(MCRC Clinical) Understanding the effects of exogenous androgens on normal breast tissue – friend or foe?

About the project

About the Project Breast cancer incidence rises sharply in women before routine screening begins, and many cases in younger women may be preventable. Current prevention options, such as tamoxifen, can reduce the risk of oestrogen receptor-positive breast cancer but are not effective for all women and uptake is often limited by side effects. This PhD project will investigate whether activating the androgen receptor using testosterone could offer a new, potentially more tolerable approach to breast cancer prevention. The student will study how testosterone influences normal human breast tissue, asking whether it can reduce epithelial activity, remodel the surrounding stromal environment and alter hormone signalling pathways linked to breast cancer risk. The project will combine two complementary systems: breast tissue collected from gender-affirming mastectomies, including individuals exposed to testosterone before surgery, and an established ex vivo human breast tissue explant model that enables controlled testing of hormone dose, timing and reversibility. Using spatial imaging, immunofluorescence, gene and protein expression assays, and multi-omic analysis, the project will map how different cell populations respond to androgen exposure and whether responses vary between individuals. A key focus will be understanding whether testosterone-induced changes are consistent across normal-risk and increased-risk breast tissue, including tissue from women with familial or inherited risk factors. This studentship is intended for surgical trainees only, as the successful applicant will be trained in both the research programme and the surgical aspects of gender-affirming top surgery. Alongside this clinical training, the PhD will provide experience in human tissue research, advanced imaging, molecular profiling, data integration and translational cancer prevention biology. The findings will help determine whether androgen receptor targeting could be developed as a personalised prevention strategy for women at increased risk of breast cancer. Eligibility You must be a post-registration clinician and therefore must hold an MBChB degree or equivalent medical degree and ideally have a specialist post in a related subject, to apply for our Clinical Research Training Fellowships. It is generally expected that CRTFs will return to a training programme in the UK upon completion of their research degree. International applicants (including EU nationals) must ensure they meet the academic eligibility criteria (including English language) before contacting potential supervisors to express an interest in their project. Eligibility information can be found on the University's Country Specific information page. Before you Apply Applicants must make direct contact with preferred supervisors before applying. It is your responsibility to make arrangements to meet with potential supervisors, prior to submitting a formal online application. How to Apply Apply directly via this link: https://tinyurl.com/577zjazd or on the online application portal, select MCRC PhD Programme as the programme of study. You may only apply for one project within this scheme. Please ensure that your application includes all required supporting documents: Curriculum Vitae (CV) Supporting Statement Academic Certificates and Transcripts Incomplete or late applications will not be considered. Further details are available on our website: CRUK Manchester Centre PhD Training Scheme | Biology, Medicine and Health | University of Manchester Application Timeline Applications open: Monday, 5 October 2026 Application deadline: Monday, 23 November 2026 Interview date: Week commencing 11 January 2027 Start date: September 2027 Equality, diversity and inclusion are central to the University’s activities. The full statement can be found here: https://www.bmh.manchester.ac.uk/study/research/getting-started/equality-diversity-inclusion/”

Research areas