MRes+PhD Cancer Centre studentships

Seven (5 + 2 Black Leaders studentships) CRUK Cambridge Centre MRes + PhD studentships are available for non-clinical applicants, to commence in October 2026.

About the role

Students will apply for one of the 7 studentships and, if successful, will start in October 2026. Two of the seven studentships are recruited through the Black Leaders In Cancer PhD Scholarship programme.

One of the main principles of the Centre is the open exchange of scientific knowledge and skills across the many disciplines involved in cancer science, creating a culture of continuous learning and development for all members. By being part of the Centre, students will also have the opportunity to attend a number of lecture series, workshops and meetings aimed at facilitating and strengthening collaborations between complementary disciplines and across different departments and institutes.

Projects

• Employing human cancer 3D Epithelioids to validate drug target candidates and improve radiotherapy responses
• Multi-Agent AI framework for multimodal cancer data
• Mechanistic dissection of response and resistance to AR-targeted PROTACs and STEAP2 antibody–drug conjugates in prostate cancer using patient-derived models
• Inhibition of CIP2A for the treatment of triple-negative breast cancer

All projects available for 2026 can be viewed on this link.

Funding

The CRUK Cambridge Centre MRes + PhD studentships include full funding from Cancer Research UK to cover the University Composition Fee (at Home (UK) rate), a travel and consumables budget, and a generous stipend, which is currently £22,113 per annum.

Requirements

• Applications must be made via the University of Cambridge Postgraduate Admissions website.
• Applicants must upload a personal statement (max 1000 words) outlining:
  • What motivates you to choose this course
  • Two research projects you find interesting and why
  • Something about you and your life experience beyond your academic studies
• The statement should be uploaded as a PDF to the online Applicant Portal in the Course Specific Questions section of the course application.
• If your fee status is classified as overseas, you must also apply for the University funding competition to obtain funding for the higher fee rate.
• Applicants must meet the University of Cambridge entrance requirements.

Application Process

Applicants will be informed of the outcome of their application via email by late December 2025. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend a day of interviews in early January 2026. These interviews are likely to be online. However, if the interviews are held in person, reasonable travel costs and one night's stay in a hotel will be reimbursed with prior authorisation.

You will be interviewed by the Training Programme Directors and a panel of Principal Investigators from the CRUK Cambridge Centre. Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their interview at the beginning of February 2026 and successful applicants will receive a formal offer letter by mid-February 2026.

The deadline for applications for entry in 2026 is 18th November 2025.

For general enquiries about the CRUK Cambridge Centre non-clinical MRes + PhD studentships or the application process, please contact the CRUK Cambridge Centre Postgraduate Training Programme office on training@cancer.cam.ac.uk.