About the BBSRC Yorkshire Bioscience Doctoral Training Partnership (YBDTP):
The YBDTP brings together world-class bioscience research and innovation, as well as excellence in doctoral supervision, across the Yorkshire and Teesside region. The YBDTP will fund postgraduate researchers at the Universities of Leeds, Sheffield, York, Bradford, Huddersfield, Hull, Leeds Beckett, Sheffield Hallam and Teesside forming a strong regional training partnership. In YBDTP you'll benefit from a regional doctoral training programme that has interdisciplinary collaboration at its core. The aim is to enable you to develop a range of research skills in biological, biotechnology and biochemical areas as well as equip you with core data analysis and professional skills that are necessary for bioscience research and related non-academic careers.
https://www.yorkshirebiosciencedtp.ac.uk
Project Description:
This fully funded PhD project offers the opportunity to investigate how the molecular motor myosin VI (MVI) contributes to DNA repair processes and cancer therapy. Transcription and DNA repair both require dynamic reorganisation of chromatin. Our recent discoveries show that MVI stabilises nuclear structures essential for transcription and may play a similar role at DNA double-strand breaks. Understanding how MVI functions in repair could open up new strategies to sensitise cancer cells to chemotherapy, reduce resistance, and improve patient outcomes.
You will use an interdisciplinary toolkit spanning cell biology, biochemistry, biophysics, and cancer biology. Techniques include single-molecule localisation microscopy, CRISPR genome editing, and protein biochemistry. The project also involves in vivo tumour xenografts, providing direct translational relevance. By combining state-of-the-art imaging with molecular and in vivo approaches, this project offers unique training in both mechanistic science and applied cancer research. Supervision will be provided by Professor Chris Toseland (Cancer Biophysics Sheffield), Dr Matt Newton (Biosciences Sheffield) and Professor Klaus Pors (Chemical Biology Bradford), bringing together complementary expertise in advanced imaging, nuclear motor proteins, and cancer drug discovery. You will join a collaborative, supportive research community in Sheffield, with world-leading single molecule facilities, along with an active, friendly and lively PhD student cohort, which hosts regular social events alongside networking and career development opportunities. Alongside first-class research training, you will benefit from personalised supervision, peer learning, professional development opportunities, and a supportive, inclusive lab culture. This project is ideal for motivated students interested in cutting-edge cancer biology, biophysics, and translational research.
For informal enquiries about the project, please contact Prof Chris Toseland (c.toseland@sheffield.ac.uk)
Link to website: https://sheffield.ac.uk/smph/people/academic/clinical-medicine/chris-toseland
Eligibility:
Open to International (including EU) and UK (home) students.
You can apply if you have, or are expecting to gain, at least an upper second-class honours degree or equivalent. Due to the interdisciplinary nature of this programme, we welcome applications if your background is in any biological, chemical or physical science or mathematics and are interested in using your skills in addressing biological questions. International students should check if they meet the entry requirements for the host university.
We aim to support the most outstanding applicants from outside the UK and are able to offer a very limited number of bursaries that will enable full studentships to be awarded to international (EU and non-EU) applicants. These full studentships will only be awarded to exceptional quality candidates, due to the highly competitive nature of this scheme.
The YBDTP is committed to recruiting extraordinary future scientists regardless of age, ethnicity, gender, gender identity, disability, sexual orientation or career pathway to date. We understand that commitment and excellence can be shown in many ways and have built our recruitment process to reflect this. We welcome applicants from all backgrounds, particularly those underrepresented in science, who have curiosity, creativity and a drive to learn new skills.
Not all projects will be funded; a limited number of candidates will be appointed via a competitive process.
English language: If English isn't your first language, you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability. Please see the English language requirements for the host university.
How to apply:
Application deadline: 5pm (UK time), Wednesday 7th January 2026
To submit your application, click on the link to the Expression of Interest form (also found in the Funding Notes section) of any of your chosen projects. You can apply for up to two YBDTP projects (which can be at different universities).
If you have any questions about the application process, please email YBDTP@leeds.ac.uk
If you have any questions about the project you are interested in, please email the project supervisor.
How we allocate:
Shortlisting will take place as soon as possible after the closing date and successful applicants will be notified promptly. If you're shortlisted, you'll be invited for an interview on a date to be confirmed in February 2025. You'll be notified as soon as possible after the interview dates whether your application has been successful, placed on a reserve list or unsuccessful. If you are successful, you'll be required to confirm your intention to accept the studentship within 10 days.
Terms and conditions:
The studentships are fully funded for four years, and you must complete your PhD in four years.
You'll receive the UKRI minimum doctoral stipend per year for your living costs, which is paid to you in regular installments. The UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) stipend is tax free and does not need to be paid back.
International students will need to have sufficient funds to cover the costs of their student visa, NHS health surcharge, travel insurance and travel to the UK as these are excluded from UKRI funding.