UK : PhD Studentship 2010 at the Institute of Cancer Research

Studentships funded by The Institute of Cancer Research will be supported for four years. The non-taxable stipend, for 2010/11 is £19,300 (inner London – Chester Beatty Laboratories, Fulham Road) or £18,000 (outer London – Sutton Campus). Higher stipends are available for students on the Wellcome Trust PhD Programme in Mechanism-based Drug Discovery.
Applications are invited for PhD studentships beginning October 2010. For more information, visit our How to Apply page.
The deadline for applications is Tuesday 1st December 2009. Available studentships are listed below. Any enquiries should be directed toregistry@icr.ac.uk. To see projects suitable for applicants with backgrounds in the relevant subject areas click on the tiles below.
Find below a complete list of Institute studentships:
Intermediate phenotypes and mapping causal variants; IGFBP-2, IGFBP-5 and breast cancer risk
Professor Alan Ashworth
The development of viral vectors for use in Gene-directed enzyme prodrug therapy (GDEPT)
Professor Caroline Springer
Structural and chemical biology in the design of selective kinase inhibitors
Professor Julian Blagg and Dr Richard Bayliss
Identification and characterisation of novel therapeutic targets in breast cancer metastasis
Professor Clare Isake
Prostate MR Spectroscopy in vivo
Dr Geoffrey Payne and Professor Nandita DeSouza
Synthesis of targeted fragment libraries by iterative scaffold elaboration
Professor Julian Blagg
Development of specific RNase inhibitors for the treatment of haematological cancers
Drs Faith Davies and Ian Collins
Ubiquitin-mediated signalling in apoptosis and cancer
Professor Pascal Meier
Impact of p53 function on metabolic activation of environmental carcinogens
Professor David Phillips
A systems genetics analysis of Rho-family GTPase signalling
Dr Chris Bakal
A mechanism based classification of human prostate cancer
Professor Colin Cooper
Quantification of pre-clinical PET and SPECT imaging
Dr Glenn Flux
Inheritance and brain tumour risk
Professor Richard Houlston
Inheritance and leukaemia risk
Professor Richard Houlston
Pre-clinical evaluation of imaging biomarkers of neuroblastoma
Drs Louis Chesler and Simon Robinson
Determining modifiers of cdk inhibitor sensitivity
Professors Sibylle Mittnacht and Paul Workman
Exploring the mechanism of CCT using small molecule inhibitors
Professors Keith Jones and Keith Willison
Non-invasive molecular profiling of breast cancer with optoacoustic imaging
Dr Jeff Bamber, Professor Nandita deSouza and Dr Simon Robinson
Investigating the relationship between PI3K/AKT signalling and cell cycle checkpoints for cancer drug development
Dr Michelle Garrett
Identification and validation of target genes in cancer using the synthetic lethality approach
Dr Spiros Linardopoulos
How to apply
Please note that the deadline for applications is 1st December 2009.
You can:
Apply online
Re-log in to an application
Before applying please read these instructions carefully
(You can print out this page using the browser print menu)
You must register before you can access the application form. You will need a valid email address to register – the system will use this email address as your username, so please ensure it is correct.
You will be able to save your application at any stage and then come back to it later.
The recommended browsers to use are Internet Explorer version 6, or FireFox version 3 or above.
The form has seven parts:
Part 1 – Contact Information
You must provide at least your home contact details. You can edit this information after your application is submitted.
Part 2 – Secondary Information
Enter the full details of your secondary (pre-university) education in this section. International students should list the highest/most relevant qualifications gained prior to university.
Part 3 – Higher Education
Record your higher education (university education) here, you must also upload a research project summary.
Part 4 – Additional Information
Provide details of any work experience, other interests, English language qualifications (if applicable), and how you heard about us.
Part 5 – Referees
You will need to provide details of two referees, one of whom must be able to comment on your research abilities. Your referees will be contacted immediately by email so you must ensure that the email addresses you enter are correct. You will receive an email once they have completed the referee form. If you do not receive these emails you should contact your referees; it is your responsibility to ensure that we receive your references.
Part 6 – Research Interests
Select up to three projects you are most interested in, and tell us why you want to study at the ICR.
Part 7 – Equal Opportunities
The information you provide is for statistical purposes only.
When you submit your application you will receive a PDF copy by email as acknowledgement. You can log in to change your contact details at any time. Any updates made to your application after submission will also be acknowledged by email.
If you have any queries about the application process please contact the Registry (registry@icr.ac.uk).
View PhD Terms & Conditions
Admission Policy
Policy Statement
1.1 The Institute of Cancer Research is committed to providing high quality research training, and, in line with its equal opportunities statement, The ICR welcomes applications from suitably qualified candidates, irrespective of their background, of race, colour, ethnic or national origin, religion, political belief or affiliation, socio-economic group, family responsibility, gender, sexual orientation, or disability.
1.2 Decisions about offering a place are made on the basis of:
Existing or predicted qualifications and grades (individual projects may require a qualification in a specific subject area)
Academic references
The candidates application form and in particular the personal statement
Interview
For research degrees, the projects available
1.3 The ICR considers each application on its individual merit and disabled applicants are considered using the same admissions criteria as all other applicants. The ICR is keen to address the issues which, whether real or perceived, may deter a disabled applicant from applying for a place on the taught postgraduate course or research studentship in a laboratory-based environment and, to this end, The ICR has appointed a Disability and Diversity Advisor, who provides support service for prospective and existing students.
1.4 The ICR’s Academic Regulations set out the general criteria for admission to the ICR as follows:
“… In order to be admitted to The Institute of Cancer Research a student must normally:
be at least 17 years of age, subject to waiver in exceptional circumstances;
Satisfy the general entrance requirements of the University of London;
Satisfy any additional programme-specific entry requirements, for example registration with the General Medical Council
Demonstrate a standard of proficiency in an approved English Language test as specified in the Programme Regulations for each programme;
Comply with the enrolment procedures laid down by the ICR.
Decisions on admission are taken in good faith by the ICR on the basis that the information given by the applicant is accurate and correct. If it is subsequently discovered that information given is untrue or inaccurate the ICR may refuse admission or, if the student has enrolled, terminate the student’s registration…”
1.5 Any applicant wishing to make a complaint about the admissions procedure or process may do so in writing to the Registrar of the ICR.
2. Admissions Procedure: Full-time PhD Students
2.1 The recruitment process will normally commence in September/October and should include, where possible, all studentships funded by sources other than the ICR/Royal Marsden.
2.2 Potential projects must be vetted according to the ICR’s procedure for approval of studentships and which will cover review of academic, financial and supervisory arrangements for the duration of the project.
2.3 Studentships will be advertised in October as part of the ICR’s annual recruitment process. The advert must be approved by the Academic Dean or his/her Representative. Studentships are normally advertised in the scientific press, relevant websites, the ICR’s website and via to university departments with high RAE rankings, running relevant undergraduate/masters degree courses. Studentships in very specialised areas may also be advertised via relevant subject-specific email list.
2.4 All applications must be submitted using the on-line application by the advertised deadline. Complete applications will be initially screened against the criteria, as outlined in 1.2/3.1, to ensure applicants meet or are likely to be able to meet the required minimum standards. All the applications are then made available via a web-interface to the Dean’s Team and supervisors of the projects who will rank the applications.
2.5 Successful applicants will be invited to a recruitment event in January/February. The Registry will normally pay reasonable travel expenditure but not first class travel.
2.6 All interviewees will undergo assessment, and be scored by a panel which will comprise a minimum of three staff acting on behalf of the ICR. Those meeting the minimum requirement on the assessment will then be interviewed by the prospective supervisors.
2.7 Before any offer is made, the supervisors and Dean’s Team will meet to agree all offers. Successful candidates will be contacted by email from the Registry and informally offered a place.
2.8 When a candidate has confirmed their acceptance of the informal offer, a formal written offer will be issued. The offer letter will state the terms and conditions that need to be met. All offers will be subject to medical clearance and, where appropriate, the award of degree with the required classification.
2.9 Should a candidate decline the offer, the supervisors of the project may offer to a reserve candidate. If there is no reserve candidate, the supervisors of the project may re-advertise the project with the approval of the Academic Dean’s Team. Any candidates invited for interview are required to be interviewed by a minimum of the project supervisor and a member of the Dean’s Team. The interview should follow the format of the recruitment event as closely as possible.
2.10 In exceptional circumstances (including 2.9 above) supervisors may be allowed to advertise outside of the event as long as they are able to justify this to the Academic Dean’s Team. The supervisor will be required to submit a short written case. This could be where a studentship has not been filled as part of the recruitment event or if a Section receives funding for a studentship which they did not have at the time of the initial advertising round. Studentships can only be advertised outside of the main ICR recruitment event if approved by the Academic Dean’s Team. The studentship must be advertised externally and as a minimum on the ICR’s website. All interviews must follow the format of the recruitment event as closely as possible.
3. Qualifications for Entry: Full-time PhD Students
3.1 Applicants should normally possess or expect to obtain EITHER:
a degree in a relevant subject at upper second class honours or above OR:
a Masters degree in a relevant subject OR:
an overseas qualification of equivalent standard to the above.
4. Overseas Candidates
4.1 Candidates whose first language is not English must be able to demonstrate a proficiency in English to the equivalent of:
TOEFL score of 650 (written paper) or 280 (computer based) or 114, (Internet based) or an IELTS score of 7.0.
The ICR offers training to candidates for whom English is not a first language. It may be possible to make a conditional offer to candidates whose TOEFL / IELTS score is less than the minimum, subject to further study and re-examination.
4.2 Overseas candidates may not be eligible to be considered for projects funded by Research Councils, due to restrictions placed by the Research Councils. However, all ICR-funded studentships are open to candidates irrespective of nationality, subject to meeting the minimum entrance criteria.
5. Admissions Procedure: Part-time PhD Students (non-clinical)
5.1 Candidates should be employees of The Institute of Cancer Research or the Royal Marsden NHS Trust and should have been in post for a minimum of one calendar year. Registration will not be backdated.
5.2 Candidates must recognise that the work for which they are primarily employed takes precedence over their studies for MPhil or PhD. It is likely that some of this work will provide material for the thesis, but it must be accepted that there may be a change of direction of research within a Section, or even redeployment to another Section.
5.3 Candidates should submit a 300 word summary of the project, together with a completed Supervisor Form to the Deputy Dean (Biomedical Sciences). They should also include a letter of support from the Section Chair that confirms the candidate’s suitability for a research degree, that the facilities required are available and that the proposed study will not compromise the work of the Section or Team. The Section Chair must also guarantee a specified amount of study time for the candidate, agreed with the Deputy Dean [Biomedical Sciences]. Before registration is approved, the prospective supervisor and student must agree a work timetable. For research students, a minimum of 40% of normal work time must be available to contribute to the thesis for the plan to be deemed viable. This assumes that the student will contribute an additional effort equivalent to 10% FTE in their own time.
6. Qualifications for Entry: Part-time PhD Students
6.1 Candidates should normally possess a degree in a relevant discipline at second class honours or above, or equivalent.
6.2 Where the candidate possesses an award at lower second class honours, the candidate will be required to produce an extended Year 2 report of Master’s degree standard.
7. Admissions Procedure : MD(Res) Students
7.1 Candidates are required to complete the ICR’s Application Form and a protocol outline which should then be discussed with their supervisor. The supervisor must complete the Supervisors form. The proposed project must be authorised by the relevant ICR Section Chair, who is confirming the feasibility of the proposal and that adequate resources will be available for the duration of the project. Once all forms are complete and signed the candidate should make an appointment to discuss their proposed research project with the Deputy Dean (Clinical Studies) or Senior Tutor.
7.2 Before registration is approved, the prospective supervisor and student must agree a work timetable. For MD(Res) students, the ICR Code of Practice stipulates “the normal expectation is that the maximum time which may be spent on routine clinical service work during normal working hours is one session per week (this excludes sessions where the majority of the student’s time is spent in recruiting or monitoring research subjects). It is expected that Students will contribute a minimum additional effort equivalent to 10% FTE in their own time. These students will be subject to the same monitoring as full-time students.
In exceptional circumstances this can be negotiated with the Deputy Dean (Clinical) and Senior Tutor. However a minimum of 4 sessions must be protected for research. Where this is the case it is expected that Students will contribute a minimum additional effort equivalent to 10% FTE in their own time.
Students required to provide clinical service cover during normal working hours may do so for a maximum of two weeks per annum for full-time students and the pro rata equivalent for part-time students.
8. Qualifications for Entry: MD(Res) Students
All are registered as part-time students.
8.1 To be eligible for registration for the MD(Res) degree, a candidate must either:
(a) have obtained the MB BS degrees of the University of London or some other registerable primary qualification in Medicine and be eligible for full registration or hold limited registration with the General Medical Council; or
(b) have obtained the BDS degree of the University of London and/or be eligible for registration with the General Dental Council.
9. Admissions Procedure: Clinical Fellows (Clinical PhD Students)
9.1 Candidates are required to complete the ICR’s Registration Form and a protocol outline which should then be discussed with their supervisor. The supervisor must complete the Supervisors form. Once all forms are complete and signed they should be returned to the Registry with confirmation of three years’ funding and written confirmation from their Section Chair that their project is feasible. The Deputy Dean (Biomedical Sciences) will check and approve applications.
9.2 All students are registered initially for MPhil, with transfer of registration to PhD following a successful progress report and internal transfer viva. All are registered as part-time students.
9.3 Before registration is approved, the prospective supervisor and student must agree a work timetable. For Clinical Training Fellows, the ICR Code of Practice stipulates that: “the maximum time which may be spent on routine clinical service work during normal working hours is one session per week (this excludes sessions where the majority of the student’s time is spent in recruiting or monitoring research subjects.)”
10. Qualifications for Entry: Clinical Fellows (Clinical PhD Students)
10.1 To be eligible for registration for the degree of MPhil candidates should normally possess or expect to possess either the MB BS degrees of the University of London or some other registerable primary qualification in Medicine and be eligible for full registration or hold limited registration with the General Medical Council;
Taught Postgraduate Programmes
11. Admissions Criteria
11.1. The specific qualifications for entry, in addition to the general criteria set out in the ICR’s Academic Regulations, are set out in the programme regulations for each course.
12. Admissions Procedures
12.1 Applications must be made on the ICR’s Application Form. Applications may be made at any time, however there will be a date notified in the prospectus, and to enquirers, by which time no further applications will be considered for entry at the next given intake. An application fee may be charged.
12.2 All applications will be considered in the first instance by the Course Director(s) concerned and at least one other member of academic staff involved in the teaching and delivery of the course in question.
12.3 All applications that the Course Director(s) and other member of academic staff wish to progress will be offered a place, subject to any appropriate conditions. Candidates may be invited to attend an interview prior to a decision being made.
12.4 Any applicant in receipt of an offer of admission who wishes to withdraw before enrolment on the course must notify the Registry in writing of their intention to do so. The ICR reserves the right not to refund the application fee or any other charge paid up until the point of withdrawal.
Eligibility & Application Guidelines
Admissions Criteria
A first or upper second class honours degree in a relevant subject (either expected or obtained)
Overseas qualification to the equivalent level
Experience of laboratory or research work. One of your referees must be able to comment on your research experience
A TOEFL score of 650 (written paper) or 280 (computer based) or 114, (Internet based) or an IELTS score of 7.0. Students without TOEFL or IETLS score should have either education experience in English (min 1 year) or work experience (min 18 months)
Application Guidelines
All applications must be made via the online form.
A completed application consists of:
An online application form, where you have uploaded a summary of a research project and your degree transcript if you are from overseas
Two references (one of whom must be able to comment on your research abilities)
Your referees will be contacted immediately. They will be emailed a link to a form which they complete. You will receive an email when they have done this. If you do not receive this email, you should contact your referees: it is your responsibility to ensure that we receive your references
Successful applicants should be available for interview 1st – 3rd February 2010
The deadline for applications is 1st December 2009. The deadline for receiving two references is 7th December 2009.