Closing date: 17/11/2025
Clinical Research Training Fellowship: Functional dissection of myelodysplastic syndrome disease progression
Lead Supervisors: Dr Justin Loke
Co-Supervisors: Prof.Tim Somervaille, Dr Kiran Batta
Applications Deadline: 12:00pm Monday 17th November 2025
Interviews: Week commencing 12th January 2026
Start date: September 2026
Project Keywords: Haematopoiesis, leukaemia, functional genomics
Research Opportunity: Clinical Research Training Fellowship leading to the award of PhD
Project Outline
Blood cancer often results from mutations in genes controlling normal stem cell development. Blood cancers derived from bone marrow provide a good model to study this process. Myelodysplastic syndrome (MDS) results from an accumulation of 4 genetic mutations in haematopoietic stem cells (HSCs) that allow them to out-compete healthy HSCs. During progression of MDS, one clone ultimately outcompetes others resulting in bone marrow failure and/or acute myeloid leukaemia (AML), both life threatening, outcomes.
Understanding how myelodysplastic HSCs outcompete healthy ones will allow us to design new treatments to prevent this from happening and inform monitoring strategies during disease evolution. Prior attempts to model the mutational complexity seen in human MDS clones have been limited by technical issues. We have developed a new transgenic mouse expressing a CRISPR enzyme that allows multiple, bespoke genetic edits in each HSC. We will then characterise these mutated HSCs to understand what effect they have on normal blood development. It is unclear whether specific combination of mutations together influence treatment outcomes: therefore, our second goal is to understand whether there are treatments that are dependent on these mutations interacting together.
You will benefit from training in a broad range of laboratory-based techniques ranging from molecular biology to animal work. In addition to an outstanding scientific training, you will have the opportunity for broad exposure to the clinical activity of The Christie Haematology Department which provides standard-of-care, and clinical trials. You will also benefit from integration into a highly translational environment including the use of primary patient samples to validate and inform the mechanistic studies. You will become an expert in the molecular genetics of myeloid disease, which is now fundamental to care for our patients. Finally, your experience will enable you to develop your own independent enquiries going forward.
Applications for this project are now open. Please complete your application on The University of Manchester website.
About Dr (Justin) Ching Loke (project Lead Supervisor)
Justin Loke is a clinician scientist and Institute Fellow at the CRUK Manchester Institute, where he is establishing his new group Myeloid Cancer Biology. He is a Consultant Haematologist at the Christie NHS Foundation Trust. His specialist interest is in the myeloid blood cancers including acute myeloid leukaemia (AML).
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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