PhD Studentship: AI solutions to guide treatment strategies for Cancers of Unknown Primaries (CUPs)

Applications are invited for a 3.5-year funded PhD studentship at the Sussex Cancer Research Centre available from September 2025 under the supervision of  Dr Frances Pearl, School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex. It will be co-supervised by Prof Laurence Pearl FRS FMedSci, (Sussex), Dr Max Whibley (RSCH) & Dr Eleni Ladikou (BSMS).

In general, the types of treatment available to a cancer patient is determined by the type or ‘site’ of the original tumour. However, for 3-5% of all cancers, termed 'cancer of unknown primary' or 'CUP’s,' the original tumour site is unknown, making it particularly challenging to decide on the best treatment strategy for the disease as it presents at diagnosis, in secondary sites. For a minority of CUP patients (15–20%), the tumour can be attributed to a distinct clinical entity that benefits from primary site-specific treatment; however, the remaining 80–85% of patients belong to a group with a poor CUP prognosis.  In Sussex, despite extensive clinical & diagnostic work-up, including physical examination, radiological imaging, and histopathological investigation, approximately 300-500 of the cancers diagnosed annually, are designated as CUPs. 

The major aim of this proposal is the development of artificial intelligence (AI) methods to aid the diagnosis & inform treatment strategies to improve the outcome for Sussex CUP patients. 

Research Environment:  This project is a collaboration between the bioinformatics group at the University of Sussex, Brighton and Sussex Medical School (BSMS) and the CUP Multi-Disciplinary Team (MDT) at the Royal Sussex County Hospital (RSCH), University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust.  At Sussex the student will be trained in genomics, programming, bioinformatics, big data and data science, cancer biology and therapeutics.  They will attend weekly online MDT meetings with the CUP team and will be trained in the interpretation of pathology & radiology outputs, at the RSCH and/or Brighton and Sussex Medical School.

Informal enquiries about the project can be made to Frances Pearl f.pearl@sussex.ac.uk

How to apply:

Please submit a formal application using the online admissions portal attaching a CV, degree transcripts and certificates, and 2 academic referees. A research proposal is not required. Instead, please upload a personal statement describing your subject areas of interest, skills & previous experience, motivation for Doctoral Research, future goals, and why you are applying to this project.

On the application system select Programme of Study – PhD Biochemistry. Please select ‘funding obtained’ and state the supervisor’s name where required. Applicants with overseas fee status need to provide evidence showing how they will fund the difference between Home and International tuition fees (approx. £18k per year).

The ideal candidate would have a first degree in Life Sciences (e.g. Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences etc) and a Master’s degree in a computation discipline (e.g. Bioinformatics, Data Science etc) or a proven ability in computer programming.  Alternatively, the project would suit a candidate from a mathematical or computation discipline (e.g. Computer Science, Maths, Statistics, Data Science) who is happy to be trained in cancer biology. You may also be considered for the position if you have other professional qualifications or experience of equivalent standing.

Candidates for whom English is not their first language will require an IELTS score of 6.5 overall, with not less than 6.0 in any section or equivalent proficiency - English language requirements

Applications are particularly welcomed from candidates with protected characteristics – e.g., from Black & other ethnic minorities – who are under-represented in postgraduate research at our institution.

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