Cancer Research UK has established five graduate training programmes in medical chemistry at universities across the UK. Each programme will provide general training in aspects of cancer biology and allow the student to work on a chemistry research project in a cancer-relevant area.
Please note - all applicants for these studentships must apply directly to the host department, not to Cancer Research UK.
The Edinburgh and St Andrews Research School of Chemistry (EaStCHEM)
The centre will be one of the top institutions in the UK for post-graduate training in medicinal and cancer-related chemistry. It has the aim of training the best students to pursue a career in cancer research and medicinal chemistry, either in academia or industry. PhD studentships are available for October 2008 working on specific projects related to cancer medicinal chemistry. Studentships will either be at St Andrews or Edinburgh.
Eligibility for the bursaries
Studentships will be awarded on the basis of academic excellence. Successful candidates will hold, or should expect to obtain, a First Class or Upper Second Class MChem. or a First Class BSc. in chemistry or medicinal chemistry.
Contact details
For more information on the course, and for contact details to ask about specific projects, please see the EaStCHEM website. For further details and information on how to apply, please contact Carolyn McAllister.
University of Cambridge
The PhD training is built around a rigorous inter-disciplinary four-year PhD with research projects primarily based with supervisors engaged in synthetic chemistry in the Department of Chemistry. Students will also have a biological supervisor from one or more participating department, e.g. Oncology, Pharmacology, Biochemistry, Obstetrics and Gynaecology and the MRC Cancer Cell Unit.
Year 1 comprises taught material in chemistry, cancer biology and pharmacology through lectures and Hot Topics plus three 12-week lab projects chosen from the research areas of participating departments. Students progress into PhD research after satisfactory completion of Year 1.
Eligibility for the bursaries
Applicants should hold (or expect to obtain) a first class or an upper-second class honours degree (or equivalent) in Chemistry, or a course with significant chemistry content. A strong background in organic chemistry and an enthusiasm to work on the chemistry-biology interface is desirable.
There are no restrictions regarding eligibility and home fees will be paid for UK/EU citizens. Non-EU citizens should refer to the funding section on the programme website.
Contact details
Please see the programme website for more information, application packs and details of the laboratories offering projects.
For specific enquiries please contact Dr Rebecca Myers.
Please see the programme website for details of future application deadlines.
Imperial College London
This programme will apply research towards the discovery of novel drugs and imaging agents for the detection and treatment of cancers. Affiliating departments and institutions are Cancer Medicine and Division of Cell and Molecular Biology at Imperial College London, Chemistry at Emory University, USA and Division of Cell and Molecular Biology at the University of Sheffield.
Successful applicants will be studying towards the degree of PhD at Imperial College, London for an overall period of four years in the department of Chemistry. Research will be undertaken in the laboratories of the Synthesis section in the Chemistry Department at Imperial College and will be under the supervision of one mentor from the Synthesis Section of the Department of Chemistry and an additional co-mentor in Cancer Medicine or Life Sciences Departments at Imperial College London.
The selected students will undertake additional research training in medicinal chemistry and computer assisted drug design in Emory University, Atlanta, Georgia, USA and in the Cancer Laboratories in AstraZeneca, UK. A structured training programme of lectures, seminars and interactions with internationally renowned practitioners of cancer medicine at Imperial College will support the research project.
Eligibility for the bursaries
To be eligible for funding, applicants must be EU nationals with a good first class degree in chemistry with specialisation in organic synthesis (typically at masters level). Candidates should demonstrate excellent training in practical organic chemistry and a keen interest in postgraduate study within chemical synthesis and drug design.Contact details
For more information on the programme, please see the Imperial College website.
Interested students should email applications to Professor Anthony GM Barrett. These must include a full curriculum vitae, a covering letter stating why the applicant wishes to study in the area of Cancer Medicine and the names and full addresses (including email) of two academic referees. Imperial College requirements need to be met and applicants will also need to apply via the normal college application route.
Northern Institute for Cancer Research (NICR) and School of Natural Sciences, Newcastle University
The primary objective of the programme is to provide a comprehensive training in medicinal chemistry, as applied to the design, synthesis and biological evaluation of small molecule anticancer agents. Students will participate in a postgraduate training programme designed to provide a broad understanding of anticancer medicinal chemistry, through the combination of an integrated taught component and a PhD research project.
Full time laboratory-based research will commence in semester 2, with the students continuing to participate in postgraduate training courses, research seminars and a number of one-day medicinal chemistry workshops.
The students will also undertake a sandwich placement in a separate research institution, during the third year of their PhD. The overall goal is to produce doctoral-level medicinal chemists with specific expertise in antitumour drug synthesis, a comprehensive understanding of cancer and its treatment, and an ambition to pursue a career in anti-cancer medicinal chemistry.
Eligibility for the bursaries
Applicants should hold, or expect to obtain, a first class or an upper-second class honours degree (or equivalent) in chemistry, medicinal chemistry, or a related subject.
Successful candidates will be selected by formal interview and from references, after appraisal of research aptitude and career aspirations.
Contact Details
For more information on this training programme and application details, please see the Northern Institute for Cancer Research website or contact Professor Roger J Griffin.The closing date for applications is 30 April 2009.
University of Oxford
The four-year studentship consists of a one-year taught course including two short research projects with a Master's degree being awarded. This is followed by a three-year research project. There are many projects to choose from both for the first-year research placements and for the three-year project.
Students will have a dedicated mentor for the taught part of the course and will have both a chemistry and biology supervisor for the research elements. They will also be associated with a specific Oxford college and will have a college supervisor for more general supervision and pastoral care.
For more information on this training programme and application details, see the Oxford University Department of Pharmacology website.
