The Cambridge Cancer Centre is a dynamic collaboration of academic researchers, clinicians, and the pharmaceutical and biotech industries based in the Cambridge area. We combine world-class science and technology with excellent patient care to pioneer new ways to prevent, detect and treat cancer. By working together across different disciplines, we are breaking down the barriers between the laboratory and the clinic, enabling patients to benefit from the latest innovations in cancer science.

To encourage this interdisciplinary and collaborative approach to cancer research, the Cambridge Cancer Centre is offering an exciting range of 6 PhD studentships to commence in October 2015. These projects cover diverse areas of study ranging from cancer biology, chemistry, biochemistry and pharmacology to physics, mathematical modelling and bio-engineering.

The Cambridge Cancer Centre PhD studentships are funded by Cancer Research UK and the MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology and include full funding for University and College fees, a travel and consumables budget and a generous stipend. In addition, the Cambridge Cancer Centre and the Cambridge Commonwealth, European and International Trust provide joint funding for one overseas PhD student each academic year.

The Cambridge Cancer Centre PhD studentship programme reflects the unique collaborations between diverse members of the Cambridge Cancer Centre, with most projects being jointly supervised by Co-investigators from different departments and institutes. By being part of the Cambridge Cancer Centre, students will also have the opportunity to attend a number of lecture series, workshops and meetings aimed at facilitating and strengthening collaborations between different disciplines and across different departments and institutes.

We invite applications from UK, EU and non-EU students. Please ensure you meet the entrance requirements and follow the application process detailed below. In particular, you must specify which project(s) you wish to be considered for or your application will be rejected.

The deadline for applications is 30 November 2014.

Successful applicants will be invited for interview in the week commencing 12 January 2015.

Examples of PhD projects

Each of the project titles below links to a pdf giving an outline of the project. The Lead Investigator for the project is listed first, followed by the Co-investigator(s), with their departmental or institute affliations.

Crossing Modalities in Cancer Imaging: improving diagnostics by linking light microscopy with PET/MRI using novel mathematical methods
Dr Carola-Bibiane Schönlieb (link is external) (Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics (DAMTP) )
Dr Stefanie Reichelt (link is external) (Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute)
Prof Kevin Brindle (link is external) (Department of Biochemistry and Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute )

Biomimetic Niche Models of Glioblastoma
Dr Yan Yan Shery Huang (link is external) (Department of Engineering) 
Dr Sara Piccirillo (Department of Clinical Neurosciences at John van Geest Centre for Brain Repair)
Prof Simon Tavaré (link is external) (Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute and Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics (DAMTP))

Entrance requirements

We invite applications from UK, EU and non-EU students. 

Competition for admission to our graduate programme is intense and we require all our graduate entrants to meet the following requirements:

Academic
Already have, or expect to gain at least a 2i honours degree or an equivalent standard from an overseas university in a relevant subject. Please see the University of Cambridge Graduate Admission’s website (link is external) in order to check the equivalence guidelines for qualifications in non-UK countries.

English language
Demonstrate competence in the English language at a very high level before they begin their proposed course of study. The University requires all applicants who are non-UK nationals to demonstrate competence in the English language at a very high level before they begin their proposed course of study. Adherence to this requirement is strict. You must be able to demonstrate that you are able to communicate in English at a level and in an idiom suitable to the subject.

Whether or not you will need to take a language test will depend on a number of conditions; please see the University of Cambridge Graduate Admission’s website (link is external) to check whether you will be required to take a language test.

Funding

Cambridge Cancer Centre PhD Studentships include full funding for University and College fees, a travel and consumables budget of £13,000 and a stipend of £19,000 per annum.

How to apply

To apply for a Cambridge Cancer Centre PhD studentship, you will need to complete the following steps:

Step 1. Check that you meet the entrance requirements requirements:
You must already have or expect to gain at least a 2i honours degree or an equivalent standard from an overseas university in a relevant subject and fulfil the University’s English language conditions.

Step 2. Complete a CCC PhD Studentship application form:
The application form includes the following sections, all of which must be completed:
• Project selection
• Statement of interest
• CV
• Contact details for two academic referees

You can download the CCC PhD Studentship Application Form here CCC PhD application form word document.

Step 3. Obtain two academic references from the referees named on your application form.
References should be:
• provided on headed notepaper from the referee’s academic organisation
• dated and
• signed

Step 4. Submit your application:
Save your CCC PhD Studentship application form and two academic references as one PDF file entitled: Surname_Forename.pdf and submit admin@cambridgecancercentre.org.uk (link sends e-mail) by 30 November 2014. Late applications will not be accepted.

Interview and selection process

Applicants will be informed of the outcome of their application via email by 31 December 2014.

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend a day of interviews at the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Institute (link is external) in the week commencing 12 January 2015. Reasonable travel costs will be reimbursed.

You will be interviewed by the Cambridge Cancer Centre Non-clinical PhD Studentship Committee/panel and the Principal/Lead Investigator for your selected project(s). You will also be given the opportunity to visit the relevant department(s) or institute(s) for your selected project(s).

Following your interview you will be informed of the outcome via email by (date).

If you are successful in securing a CCC PhD Studentship, you will receive a letter of offer informing you that you will now need to apply for admission as a PhD student to the University of Cambridge. PhD applications are made using an online Graduate Student Application Form (GRADSAF) and all relevant application details will be provided in the letter of offer.

Full information about how to apply for a PhD place can be found on the University’s Graduate Admissions website (link is external).

If you have any enquiries about the CCC PhD studentships or the application process, please contact admin@cambridgecancercentre.org.uk (link sends e-mail).