PhD Studentship: Precision biomarker discovery for kidney tumours

PhD Studentship: Precision biomarker discovery for kidney tumours

The UCL DSIS is a collaborative and cross-disciplinary environment where clinicians, scientists, engineers, and allied health professionals are constantly striving for innovative approaches to treatment and evaluation. Our research spans the full translational pathway, which is reflected in the multidisciplinary nature of our team. Our aim is to improve patient and population health, and the delivery and the quality of healthcare.

We achieve this through improving our understanding of the biological, psychological and social determinants of health and clinical outcome, and through the development, implementation and evaluation of novel interventions. DSIS reaches across three London campuses bringing together three major research departments: Targeted Intervention (Bloomsbury), Surgical Biotechnology (Royal Free), and Orthopaedics & Musculoskeletal Science (Stanmore). The Division holds a Silver award for the Athena Swan Charter which recognizes advancement of gender equality and aims for representation, progression and success for all. Further information on the Division can be found at

About the role

Key points for the role: The PhD is clinically motivated discovery science at the interface of biomolecular analysis, translational research, and patient impact. Focus: biomarker discovery and validation for liquid biopsy in kidney (renal) cancer, aiming for earlier, less invasive detection and improved stratification. Specific biological source: extracellular vesicles (EVs). Study design: profiling molecular biomarkers from EVs in renal cancer patients and matched/relative control groups. Validation: Validation in case and control groups and determine translability.

The advert will close on 24/07/2026 at 23:59 GMT.

Interview will be held on 04/08/2026.

For enquiries about this role, please e mail Prof Maxine Tran () and Prof Hirak K Patra (). If you need reasonable adjustments or a more accessible format to apply for this job online or have any queries about the application process, please contact the HR Team at

About you

This PhD is jointly supported by Maxine Tran (Professor of Urology, Department of Surgical Biotechnology) and Hirak Patra (Professor of Precision Nanosystems and Advanced Therapeutics, Department of Surgical Biotechnology), based at UCL's Royal Free Campus.

You will join a highly collaborative environment spanning academic and clinical perspectives and will have the opportunity to:

• contribute to rigorous biomarker discovery workflows, from experimental design to data interpretation
• work with biologically relevant samples and clinically motivated questions
• develop an independent research programme under supportive supervision
• build a strong scientific profile through dissemination, collaboration, and professional development

What we offer

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits some of which are below:

• 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)
• Additional 5 days' annual leave purchase scheme
• Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
• Relocation scheme for certain posts
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
• Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service

Visit to find out more.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

As London's Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world's talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL's workforce. These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women. Our department holds an Athena SWAN Silver award, in recognition of our commitment and demonstrable impact in advancing gender equality.