Biomedical Science, Cancer Biology: Nanobody-based precision targeting tools for theranostic applications in gynaecological cancers (RS982)

Funding Providers: Swansea University 

Subject Area: Cancer Biology, Translational Oncology, Cancer Immunology, Molecular and Cellular Biology, Biotherapeutics and Protein Engineering 

Project Start Dates:  

• October 2026 
• January 2027 

** (Please see the note below regarding potential later start dates.) 

**In exceptional circumstances, and subject to the discretion of the University and/or the relevant funding body, a deferral of offer may be granted to the next available enrolment period. Such deferral will typically not exceed a duration of three calendar months from the originally stipulated commencement date. Please note that only one deferral may be considered, and any such deferral is not guaranteed. 

Supervisors: 

• SU: Prof Deya Gonzalez 

• SU: Prof Lewis Francis 

• HMRI: Professor Chih-Chi Andrew Hu 

Aligned programme of study: 

• Biomedical Sciences FMHLS, Swansea University & Houston Methodist Research Institute, Texas, Collaborative P.hD.

Mode of study: Full-time 

Place of study:  

• Swansea University (Singleton Campus) 
• Houston Methodist Research Institute

 (Time spent at both universities)

Project description: 

Nanobody-based precision targeting tools for theranostic applications in gynaecological cancers 

Swansea University and Houston Methodist Research Institute (HMRI) are pleased to offer a fully-funded Swansea University Strategic Partnership Reseach Scholarship (SUSPRS) for full-time doctoral students to it’s nineth cohort, commencing in October 2026.

Swansea University (Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Science) and Houston Methodist (Neal Cancer Center) are offering a fully funded international PhD studentship investigating next-generation nanobody engineering for precision targeting in ovarian cancer. Led by Professor Deya Gonzalez (Swansea University), an expert in translational gynaecological oncology and advanced therapeutic development, and Professor Chih-Chi Andrew Hu (Neal Cancer Center), a leader in nanobody engineering, cancer biology and molecular therapeutics, this project will investigate whether engineered nanobodies can overcome the biological and physical barriers that currently limit antibody-based therapies in solid tumours.

During the first 15 months at Swansea University, the successful candidate will identify and validate clinically relevant ovarian cancer surface antigens using patient-derived clinical samples, tumour slices, advanced three-dimensional tumour models and integrated genomic analyses. The remaining 21 months at Houston Methodist Hospital will focus on nanobody discovery and engineering, functional epitope mapping, tumour–immune interactions, and evaluation of novel nanobody-based imaging and therapeutic strategies in immune-competent preclinical ovarian cancer models. This unique international PhD provides exceptional training spanning translational oncology, molecular biology, cancer immunology, protein engineering, advanced therapeutics, genomics, imaging and preclinical cancer models.

The successful candidate will work within one of the world's largest medical centres and will have opportunities to publish in leading international journals, present at major conferences, and contribute to the development of next-generation theranostic technologies for ovarian cancer. 

Open to UK and International applicants only.

Applicants for this PhD must have achieved, or be expecting to achieve, a 1st class UK undergraduate degree (or equivalent international qualification), or a 2:1 UK undergraduate degree and a Distinction in a UK master’s degree (or international equivalent). 

English Language: 

IELTS 6.5 Overall (with no individual component below 6.5) or Swansea University recognised equivalent. Full details of our English Language policy, including certificate time validity, can be found here. 

Please note that the programme requires some applicants to hold ATAS clearance, further details on ATAS scheme eligibility are available on the UK Government website.   

ATAS clearance IS NOT required to be held as part of the scholarship application process. Successful award winners (as appropriate) are provided with details as to how to apply for ATAS clearance in tandem with a scholarship course offer  

If you have any questions regarding your academic or fee eligibility based on the above, please email pgrscholarships@swansea.ac.uk with the web-link to the scholarship(s) you are interested in. 

Available to UK and International applicants.

This scholarship covers the full cost of tuition fees and an annual stipend at UKRI rate of (£21,805 for 2026/27) - October 2026 onwards 

Additional research expenses of up to £500 per year will also be available. 

To apply, please complete the entire application form here 

Applications may be submitted in Welsh and any application submitted in Welsh will be treated no less favourably than an application submitted in English. Please refer to the University’s Welsh Language Policy on Awarding Grants 

To be considered for this scholarship award the following steps are also required.  

1) In section ‘Programme Related Information’ please input the relevant RS Code for the scholarship award i.e. RS892 

2) In section ‘Research’ you will see ‘Proposed project title/studentship title’* (Mandatory)  

• In ‘Proposed project title/studentship title’ please input: 
  • the RS Code, RS892  
  • the scholarship title  
• Please leave Proposed Supervisor field blank  
• Please leave Research Project (if applicable) blank  
• In ‘Do you have a proposal to upload? *’(Mandatory) Please select Yes  
• Then upload copy of advert (you can save the advert by clicking print, and then print to pdf) 

3) In section ‘Funding information’ please choose the option ‘Scholarship Funding’ only. Please ensure no other options are selected.  

*It is the responsibility of the applicant to list the above information accurately when applying, please note that applications received without the above information listed will not be considered for the scholarship award.  

If you’ve previously applied for this programme, the system will display an “Application Submitted” warning and block a new submission. In this case:  

1. Apply for the same course with the next available start date (e.g., select January if October is unavailable). 
2. Email pgrscholarships@swansea.ac.uk with your student number and the relevant scholarship RS code, requesting the start date be amended to match the advert. 
3. Admissions staff will then update your application accordingly.

Important: If you have previously applied for the same programme & intake, do not re‑apply using a different email address. Applications submitted with an email address that differs from the one used in your original application will not be accepted or considered. 

One application is required per individual Swansea University led research scholarship award; applications cannot be considered listing multiple Swansea University led research scholarship awards.  

NOTE: Applicants for PhD/EngD/ProfD/EdD - to support our commitment to providing an environment free of discrimination and celebrating diversity at Swansea University you are required to complete an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Monitoring Form in addition to your programme application form.    

Please note that completion of the EDI Monitoring Form is mandatory; your application may not progress if this information is not submitted. 

As part of your online application, you MUST upload the following documents (please do not send these via email):  

• CV 
• Degree certificates and transcripts (if you are currently studying for a degree, screenshots of your grades to date are sufficient)  
• A cover letter including a ‘Supplementary Personal Statement’ to explain why the position particularly matches your skills and experience and how you choose to develop the project.  
• One reference (academic or previous employer) on headed paper or using the Swansea University reference form. Please note that we are not able to accept references received citing private email accounts, e.g. Hotmail. Referees should cite their employment email address for verification of reference.  
• Evidence of meeting English Language requirement (if applicable - please note that you do not need to hold a valid English Language test at time of application, as any offer made can be conditional upon the appropriate level of English. Please find further information on what we can accept via our English Language policy pages here). 
• Copy of UK resident visa (if applicable)  
• Confirmation of EDI form submission 

Informal enquiries are welcome; please contact Prof. Deya Gonzalez 

*External Partner Application Data Sharing – Please note that as part of the scholarship application selection process, application data sharing may occur with external partners outside of the University, when joint/co- funding of a scholarship project is applicable.