Fully-funded PhD Studentship: Single-cell spatial multi-omics for cancer biology

University of Cambridge; Cambridge; On-site; GBP 18,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Cambridge invites applications for a PhD position in the Wang Group. The project focuses on interdisciplinary single-cell and spatial multi-omic approaches to uncover cancer cell vulnerabilities linked to ecDNA biology.

The successful candidate will develop methods bridging molecular biology, genomics and computation, while receiving training across optics, coding and cancer biology to suit their strengths.

Qualifications

• Undergraduate or Master's degree in biophysics, biology, physics, chemistry, bioengineering, physical chemistry, biomedical sciences, or a related discipline.
• Experience in molecular biology techniques is helpful but not required.

Responsibilities

• Develop and apply single-cell and spatial multi-omic approaches linking molecular signatures to cancer cell phenotypes.
• Build tools to link molecular mechanisms of gene regulation to cellular phenotypes in cancer cells.
• Dissect how ecDNA is organised, regulated and exploited in cancer; contribute to computational analysis.

Education

Biophysics

Biology

Physics

Chemistry

Bioengineering

Physical chemistry

Biomedical sciences

Related discipline

Tools

Python

R

MATLAB

Fluorescence microscopy

Image analysis

Sequencing analysis

Mammalian cell culture

Nucleic acid work

Immunofluorescence staining

Job description

Supervisor: Dr Guiping Wang

Course start date: 1st October 2027

Project details

For further information about the research group, please visit our website at https://www.cruk.cam.ac.uk/research-groups/wang-group/

In the Wang Group, we develop and apply interdisciplinary technologies that bridge high-resolution spatial biology and genome-wide discovery. By integrating multi-omic sequencing and quantitative imaging, we work towards a multi-scale understanding of how molecular composition and subcellular organisation shape cell function, plasticity and disease. A central biology focus of the lab is extrachromosomal DNA (ecDNA) circular DNA elements that drive oncogene amplification, intratumour heterogeneity and therapeutic resistance across many aggressive solid cancers.

This PhD project will help develop and apply cutting-edge single-cell and spatial multi-omic approaches that link molecular signatures to cancer cell vulnerabilities. Working at the interface of molecular, chemical and optical method development and cancer biology, the student will build tools that connect molecular mechanisms of gene regulation to cellular phenotypes in cancer cells, and use them to dissect how ecDNA is organised, regulated and exploited in cancer.

The balance between method development, cancer biology and computational analysis will be shaped around your strengths and interests. Applicants from a physical-sciences or computational background should not be deterred by the biology, nor biologists by the optics and coding: training will be provided in whatever you have not done before.

References/further reading

• Tang J*, Weiser NE*, Wang G* et al. Enhancing transcription replication conflict targets ecDNA-positive cancers. Nature 635, 210-218 (2024). PMID: 39506153
• Wang G, et al. Spatial organization of the transcriptome in individual neurons. bioRxiv doi: 10.1101/2020.12.07.414060
• Wang G*, Simon D*, et al. Structural plasticity of actin-spectrin membrane skeleton and functional role of actin and spectrin in axon degeneration. eLife (2019). PMID: 31042147
• Wang G, Moffitt JR, Zhuang X. Multiplexed imaging of high-density libraries of RNAs with MERFISH and expansion microscopy. Sci Rep 8, 4847 (2018). PMID: 29555914
• Moffitt JR*, Hao J*, Wang G* et al. High-throughput single-cell gene-expression profiling with multiplexed error-robust fluorescence in situ hybridization. Proc Natl Acad Sci USA 113, 11046-11051 (2016). PMID: 27625426

Preferred skills/knowledge

We are looking for a curious, motivated and collaborative student with an interest in interdisciplinary science at the intersection of molecular biology, genomics, microscopy and computation. Applicants should hold, or expect to gain, an undergraduate or Master's degree in biophysics, biology, physics, chemistry, bioengineering, physical chemistry, biomedical sciences, or a related discipline.

Any of the following experience would be helpful, although we do not expect any one applicant to have all of it:

• Laboratory experience in molecular or cell biology for example mammalian cell culture, nucleic acid work, or immunofluorescence staining.
• Hands-on experience of fluorescence microscopy, or of optics and instrument building.
• Exposure to next-generation sequencing, either at the bench or in analysis.
• Programming in Python, R or MATLAB, and any experience of analysing image or sequencing data.
• A previous research project, internship or Master's thesis in a related area.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.