Understanding the immunological and microbiome-associated mechanisms of response and resistance to radiotherapy in rectal cancer
Closing date: 23/11/2026
Leeds-Manchester Clinical Research Training Fellowship: Understanding the immunological and microbiome-associated mechanisms of response and resistance to radiotherapy in rectal cancer
Lead Supervisors: Professor Nick West
Co-Supervisors: Professor Tim Illidge, Dr Ellie Cheadle, Dr Alice Westwood
Applications Deadline: 12:00pm Monday 23rd November 2026
Interviews: Friday 5th February 2027 (in Manchester)
Start date: September 2027
Project Keywords: Rectal cancer, radiotherapy, immunology
Research Opportunity: Leeds-Manchester Clinical Research Training Fellowship leading to the award of PhD
Project Outline
Rectal cancer is common with nearly 12,000 new cases diagnosed in the UK every year. Patients with locally advanced disease are currently offered pre-operative radiotherapy (with or without chemotherapy) to reduce the risk of local disease recurrence and improve survival. Patients show variable benefit from such pre-operative radiotherapy, however, there are no validated predictive biomarkers routine clinical use that accurately indicate which patients are likely to respond. In addition, the precise mechanisms of radiotherapy response and resistance are not well understood limiting the investigation of novel treatment strategies.
This exciting project will utilise the internationally recognised strengths in radiotherapy, immunology, microbiome and pathology research across Leeds and Manchester to investigate the mechanisms of radiotherapy response and resistance in rectal cancer and identify novel predictive biomarkers to personalise patient treatment. The universities of Leeds and Manchester both host CRUK Radiation Research Centres of Excellence (RadNet) with ongoing collaborative research projects across the supervisory team utilising the unique collection of rectal cancer radiotherapy trial cohorts held in Leeds. The supervisory team have recognised strengths in understanding the immunomodulatory effects of radiotherapy in the tumour microenvironment, clinical trials, digital pathology/artificial intelligence and the cancer microbiome.
The successful candidate will work with tissue samples collected from national and international clinical trials of rectal cancer radiotherapy regimens in both early-stage disease (e.g. TREC, STAR-TREC, APHRODITE) and locally advanced disease (e.g. CR07, ARISTOTLE, ARTEMIS, TIMM-RAD). They will investigate the role of the local tumour immune response in response and resistance using a combination of digital pathology analysis and multiplex immunofluorescence across both laboratories. In addition, they will utilise the infrastructure created in Leeds through involvement in the OPTIMISTICC CRUK grand challenge to investigate the role that the cancer microbiome plays in radiotherapy response and resistance.
Applications for this project are now open. Please complete your application on The University of Leeds website.
About Professor Nick West (project Lead Supervisor)
Nick West is Professor of Gastrointestinal Pathology and Head of the Division of Pathology & Data Analytics at the University of Leeds. He is also Consultant Histopathologist at Leeds Teaching Hospitals NHS Trust and clinical lead for pathology at the North East and Yorkshire Genomic Laboratory Hub. He is the lead pathologist for 13 colorectal cancer clinical trials and runs a translational research laboratory focussing on surgical specimen quality, tumour morphology, genomic biomarkers and digital pathology/AI.
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 Leeds website.
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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