PhD Studentships

Research training for life science graduates

The Cancer Research UK Scotland Centre offers a number of fully funded 4-year PhD studentships, providing the opportunity to undertake doctoral research within a range of leading laboratories. Each studentship includes a stipend of £22,894 per year from 01 October 2027, along with full tuition fees and research costs.

The programme brings together world-class researchers and clinicians across the University of Edinburgh and the University of Glasgow, including the Edinburgh Cancer Research, the CRUK Scotland Institute, and the School of Cancer Sciences. This collaborative environment supports a vibrant, interdisciplinary PhD experience, spanning fundamental discovery science through to translational research. Students benefit from access to cutting-edge facilities in genomics, mass spectrometry, advanced imaging, single-cell & spatial technologies, and computational biology.

One CRUK-funded studentship is available for entry in October 2027 as part of the Black Leaders in Cancer programme. Successful applicants will be registered at the University of Glasgow.

We welcome applications from outstanding graduates with at least an upper second-class degree (or equivalent) in a life sciences discipline, a strong interest in experimental research, and a clear commitment to a career in cancer research. Applicants must also meet the relevant English language requirements.

Black Leaders in Cancer in 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 and from 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:

a tax-free stipend of £22,894 per annum
tuition fees at UK rates
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 the University of Glasgow, to drive your career forward and realise your full potential to beat cancer.

Eligibility

The 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 University:

University of Glasgow: https://www.gla.ac.uk/postgraduate/research/cancer/#tab=entry

Applications will open in October 2026.

Stage 1 - Optional

The Windsor Fellowship is running an insight session this year:

14th October 2026 at 12:30 - 14.00

The session is an opportunity for candidates interested in the PhD programme to find oout more information and ask questions to our panel from the training centres, Cancer Research and Black In Cancer.

Stage 2

Apply to CRUK Black Leaders In Cancer studentship

SUBMIT YOUR WINDSOR FELLOWSHIP APPLICATION HERE

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 University of Glasgow

Application for th CRUK Scotland Centre will open in October 2026. Projects will be advertised on this page, FindAPhD.com and our social media.

Please remember that you will also have to complete Stage 2.