From niche to clone: linking stromal–immune ecosystems to metastatic evolution in penile cancer
Closing date: 23/11/2026
Clinical Research Training Fellowship: From niche to clone: linking stromal–immune ecosystems to metastatic evolution in penile cancer
Lead Supervisors: Professor Vijay Sangar
Co-Supervisors: Professor Rob Bristow, Professor Amaya Virós, Mr Ashwin Sachdeva, Mr Arie Parnham, Dr Pedro Oliveira
Applications Deadline: 12:00pm Monday 23rd November 2026
Interviews: Friday 5th February 2027 (in Manchester)
Start date: September 2027
Project Keywords: Penile cancer, Clonal evolution, Tumour microenvironment
Research Opportunity: Clinical Research Training Fellowship leading to the award of PhD
Project Outline
Penile squamous cell carcinoma is a rare cancer in which spread to the lymph nodes is the major determinant of survival. Yet we still cannot reliably identify which primary tumours will metastasise, meaning many patients undergo invasive nodal staging without metastatic disease being found. This project asks a fundamental biological question: why do some regions of a penile tumour acquire the ability to spread?
The PhD will investigate how cancer-associated fibroblasts and immune cells shape metastatic evolution. The student will reanalyse published single-cell penile cancer datasets to identify conserved fibroblast programmes, then develop a seven-colour multiplex imaging assay and apply it to an established 52-patient cohort with existing spatial immune maps. These data will be integrated with spatial genomics from a unique tissue collection.
Multiple mapped regions from primary tumours, together with matched lymph node metastases, will undergo low-pass whole-genome sequencing to reconstruct clonal relationships and determine whether tumour regions most closely related to metastasis occupy a distinct stromal and immune niche. The project is embedded within one of Europe’s largest specialist penile cancer services at The Christie and integrated with the University of Manchester and Manchester Cancer Research Centre. This provides access to rare clinical samples alongside expertise in tumour immunology, digital pathology, cancer genomics, bioinformatics and evolutionary analysis.
The student will gain multidisciplinary training in single-cell data analysis, multiplex imaging, spatial pathology, tissue genomics, bioinformatics and tumour evolution, while developing an independent research question at the interface of laboratory science and clinical translation. We are looking for an ambitious, curious and collaborative researcher who wants to understand how cancers spread and use that knowledge to improve patient care. The project offers a supportive multidisciplinary environment and a strong platform for a future career in translational cancer research.
Applications for this project are now open. Please complete your application on The University of Manchester website.
About Professor Vijay Sangar (project Lead Supervisor)
Professor Sangar graduated from the University of Manchester and then went onto to complete his surgical and urological training (FRCS (Urol) in London, The North West and Strasbourg, before taking up his Consultant post at Manchester University NHS Trust and The Christie in 2007. He is internationally renowned for his practice in penile surgery, especially cancer. He also has significant expertise in urological cancer diagnostics and surgery for complex pelvic and bladder cancers.
Professor Sangar’s research interests are mainly in penile and bladder cancer. He has led the team in building probably the largest penile cancer biobank in the world. He was appointed Professor of Surgery at the Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre in 2018. Current Funding exceeds £3 million and encompasses laboratory and clinical research locally, nationally and internationally.
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 NHS 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 5th October 2026
- Application deadline (all projects): 12:00pm Monday 23rd November 2026
- Clinical Interviews: Friday 5th of February 2027 (in Manchester)
- Start date: September 2027 with flexible starts for clinicians
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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