Program Overview

Introduction to the Black Leaders in Cancer & Convergence PhD Studentships 2026

The Black Leaders in Cancer & Convergence PhD Studentships 2026 is a unique opportunity for students to pursue a fully funded four-year PhD in cancer research. This program is a collaboration between the Black Leaders in Cancer Studentship and the Convergence PhD Programme.

About the Funding Schemes

There are two funding schemes available:

1. Black Leaders in Cancer Studentship

The Black Leaders in Cancer PhD Scholarship Programme provides a unique opportunity for students from Black heritage backgrounds to pursue a fully funded four-year PhD in cancer research. In addition to the Centre's bespoke training programme, students also benefit from a comprehensive programme of mentoring and networking opportunities led by the Black in Cancer and the Windsor Fellowship.

• Eligibility: This programme is open to applicants who self-identify as being from a Black heritage background, including mixed backgrounds (e.g., Black African, Black Caribbean, Black Other, Mixed background including Black heritage).
• Requirements:
  • Hold UK Home tuition fee status
  • Submit an initial application to the Windsor Fellowship
  • Apply via the ICR Recruitment Portal
  • Meet the PhD academic entry criteria

2. Convergence PhD Studentship

The Convergence PhD Studentship supports interdisciplinary PhD training across engineering, physics, cancer biology, and data science. The CRUK Convergence Science Centre will fund a four-year PhD studentship, offering a broad range of convergence-science projects addressing cancer-related research questions.

• Eligibility: Applicants must:
  • Hold Home tuition fee status
  • Meet academic entry requirements
  • Apply via the ICR Recruitment Portal

What do the Studentships Cover?

Funding is available only for candidates with UK Home tuition fee status.

• A first or upper second-class honours degree (or equivalent international qualification)
• A Master's degree and/or relevant work experience in an appropriate discipline (desirable)
• Appropriate English language proficiency
• Funding available:
  • A generous tax-free fixed stipend of Ł24,219 per year (for 3 years), subject to 1.75% indexation per year
  • PhD registration fees at the CRUK UK rate (Ł4,662 with 1.75% indexation per year)
  • Research running costs
  • Access to our Centre's bespoke training programme

Application Process

• All applicants: Apply via the ICR Recruitment Portal
• Indicate up to three preferred projects
• Upload all required documents (transcripts, personal statement, etc.)
• Additional step for Black Leaders in Cancer applicants: Submit an application to the Windsor Fellowship by the deadline
• Only one application to the ICR portal is required, even if applying to both schemes

Application Timeline

1. Application Deadline 26 January 2026
2. Supervisor Shortlisting January to March 2026
3. Panel Interviews 20 March 2026
4. Offers & Start Date Successful candidates receive offers shortly after the interview. PhD programmes commence October 2026.

PhD Project Opportunities

Previously advertised projects can be found below:

• Mechanistic integration of replication origin control and chromatin remodelling at centromeres: implications for chromosomal instability in colorectal cancer
  • Supervisory team: Professor Christian Speck and Professor Jessica Downs
• Development and validation of digital twin models as explanatory and predictive tools in people with brain tumours
  • Supervisory team: Dr Matt Williams, Dr Fernando Carceller, Dr Pedro Mediano, and Dr Gregory Scott
• Digital Twins for biologically adaptive MR-guided radiotherapy
  • Supervisory team: Dr Andreas Wetscherek, Professor Wayne Luk, Dr Katharine Aitken, and Dr Shaista Hafeez
• Durable T cell reprogramming in anti-PD1 therapy: single-cell mechanisms and biomarkers of response
  • Supervisory team: Dr Ehsan Ghoran, Dr Ben O'Leary, Professor Becca Asquith, and Dr Barbara Bravi