PhD studentship: Defining the role of the pioneer factor FOXA1 in hormone-dependent cancer

Supervisor: Professor Jason Carroll

Department/location: Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute

Deadline for application: 17^th October 2025

Course start date: 1^st October 2026

Overview

Professor Jason Carroll wishes to recruit a student to work on the project entitled: “Defining the role of the pioneer factor FOXA1 in hormone-dependent cancer”.

For further information about the research group, including their most recent publications, please visit their website at https://www.carroll-lab.org.uk/

This is a unique opportunity for PhD study in the world-leading Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute (CRUK CI), to start a research career in an environment committed to training outstanding cancer research scientists of the future.

The Institute’s particular strengths are in genomics, computational biology and imaging; and significant research effort is currently devoted to cancers arising in the breast, pancreas, brain, and colon. We now aim to expand our use of AI to generate new research hypotheses and explore further areas of cancer biology. Our Core Facilities provide researchers with access to state-of-the-art equipment, in-house expertise and training.Scientists at CRUK CI aim to understand the fundamental biology of cancer and translate these findings into the clinic to benefit patients.

There are around 100 postgraduate students at the Cambridge Institute, who play a vital and pivotal role in its continuing success. We are committed to providing an inclusive and supportive working environment that fosters intellectual curiosity and scientific excellence.

If you are interested in finding out more about our groundbreaking scientific research, please visit our website at https://www.cruk.cam.ac.uk/

Project details

FOXA1 is a pioneer factor in Estrogen Receptor positive breast cancer (which constitute 75% of all breast cancer cases) and prostate cancer. FOXA1 can associate with compacted chromatin to facilitate opening of the chromatin and subsequent recruitment of nuclear receptor transcription factors, such as Estrogen Receptor (ER) and Androgen Receptor (AR). The FOXA1/ER pathway in ER+ breast cancer and the FOXA1/AR transcriptional pathway in prostate cancer are the defining and driving mediators in these two major cancer types. Since FOXA1 is the ‘foundation block’ of the ER and AR pathways in breast and prostate cancer, respectively, it has been an attractive drug target, since all known treatment resistance mechanisms are downstream of, and dependent on FOXA1. However, FOXA1 has been a difficult protein to study for technical reasons. We have developed a novel tool to be able to screen all FOXA1 amino acids, using saturation mutagenesis screens, in order to identify amino acid residues that are important for FOXA1 to function. We aim to use this approach to identify post-translational modifications (PTMs) on FOXA1 that are critical for its ability to cause tumour growth and metastasis, with the goal of finding novel ways of therapeutically blocking FOXA1. Current Mass Spectrometry approaches have been unable to assess most of the FOXA1 protein for PMTs, but new Mass Spectrometry methods such as ‘top-down’ approaches permit an unprecedented opportunity to identify all PTMs that exist on this protein. We have recently acquired state-of-the-art Mass Spectrometry equipment that permits a comprehensive identification of all the FOXA1 PTMs. The project will involve coupling the saturation mutagenesis screens with novel Mass Spec approaches to discover and functionally characterise critical amino acids on the FOXA1 protein. The long-term goal is to discover novel ways of regulating FOXA1 and potentially treating people with hormone-dependent breast and prostate cancer.

Eligibility

We welcome applications from both UK and overseas students.

Applications are invited from recent graduates or final-year undergraduates who hold or expect to gain a First/Upper Second Class degree (or equivalent) in a relevant subject from any recognised university worldwide.

Applicants with relevant research experience, gained through Master’s study or while working in a laboratory, are strongly encouraged to apply.

How to apply

Please apply via the University Applicant Portal. For further information about the course and to access the Applicant Portal, visit:

https://www.postgraduate.study.cam.ac.uk/courses/directory/cvcrpdmsc

You should select to commence study in October 2026.

Additional information

To complete your online application, you will need to answer/provide the following:

Choice of project and supervisor

Please ensure that you name the project (with reference code) and supervisor, where indicated. You are permitted to apply for up to three projects.

Course-specific questions

You will be asked to give details of your Research Experience (up to 2,500 characters)
Your Statement of Interest (up to 2,500 characters) should explain why you wish to be considered for the studentship and what qualities and experience you will bring to the role.

Supporting documents

Applicants will be asked to provide:

Academic transcripts
Evidence of competence in English (if appropriate)
Details of two academic referees
CV/resume

Deadline

The closing date for applications is 17^th October 2025 with interviews expected to take place in the week beginning 5^th January 2026.

University of Cambridge

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Defining the role of the pioneer factor FOXA1 in hormone-dependent cancer