will need to summit an initial application to the Windsor Fellowship.
The funding for this studentship covers students with UK Home tuition fee status only. However, the CRUK Manchester Centre are able to offer a number of overseas fee scholarships to candidates deemed appointable at interview. These scholarships cover fees only and do not cover health/visa surcharge costs.
The standard CRUK Manchester Centre PhD programme and studentship academic eligibility criteria are:
- A first or upper second-class honours degree (or equivalent from a non-UK university) in a relevant subject.
- Appropriate research experience as part of, or outside of, an undergraduate or masters degree course in a relevant subject.
- Appropriate English language skills.
Applications for this programme are now open. Please follow the steps below to complete your application:
Step 1: Contact the MCRC Training team to discuss your suitability for your chosen project.
Step 2: Visit the Windsor Fellowship website for further details and to log your application.
Step 3: Please then submit a full application for a Black Leaders in Cancer PhD on The University of Manchester application portal and also on the Windsor Fellowship website.
Key dates
- Applications open: Monday 2nd February 2026
- Application deadline: 12:00pm Friday 3rd April 2026
- Interviews: Friday 8th May 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.
CRUK Black Leaders in Cancer PhD Scholarship programme
By helping candidates from Black heritage backgrounds build their career in cancer research-related fields, this exciting programme is designed to make an immediate and tangible impact on the diversity of the research workforce.
Get in Touch
Contact Dr Yasmin Noori Jenaghard, Postgraduate Programme Manager.
Researcher Stories
Read first-hand experiences of from cancer scientists from across Manchester.
Why Manchester?
Find out why postgraduate students choose to study in Manchester.
A Day in the Life of a Non-Clinical PhD Student
Watch our short video to see what it's like to be a Non-Clinical PhD student in Manchester.