CRUK Manchester Centre PhD Training Scheme
The CRUK Manchester Centre manages a number of clinical and non-clinical PhD training opportunities in a multidisciplinary environment. These provide an exceptional opportunity for postgraduate researchers to develop a career in world-leading cancer research.
There are a range of research pathways within the training scheme that have been developed to meet the needs, academic background and research interests of candidates. Each one offers a unique opportunity to train and work alongside world-leading researchers in the field of cancer.
Current opportunities
Applications for entry in September/October 2017 are now being accepted for a number of projects that have been re-advertised. The closing date for applications is 12 April 2017.
Projects available
- Aged skin homeostasis and skin cancer prevention (Dr Amaya Viros)
- A bench to bedside workflow for repurposing drugs: Targeting the procoagulant systemic and tumour environment in breast cancer (Cliona Kirwan)
- Investigating the role of the epigenetic factor MOZ in normal haematopoiesis and leukaemia (Dr Georges Lacaud)
- Developing novel therapeutic approaches to enhance tumour-specific immunity in breast cancer (Dr Jamie Honeychurch)
- Personalised chemoprevention of breast cancer (Dr Sacha Howell)
How to apply
Applications should be submitted online via the University of Manchester online application form (select PhD Cancer Sciences) and include your CV, two reference letters (or names of referees) with a covering letter (500-750 words max) indicating your first choice project and explaining why you want to apply. Please also comment on your suitability for the post, giving an overview of your relevant experience and training.
Benefits
As a successful candidate you will benefit from a vibrant research environment and working alongside world-leading researchers.
As a student or training fellow you will experience:
- state-of-the-art facilities for cancer researchers and clinical trials support staff
- collaborations that provide a seamless link between basic, translational and clinical research to take findings from the laboratory to the clinic;
- generous stipends/salaries (role specific), University tuition fees and running expenses;
- an intellectually challenging, innovative and supportive environment;
- diverse and in-depth training programme in transferable skills leading to excellent career opportunities.
Criteria and funding
There are two routes for funding, depending on the type of PhD project and the student or fellow's career stage.
1. Clinical Research Training Fellowships
These Fellowships are usually three years in length, with the option to extend to four years under certain circumstances.
The Fellowship covers:
- running costs;
- University tuition fees (at the UK/EU rate);
- an appropriate salary in line with the candidate's current salary.
All applicants must:
- be post-registration clinicians and ideally have a specialist training post;
- have been resident and worked within the EEA (European Economic Area) for at least three years prior to application.
Applications from all nationalities are welcome. However, international candidates must provide evidence they can cover the tuition fee difference (approximately £16,000 per annum).
2. Non-clinical Studentships
These Studentships are four years in length and are aimed at applicants who are recent graduates or final year undergraduates.
The Studentships will cover:
- running costs;
- University tuition fees (at the UK/EU rate);
- an annual stipend (£19,000).
Candidates must hold, or be about to obtain, a minimum upper second class (or equivalent) undergraduate degree in relevant subject. A related master's degree would be an advantage.
Applications from all nationalities are welcome. However, international students must provide evidence they can cover the tuition fee difference (approximately £16,000 per annum).
For applicants whose first language is not English, you must supply an official IELTS or TOEFL transcript to support your application, or provide a date on which you will be taking a test. Please note the IELTS and TOEFL are only valid for two years. If your IELTS or TOEFL expires before the start of your programme, you will need to take another official English test before we can issue you with a CAS for your visa application. This is a requirement of the UK Border Agency. We require a minimum IELTS score of 6.5 overall or TOEFL (paper 577, internet 90). Each component of the English test should meet the minimum requirement of IELTS 5.5 in all components, TOEFL (paper 527, internet 72).
Postgraduate Research programmes commencing in September 2017
We are pleased that the Department for Education has now confirmed that EU students applying for university places in England in 2017/18 will continue to be eligible for student loans and grants, and entitled to home fee status for the duration of their course, even past the point that the UK leaves the EU.
Therefore, students wishing to undertake a PGR programme will be assigned the ‘home’ fee status for the duration of their programme.