PhD Studentships in the Cell Biology of Cancer

As a world-leading cancer research centre, the CRUK Scotland Institute supports cutting edge work into the molecular mechanisms of cancer development. We provide an outstanding research environment, underpinned by state-of-the-art core services and advanced technologies with special emphasis on imaging and in vivo models.

We are looking for students with a very good degree in a Life Sciences subject and an aptitude for experimental work, who are also highly committed to pursuing a PhD and a career in cancer research. The Institute has an excellent reputation and success record in training its graduate students. Students, whilst being trained at the Institute working within our research groups, will matriculate with the University of Glasgow.

Our PhD studentships are for a maximum of 4 years, and currently provide students with an annual stipend of £21,000 and matriculation fees for home or overseas students.

PhD opportunities at the CRUK Scotland Institute will be advertised on this page and on our social media. 

Please note, once you have submitted your application and received an acknowledgement email, your references will be requested and we ask that these are sent to us within 2 weeks.

If you have any questions about the application process or our studentships in general, please contact us by email at phdstudentships@beatson.gla.ac.uk or see the FAQs below.

Visit our TRACC page to find out about current PhD opportunities for medical/dental students and clinicians. 

Other PhD studentship opportunities

CRUK Black Leaders in Cancer Scholarships

The programme is aimed at students from Black heritage backgrounds pursuing a PhD in cancer-related fields. A comprehensive programme of mentoring, career support, leadership training and networking led by the Windsor Fellowship and Black in Cancer, in addition to the support provided by our Centres, to drive your career forward and realise your full potential to beat cancer

Find out more here.

James McCune Smith PhD Scholarships 

The James McCune Smith Scholarships fund Black UK students to undertake PhD research at the University of Glasgow. They provide an enhanced experience through external mentors, placements, leadership training, community-building activities and networking opportunities. The Scholarships are named after James McCune Smith, who graduated from the University of Glasgow in 1837 as the first African American to receive a medical degree.

Find out more about this scholarship and how to apply here. 

College Futures PhD programme

The College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences (University of Glasgow) are launching the MVLS College Futures PhD Programme which will fund up to 12 PhD studentships, each providing 3.5 years of funding at UKRI stipend rates, home fees coverage, and up to £17.5k for consumables.

Starting in October 2025, these studentships will be for research aligned with the four MVLS 2033 themes; Fundamentals of Life, Advanced Diagnostics and Therapeutics, Health Inequalities, Planetary Health.

Deadline for applications: 12 January 2025

Projects with CRUK SI based supervisors:

Developing a new approach to cancer: modelling complex mutational cooperation and competition during tumour progression
Prof Dave Bryant, Dr Ke Yuan, Prof John Le Quesne, Prof Owen Sansom 

Investigating novel combinatory strategies for pancreatic cancer through integrated computational and experimental approaches
Dr Xiao Fu, Prof Jen Morton, Prof Huabing Yin

Novel histomorphological predictive biomarkers of prognosis and therapy response in pancreatic and lung cancers
Dr Ke Yuan, Prof David Chang, Prof John Le Quesne, Dr Christopher Walsh

Find the full project list and apply here.