REACH – radiation effects to auditory, cognition and hormone profile in childhood brain tumour survivors
Closing date: 23/11/2026
Clinical Research Training Fellowship: REACH – radiation effects to auditory, cognition and hormone profile in childhood brain tumour survivors
Lead Supervisors: Professor Martin McCabe
Co-Supervisors: Dr Shermaine Pan, Professor Marianne Aznar, Dr Jenna Littlejohn, Professor Ed Smith, Dr Mat Lowe, Professor Gabrielle Saunders
Applications Deadline: 12:00pm Monday 23rd November 2026
Interviews: Friday 5th February 2027 (in Manchester)
Start date: September 2027
Project Keywords: Radiation effects, brain tumour, childhood survivors
Research Opportunity: Clinical Research Training Fellowship leading to the award of PhD
Project Outline
Radiotherapy remains pivotal in curing paediatric brain tumours, but survivors can face significant, life-changing late effects, e.g. neurocognitive decline, sensorineural hearing loss, and endocrine dysfunction. Yet little is known about how dose deposition drives the extent of these side-effects, or which sub-structures are truly responsible for the sequelae. A clearer understanding would enable better-optimised radiotherapy plans that spare the most vulnerable structures in the developing brain, and would help clinicians design individualised follow-up and mitigation strategies for each child and family.
This PhD builds on the BRAINatomy programme grant (SU2C/CRUK Pediatric Grand Challenges), which aims to optimise cognition in children treated with radiotherapy. You will build on our recent discoveries, including the identification of a new structure at risk (PMID: 41831792), and help translate them into clinical practice. You will work across three linked strands namely neurocognitive, endocrine, and hearing late effects, each seeking to identify, define, and spare the true structures at risk. Drawing on BRAINatomy data from Manchester and our partners at St Jude Children’s Research Hospital (US) and UMC Groningen / Princess Máxima Center (Netherlands), you will investigate these questions in high-quality, multi-institutional datasets.
The project suits a clinical candidate with a background in clinical oncology. Some programming skills (or a willingness to learn) are essential. You will receive training in radiotherapy, including its most recent developments (Proton Beam Therapy), data science, and the design and leadership of prospective clinical studies, working at the intersection of clinical oncology, medical physics, and advanced image analysis. You will join an international, highly multidisciplinary supervisory team within the BRAINatomy research group.
Applications for this project are now open. Please complete your application on The University of Manchester website.
About Professor Martin McCabe (project Lead Supervisor)
“My research is focused around children and young adults with brain tumours and sarcomas. My goal is to use observational and randomised evidence to drive changes in international practice that will improve survival of poor risk brain tumours and sarcomas, and reduce toxicity in good risk tumours. A major focus of my work is the analysis of epidemiological diagnostic, treatment and outcome data collected through the English national cancer registry, with a particular interest in identifying inequalities in treatment and survival. In the brain tumour sphere, my academic contribution centres around changing practice through mechanistic understanding of disease and clinical trials. I have contributed to the development of the first randomised trial in adults with medulloblastoma, and the evaluation of SMO inhibitors in primary treatment. I lead the collaborative BRAINatomy project, which investigates mechanisms of cognitive damage in childhood brain tumour survivors.“
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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