Could a simple oral fluid sample help identify patients at greatest risk of developing oral cancer?
Precision Liquid Biopsy for Molecular Risk Stratification of Oral Potentially Malignant Disorders
We are seeking an enthusiastic and motivated doctoral researcher to join an interdisciplinary research team at Ulster University, exploring how innovative oral fluid sampling technologies and molecular diagnostics could improve the identification and monitoring of patients at risk of oral cancer.
Oral potentially malignant disorders can sometimes progress to cancer, but predicting which lesions will undergo malignant transformation remains a major clinical challenge.
This exciting project will investigate how novel hydrogel-based sampling technologies, molecular biomarkers and machine learning can be combined to develop new approaches to oral cancer risk assessment.
Building on our Epifluidix™ diagnostics research, the successful candidate will join the PHAROS Research Group in the School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, with opportunities to engage with wider translational and international research activities through the Centre for International Health Innovation & Partnerships (CIHIP).
What does the studentship offer?
- Full tuition fee coverage and an annual maintenance stipend of approximately £22,000 for three years.
- An additional research training support grant of approximately £900 per year.
- Interdisciplinary training in biomaterials, molecular biology, precision diagnostics and data science.
- Opportunities to contribute to research with the potential to improve future cancer risk assessment and patient care.
Who should apply?
We welcome applications from graduates in biomedical sciences, pharmacy, dentistry, molecular biology, biotechnology, biomaterials and other relevant disciplines. Applicants should normally hold, or expect to obtain, a first-class or upper-second-class honours degree, or meet the University's alternative qualification criteria.
Funding eligibility: UK and Irish nationals, or applicants with qualifying UK immigration status, subject to the published residency and other scholarship requirements.
📅 Application deadline: Friday 8 January 2027, 4pm
🎓 Anticipated start: September 2027
🔗 Full project details, eligibility and application information:
https://www.ulster.ac.uk/doctoralcollege/find-a-phd/3b-biomedical-sciences/1903827
Informal enquiries: Dr Aaron J. Courtenay, Senior Lecturer in Clinical Pharmacy, Ulster University
Please feel free to circulate this opportunity widely through your mailing lists, student networks, newsletters, websites and social media channels.
We would particularly welcome applications from motivated graduates interested in translating advances in biomaterials and molecular diagnostics into future improvements in patient care.