Jul 21, 2025, 12:41

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