Organisation/Company University of Sussex Research Field Chemistry » Biochemistry Researcher Profile First Stage Researcher (R1) Positions PhD Positions Application Deadline 31 Oct 2026 – 23:59 (Europe/Vienna) Country United Kingdom Type of Contract Temporary Job Status Full-time Hours Per Week 40 Offer Starting Date 1 Jan 2027 Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Horizon Europe – MSCA Marie Curie Grant Agreement Number 101311592 Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? Yes
Offer Description
Training program to engage flexible and disordered protein targets for therapeutic development:The oncogene β-catenin as showcase
University of SussexProject Title: Elucidating the impact of β-catenin inhibitors on normal haematopoieticdevelopment, Wnt signaling and acute myeloid leukaemia
Objectives: 1. Test the impact of β-catenin inhibitors on the self-renewal and differentiation capacity ofhaematopoietic stem/progenitor cells (HSPC). 2. Characterize the effect of β-catenin inhibitors on Wntsignaling in haematological cells. 3. Assess efficacy of β-catenin inhibition in models of humanleukaemia.
Project Overview: Wnt signaling is important for the self-renewal/differentiation capacity of HSPC, andaberrant levels, localization, and activity of the central mediator β-catenin are frequently observed inacute myeloid leukaemia (AML) where β-catenin contributes to the emergence, maintenance and drugresistance of leukaemia stem cells. Previous reports suggest only very low levels of β-catenin activityare required to sustain normal haematopoiesis, making it an attractive therapeutic target; however,efforts to pharmacologically target the molecule have had limited success. WPs 2-6 will provide novelβ-catenin inhibitors which will be tested for safety and efficacy in WP7. The School of Life Sciences atUOS has existing ethical approval for the collection and storage of primary human cord blood (as asource of HSPC) and myeloid leukaemia patient samples for use in research in collaboration with theBrighton & Sussex Medical School and East Sussex NHS Trust. This study will firstly assess thesafety profiles of developed β-catenin inhibitors by testing their myelotoxicity in an optimized model ofin vitro HSPC culture. Furthermore, we will assess the capacity of β-catenin inhibitors to directly targetWnt signaling output in vitro through flow cytometric assessment of Wnt signaling reporter activity(BAR; β-catenin-activated-reporter) in myeloid cells. Finally, this project will adopt pre-clinical modelsof primary AML samples grown in co-culture systems to evaluate the capacity of novel β-catenininhibitors to specifically eradicate AML LSC populations through tracking of well-establishedimmunophenotypic markers.
Contribution to the overall research program: Safety and efficacy testing of β-catenin inhibitors andtesting in AML models.
Applicants of any nationality are welcome to apply. To be eligible for recruitment as an MSCA DoctoralCandidate, applicants must fulfil the following criteria at the date of recruitment:
- Education – you do not hold a doctoral degree and hold (or will shortly complete) a science Master’s degree (see individual project requirements), with excellent results, qualifying you for admission to the doctoral program of the respective host institution. The successful candidate must fulfil the admission requirements of the respective doctoral programme and will be enrolled in a doctoral programme during the project.
- Mobility – you must not have resided or carried out your main activity (work, studies, etc.) in recruiting beneficiary’s country for more than 12 months during the 36 months before your recruitment. Compulsory national service, holidays/short stays and time spent obtaining refugee status under the Geneva Convention4 are not considered for this purpose.
- Language & communication – excellent command of spoken and written English (min. B2 level). Ability to communicate results clearly to diverse audiences, both in writing and verbally.
- Motivation – motivation for multidisciplinary, international doctoral research, hands-on experimental work, mandatory academic/industy secondment(s), to publish research findings in international journals, present results at conferences and contribute to project deliverables. Willingness to contribute to project network-wide activities, communication, training events, and dissemination efforts.
- Technical skills – specific to the individual DC project (see individual project descriptions).
Specific Requirements
Contribution to the overall research program: Safety and efficacy testing of β-catenin inhibitors andtesting in AML models.
Languages ENGLISH Level Excellent
Research Field Chemistry » Biochemistry
Additional Information
Selection process
Applications will be assessed for eligibility and scientific/academic quality. Shortlisted applicants willbe invited to interview. The final selection will follow the open, transparent and merit-basedrecruitment principles of MSCA.
Additional comments
Salary: The position is funded by the Horizon Europe MSCA-DN project FlexCAT (Grant AgreementNo. 101311592) for three years. The selected candidate will be offered a competitive salarycomprising a Living Allowance (adjusted by the country correction coefficient), a Mobility Allowance,and, if applicable, a Family Allowance. All allowances are subject to applicable social securitycontributions and taxation.
Planned secondment: Host: MUG; Supervisor: Prof. Tobias Madl; Length: 4 months.
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