Part-Time MRes + PhD in Cancer Biology for Clinician Scientists

The CRUK Cambridge Centre offers a part-time 2-year MRes for NIHR-funded Academic Clinical Fellows, combining two long laboratory rotations, intensive short courses in cancer genomics, transferable skills and industry shadowing, plus a 36-week cancer biology lecture series. Successful completion and proposal defense leads directly into a 3-year PhD in cancer biology.

Eligibility Criteria:

• Clinical Status: NIHR Academic Clinical Fellows (or equivalent) with protected research time supported by their Training Programme Director.

• Academic Qualifications: Relevant clinical experience; appointment as ACF ensures salary support.

• Funding: CRUK covers MRes tuition (staff rate) and consumables; PhD funded via the CRUK Clinical Research Training Fellowship.

Funding Details:

• MRes Phase (Part-Time, 24 months):

  • Fees at staff-rate (CRUK)

  • Consumables allowance

• PhD Phase (Full-Time, 36 months):

  • Salary, fees and consumables via CRUK Clinical Research Training Fellowship

Sample Rotation Projects (2025):

• Effects of hypoxia on lung cancer phenotype

  Supervisor: Dr Emma Rawlins (Physiology, Development & Neuroscience)

• Brain tumour integration into functional networks & post-resection cognition

  Supervisor: Dr John Suckling (Psychiatry)

• Microbiota-derived metabolites augmenting immunotherapy

  Supervisor: Dr Virginia Pedicord (Medicine)

Asterisks denote projects available as part-time clinical rotations.

How to Apply & Further Information:

• Apply via: University of Cambridge Postgraduate Admissions portal

• Personal Statement (PDF, ≤ 1,000 words):

  1. Motivation for the part-time MRes + PhD route

  2. Two preferred rotation projects and reasons

  3. Personal background beyond academic record

• Contacts: [email protected]

• Course Info & Projects List