PhD Studentship: Richard Elphick Studentship in Modelling Progression Risks in Barrett's Oesophagus

Overview

The University of Cambridge is inviting applications for the Richard Elphick Studentship, a fully funded PhD studentship held at Trinity College and established by friends and family in memory of Richard Elphick. The research topic is modelling progression risks in Barrett's oesophagus, under the supervision of Professor Rebecca Fitzgerald in the Department of Oncology and Professor Nora Pashayan in the Department of Public Health and Primary Care. Professor Fitzgerald's group is internationally known for work on Barrett's oesophagus, including a non-endoscopic capsule sponge test, and Professor Pashayan's group leads in quantitative methods for risk-based cancer screening.

What you will do

Oesophageal adenocarcinoma is the most common oesophageal cancer in the UK and US and has a five-year survival rate below 20 percent, though outcomes improve with early detection. Barrett's oesophagus is an asymptomatic precursor that is monitored so that dysplasia can be treated or cancer found earlier, but most cases remain undiagnosed. The Cytosponge offers a cheaper, GP-based alternative to endoscopy. The project will use large multicentre datasets to build a Markov multistate model of Barrett's progression, estimating transition risks and including patient and disease factors to predict individual cancer risk and personalise surveillance intervals. Microsimulation studies will compare fixed and risk-based surveillance and evaluate endoscopy against Cytosponge-based approaches. Results will be turned into a clinical decision-support and visualisation tool.

Who can apply

Applications are welcome from UK and overseas candidates who meet the entry requirements for the PhD in Oncology.

What you get

The studentship starts in the 2027-28 academic year and gives full funding for 3.5 years, including tuition fees at either the UK Home or Overseas rate, a maintenance stipend at the applicable UKRI rate and a research emolument.

How to apply

Applicants apply for the PhD in Oncology through the university's applicant portal, entering the project title and supervisors' names and showing in their statement of interest how their skills match the project. A research proposal is not required, but a blank document must be uploaded in the proposal section. Applicants must choose to be considered for funding, select the Richard Elphick Studentship and name Trinity as first-preference College.

Key dates

The closing date is 8 December 2026.