Early Cancer Institute Non-Clinical PhD Studentships 2026

University of Cambridge; Hartford; On-site; GBP 23,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious UK university is inviting applications for a non-clinical PhD studentship in cancer research, starting October 2026. Candidates must have a good upper second-class honours degree or equivalent. The role includes attending interviews and selecting preferred projects from a list related to early cancer detection. Generous funding covers tuition and a stipend of £22,500 annually for 3.5 years.

Benefits

Stipend starting at £22,500 per annum

Funding for project consumables and training costs

Qualifications

• Enthusiastic and motivated individuals capable of thinking and working independently.
• Ability to engage with project supervisors and rank project preferences.

Responsibilities

• Commence study in Michaelmas term 2026.
• Attend an online interview in January 2026.

Education

Good upper second-class honours degree from a UK university or equivalent

Job description

Application Process

You are invited to commence study in Michaelmas term 2026 (October 2026). Add the project identifiers of your selected first and second choice projects and RD48052 to the “Proposed Supervisor” field. Check all supporting documents (CV, References and Transcripts, if available) are uploaded by the studentship closing date (7th January 2026). It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure all supporting documents are submitted on time; failure to do so will result in rejection of your application. Prospective candidates are encouraged to contact the respective supervisors to discuss the project in greater detail.

Interview & Selection Process

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an online interview in January 2026. You will be interviewed by a panel of Principal Investigators from the Early Cancer Institute. Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their interview after completion of all the interviews. The successful applicant will receive a formal offer letter by April 2026.

Funding & Eligibility

The studentship funding covers students with UK Home tuition fee status only. Applicants should have or shortly expect to obtain a minimum of a good upper second-class honours degree from a UK university, or an equivalent standard from an overseas university, in a relevant discipline. The Early Cancer Institute at the University of Cambridge invites applications from highly motivated and enthusiastic individuals capable of thinking and working independently for a 3.5 year non‑clinical studentship funded at the UK home rate. Two studentships funded by generous philanthropy are available:

• Harding Distinguished Postgraduate Scholars / Michael Cowan Foundation Non‑Clinical PhD Studentship
• Trinity Cambridge Research / Michael Cowan Foundation Non‑Clinical PhD Studentship

The students will be based in one of the Research Groups of the Early Cancer Institute, Department of Oncology, University of Cambridge.

Projects

Six projects are available. Applicants are encouraged to select two projects and rank them in order of preference. Use the project identifier in the “Proposed Supervisor Field” on the University of Cambridge Postgraduate Applicant Portal.

• Utilising circulating cell free DNA & RNA signatures of immune activation for early cancer detection. Supervisors: Primary – Dr Alexander Frankell. Secondary – Prof Jamie Blundell. Project identifier: AFJB
• Optical coherence tomography as a platform for renal tumour profiling and therapeutic response assessment. Supervisors: Primary – Dr Danielle J. Harper. Secondary – Dr Thomas J. Mitchell. Project identifier: DHTM
• Kidney cancer early detection using multimodal AI: from development to clinical validation. Supervisors: Primary – Dr Mireia Crispin‑Ortuzar. Secondary – Prof Grant Stewart. Project identifier: MCGS
• Discovering novel genetic determinants of clonal haematopoiesis to intercept its progression to cancer. Supervisors: Primary – Dr Siddhartha Kar. Secondary – Prof George Vassiliou. Project identifier: SKGV
• Integrating phylogenomics and patient risk across large cohorts to uncover features driving early aggressive kidney cancers. Primary – Dr Thomas Mitchell. Secondary – Dr Tim Coorens (EMBL‑EBI). Project identifier: TMTC
• Do disease‑associated somatic mutations entrain distinct hyperlocal immune microenvironments in the liver? Supervisor: Dr Matt Hoare. Project identifier: MWHO

Funding Details

These studentships commence in October 2026. They provide funding for tuition fees at the UK rate, an index‑linked maintenance stipend for 3.5 years starting at £22,500 per annum, and an allocation towards project consumables and training costs.