Cancer Research UK Manchester Centre: Fully Funded PhD Opportunities in Cancer Sciences

Fully Funded PhD Opportunities in Cancer Sciences

One in two of us will develop cancer in our lifetime. But thanks to life-saving research, like that conducted at the Cancer Research UK Manchester Centre, more of us are surviving for longer.

With a PhD in cancer sciences from Manchester, you can help drive research that creates a future free from the burden of cancer.

Apply now for our 2027 Cancer Sciences PhD cohort

Applications are now open for our fully-funded Manchester Cancer Research Centre (MCRC) – Cancer Research UK (CRUK) Manchester Centre PhD Scheme.

Opportunities are available across various cancer disciplines, including clinical and non-clinical PhD research.

You can choose from three different PhD pathways:

Non-Clinical Studentships

Our Non-Clinical Studentships give you the freedom to explore a range of opportunities in basic and discovery research while developing the skills to build an academic career in cancer sciences.

We welcome applicants without a background in science but with the ambition and motivation to develop a career in cancer-related research.

These Studentships are fully funded for four years, covering:

• Project running costs
• University tuition fees (at the UK/Home rate)
• An annual stipend to help with living costs, currently £22,500 a year

Apply for a Non-Clinical Studentship

Clinical Research Training Fellowships

Our Clinical Research Training Fellowships (CRTF) allow clinicians to undertake a period of full-time PhD training in a cancer-relevant field.

You must be a post‑registration clinician, ideally with a specialist post in a related subject. It is expected that you will return to a UK training programme after completing your PhD.

The fellowships are fully funded for three years, covering:

• Project running costs
• University tuition fees (at the UK/Home rate)
• An appropriate salary in line with your current NHS salary

Apply for a Clinal Research Training Fellowship

The Leeds-Manchester Clinical Research Training Fellowships

A collaborative fellowship with The University of Leeds, focusing on molecular and digital pathology and cross-disciplinary clinical trials. You’ll benefit from research expertise and facilities at both institutions and work to develop joint research ambitions.

You must be a post-registration clinician and ideally have a specialist post in a related subject, to apply. It is expected that you will return to a UK training programme after completing your PhD.

This fellowship is fully funded for three years, covering:

• Project running costs
• University tuition fees (at the UK/Home rate)
• An appropriate salary in line with your current NHS salary

Apply for a Leeds-Manchester CRTF

Key dates

• Application deadline (all projects): 12:00pm Monday 23rd November 2026
• Non-Clinical Interviews: Friday 15th January 2027 (in Manchester)
• Clinical Interviews: Friday 5th February 2027 (in Manchester)
• Start date: September 2027 with flexible starts for clinicians

Eligibility requirements (all projects): Please check before applying on the CRUK Manchester Centre website

Why study in Manchester?

You’ll work in world-class facilities, including the Oglesby Cancer Research Building and the £150 million Paterson Building, and collaborate with leading researchers and clinicians at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust, Europe’s largest single-site cancer hospital. You will develop your own research discoveries in an ambitious cancer research environment focused on improving outcomes for people affected by cancer.