Tissue mechanics as regulator of therapy resistance in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC)
Closing date: 23/11/2026
Clinical Research Training Fellowship: Tissue mechanics as regulator of therapy resistance in pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC)
Lead Supervisors: Professor Claus Jorgensen
Co-Supervisors: Professor Magnus Rattray, Professor Colin Lindsay
Applications Deadline: 12:00pm Monday 23rd November 2026
Interviews: Friday 5th February 2027 (in Manchester)
Start date: September 2027
Project Keywords: PDAC, Therapy resistance, Advanced patient derived models
Research Opportunity: Clinical Research Training Fellowship leading to the award of PhD
Project Outline
Pancreatic Ductal Adenocarcinoma is a treatment recalcitrant tumour, driven by activation of the proto-oncogene KRAS. Recent development and clinical testing of KRAS inhibitors has demonstrated clinical benefits in second-line pre-treated patients, however development of resistance and disease progression is inevitable. While mechanisms of resistance remain poorly defined, genomics data have failed to identify genetic mechanisms in up to 60% of patients and mechanistic studies have revealed a role of the mechano-regulator YAP.
How the tissuemicroenvironment, tissue stiffness and response to KRAS inhibitors is mechanistically linked remains poorly understood. The objective of this proposal is to mechanistically interrogate the pathways by which tissue rigidity engages KRAS signalling and to develop approaches to alleviate such bypass mechanisms. This is a fundamental mechanistic lab-based project using a combination of tissue analysis, in vitro human patient derived models, synthetic hydrogel scaffolds, cell signalling analysis and CRISPR perturbation
Applications for this project are now open. Please complete your application on The University of Manchester website.
About Professor Claus Jorgensen (project Lead Supervisor)
Dr Claus Jorgensen is a senior group leader and Deputy Director at the Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute and Professor of cancer biology at The University of Manchester. Dr Jorgensen obtained his PhD at the University of Southern Denmark in 2005, after which he moved to Toronto, Canada for his postdoctoral training with Dr Tony Pawson at the Samuel Lunenfeld Research Institute. In 2010 Dr Jorgensen started his independent career as a team leader at The Institute of Cancer research, London UK, supported by a CRUK Career Establishment Award and moved to the CRUK Manchester Institute in 2014. Dr Jorgensen has been the Chair of the Pancreatic Cancer UK Research Strategy Group since 2025.
The work in Dr Jorgensen’s lab focuses on unravelling how the evolving tumour microenvironment control tumour cell function and response to therapy in pancreatic cancer. The lab employs several techniques including profiling and functional mechanistic analyses to address these relationships.
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.
Clinical Research Training Fellowships
Discover our various opportunities for clinicians looking to undertake a period of PhD training in a cancer-relevant field.
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 Clinical PhD Student
Watch our short video to see what it's like to be a Clinical Research Training Fellow in Manchester.