Research training for life science graduates
The Centre offers a number of 4-year PhD studentships, funded by Cancer Research UK, that are designed to give students an opportunity to complete a PhD in one of its wide range of excellent research labs. These provide students with a stipend of £22,499 from 1st October 2026 (to cover their living expenses) plus their university tuition fees and lab running expenses. Studentships are open to graduates with a very good degree in a life sciences subject, who have an aptitude for experimental work. Studentships typically start in September or October each year with the call for applications opening 7-8 months before.
Applications are invited from outstanding candidates to join a Cancer Research UK funded PhD programme at the Edinburgh Cancer Research Centre, University of Edinburgh, CRUK Scotland Institute and the School of Cancer Sciences, University of Glasgow. These are funded by the Cancer Research UK Scotland Centre, which brings together cancer scientists and clinicians from across the Universities of Edinburgh and Glasgow, delivering outstanding cancer research and improved patient care. The Cancer Research UK PhD programme is integrated into the research activities of the Centre with over 80 principal investigators contributing to this cross-disciplinary programme spanning from fundamental science to translational research. Research projects benefit from state-of-the art facilities for genomics, mass spectrometry, advanced microscopy, single cell technologies, and from advanced computational and informatics capabilities.
Black Leaders in Cancer PhD studentships
About the programme
As part of Cancer Research UK’s commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Research, they have developed the Black Leaders in Cancer programme in consultation with the research community and in close collaboration with expert partners, Black in Cancer and the Windsor Fellowship.
This programme provides a unique opportunity for students from Black heritage backgrounds to pursue a 4-year fully-funded PhD in cancer research. Those students will benefit from being part of our CRUK Scotland Centre’s training and research environment as well as a comprehensive programme of mentoring, career support, leadership training and networking led by the Windsor Fellowship and Black in Cancer. By helping candidates from Black heritage backgrounds build their career in cancer research-related fields, this exciting programme is designed to make an immediate and tangible impact on the diversity of the research workforce.
What is funded?
- This programme fully funds a four-year PhD studentship, including:
- tax-free stipend of 22,499.98 + 1.75% indexation in Year 2, 3 & 4
- tuition fees at home or international rate
- consumables funding, including budget for researcher development
- mentoring, career support, leadership training and networking – led by the Windsor Fellowship and Black in Cancer, in addition to the support provided by your host instiution to drive your career forward and realise your full potential to beat cancer.
Eligibility
Our programme is aimed at students from Black heritage backgrounds pursuing a PhD in cancer-related fields.
This scheme is open to people who self-identify as being from a Black heritage background, including a mixed background, for example: Black African, Black Caribbean, Black Other, Mixed background (to include Black African, Black Caribbean or other Black backgrounds)
You must also meet the general entry requirements for the PhD programme of the hosting Universities:
Stage 1 (Optional) - Join an insight session
The Windsor Fellowship is running an insight sessions this year:
The sessions are an opportunity for candidates interested in the PhD programme to find out more information and ask questions to our panel from the training centres, Cancer Research and Black in Cancer. You can learn about the programme and the insight sessions here.
Stage 2 - Apply to CRUK Black Leaders in Cancer studentship
Submit a formal application to the Windsor Fellowship, who will confirm with us that you are eligible for the programme
Stage 3 - Apply for your studentship position at the CRUK Scotland Centre
Applications for the CRUK Scotland Centre will open in October 2025, projects will be adverstised on the CRUK Scotland Centre website and FindAPhD.com.
Please remember that you will also have to complete stage 2 in addition.