"Early Cancer Institute Non-Clinical PhD Studentships 2026"

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:

The Harding Distinguished Postgraduate Scholars/Michael Cowan Foundation Non-Clinical PhD Studentship

The 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.

Six projects are available - see the project titles below and the further information document for full project descriptions. Applicants are encouraged to select two projects and rank in order of preference using 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

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.

Eligibility

The studentship funding covers students with UK Home tuition fee status only. For more information on Home tuition fee status please visit the UKCISA website. 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.

How to apply

Application closing date: 7th January 2026.

Before applying please ensure that you meet, or expect to meet our PhD entrance requirements here, then submit a full PhD application via the University of Cambridge Postgraduate Applicant Portal. When making your application, you should:

• Select to commence study in Michaelmas term 2026 (October 2026).
• Add project identifier 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). Please note, 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 and 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.

For general enquiries about these PhD studentships or the application process, please contact the Department of Oncology Postgraduate Education Team at: postgradadmin@oncology.cam.ac.uk.

Please quote reference RD48052 in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.