MB-PhD Summer Placement Opportunities 2026
Your Pathway to Research Success
We are thrilled to announce that we are hosting our annual MB-PhD Summer Placement Opportunities in July-September 2026.
This annual initiative is designed to introduce aspiring clinician scientists to our leading MB-PhD project supervisors and the breadth of cancer research taking place across the Manchester Cancer Research Centre.
Our MB-PhD Summer Placement Opportunities are open to:
- University of Manchester MBChB students
- University of Leeds MBChB students
- University of St Andrews Medicine-Manchester pathway students
What is an MB-PhD?
Our MB-PhD studentships allow undergraduate medics who are aspiring clinician scientists to undertake medical degree training in tandem with the research expertise of a PhD in Cancer Sciences, leading to the joint award of an MBChB and PhD.
Through our MB-PhD programme, you’ll gain the necessary skills, knowledge and training to drive new innovations in clinical care and research and become a future cancer research leader.
About our MB-PhD Summer Placements
The MCRC facilitates these placements, which are up to one week in duration, to encourage prospective students to explore our Cancer Research UK-funded MB-PhD programme.
The placements are hosted by supervisory teams and lab groups, and all participating supervisors offer MB-PhD projects to applicants in the same year. This makes the summer placement a brilliant opportunity to meet the team and confirm if this is the right path for you, whether you plan to apply now or in the future
Why do an MB-PhD Summer Placement?
Our MB-PhD Summer Placements offer you the chance to:
- Meet potential supervisors and research teams.
- Determine if the clinician scientist path aligns with your career goals.
- Gain practical experience through lab visits and/or a research placement.
Research opportunities vary, including both one-off visits and longer placements. Specific dates and placement duration will be agreed upon directly between the interested students and the supervisors
Express Your Interest
You can express your interest for our MB-PhD Summer Placements by preparing the following details and emailing them to the MCRC-CRUK Manchester Centre Postgraduate Programme Manager at MCRCtraining@manchester.ac.uk. We will then email you once applications are open.
Please include:
- Your full name, email and your Institution
- Your current year of study (specifying Manchester/Leeds MBChB or St Andrews Medicine Manchester Pathway)
- Supervisor/Project preferences
- Whether or not you are intending to apply to the MB‑PhD programme in the future.
- A short statement (200 words maximum) explaining why you’re interested in taking part in an MB-PhD Summer Placement
Hear From Past Participants
To launch this summer’s opportunities, we spoke to students who completed MB-PhD Summer Placements last year and are now beginning their MB-PhDs at the MCRC
This placement week highlighted the interface between research and clinical care. I found it very interesting to see the scientists and clinicians working alongside each other, aiming to turn lab discoveries into potential patient benefits.
Lucy Savage
MBChB student at The University of Manchester
Lucy Savage
Current Programme: University of Manchester MBChB (Y3)
2025 MB-PhD Summer Placement project: Malignancy of unknown origin: Solving the origin to improve treatments and outcomes
Supervisor: Dr Alexandra Clipson, Deputy Nab Team Lead
In summer 2025, I completed a one-week placement with Cancer Research UK at The Christie Hospital and the National Biomarker Centre.
My placement centred on “Malignancy of unknown origin: Solving the origin to improve treatments and outcomes”, supervised by Dr Natalie Cook (Senior Clinical Lecturer in Experimental Cancer Medicine), whose work uses precision medicine to study Cancer of Unknown Primary (CUP).
Before the placement, I knew little about CUP: a rare diagnosis where cancer is confirmed but the tumour’s primary site cannot be found.
On my first day, I observed Dr Cook’s clinic, including patient recruitment and consent for research trials. Seeing how strict eligibility criteria can be – and how much documentation is required – gave me a clearer sense of the precision and organisation needed in clinical research.
Midweek, I moved to the National Biomarker Centre to see how laboratory and data-driven approaches support this work.
At the Centre, I spoke with Dr Alicia-Marie Conway and Dr Alex Clipson and observed PhD researchers in a busy lab setting. I was struck by the team collaboration used to overcome technical challenges. A key focus was circulating tumour DNA (ctDNA): because tissue samples can be limited in CUP, the team is developing blood-based methods to help identify cancer origin.
I followed a sample from processing through ctDNA extraction and sequencing to bioinformatics analysis, where methylation patterns are compared with known cancer types. Seeing medicine, biology and data science connect was a highlight.
Overall, the week showed me how closely research and clinical care can work together to translate discoveries into patient benefit.
I left my first research placement more motivated to pursue translational medicine, and with a stronger appreciation for the curiosity, collaboration and determination that drive progress.
Overall, this summer placement was an invaluable experience. By observing molecular biology techniques, witnessing the dynamics of a research group, and hearing from experienced clinician-scientists, I gained a deeper understanding of academic cancer research. Most importantly, the placement strengthened my motivation to apply for the MB-PhD programme and develop my own research to contribute to this field.
Ria Shaiju
MBChB student at The University of Leeds
Ria Shaiju
Current Programme: University of Leeds MBChB (Y3)
2025 MB-PhD Summer Placement project: Multiomic Investigation of the Molecular Mechanisms During Differential Treatment Response in Breast Cancers
Supervisor: Dr Sankari Nagarajan
This summer, I took part in the MB-PhD Summer Placement Programme at the Cancer Research UK Manchester Centre (Michael Smith Building). Under the supervision of Dr Sankari Nagarajan, I observed the project “Multiomic Investigation of the Molecular Mechanisms During Differential Treatment Response in Breast Cancers.” The placement introduced me to academic research and the approaches that underpin cancer biology.
A highlight was observing western blotting, from sample preparation and gel electrophoresis to transfer and antibody probing. Seeing the workflow first-hand reinforced how precision and appropriate controls are essential for reliable results.
I also spent time in the tissue culture suite to understand how in vitro models support treatment-response studies.
I observed cell culture work with breast cancer cell lines, which highlighted the importance of aseptic technique and routine monitoring of growth and morphology. Comparing treated and untreated cells under the microscope showed how subtle changes can indicate response to intervention.
I also attended a lab meeting, which gave me insight into the collaborative nature of academic research. Researchers at different career stages presented data, discussed methods, and shared feedback, showing how communication and peer review help refine experiments.
Overall, the placement deepened my understanding of academic cancer research through hands-on observation of molecular biology techniques and exposure to research group dynamics. It strengthened my motivation to apply for the MB-PhD programme and pursue research that contributes to improving cancer outcomes.
Before this placement, I knew I wanted to incorporate medical research into my future career, and the idea of this programme sounded exciting; however, I was unsure whether I wanted to pursue a PhD before completing my medical training. But doing this placement has helped open my eyes to the huge advantages this programme offers to aspiring clinician scientists giving them the ability to train as an early career researcher supported by excellent supervisors and world class research infrastructure.
Devika Panicker
MBChB student, The University of St Andrews
Devika Panicker
Current Programme: University of St Andrews MBChB (Y3)
2025 MB-PhD Summer Placement project: Malignancy of unknown origin: Solving the origin to improve treatments and outcomes
Supervisor: Dr Natalie Cook, a senior clinical lecturer in Experimental Cancer Medicine
After finishing my second year at St Andrews, I spent a week with Dr Natalie Cook and Dr Alexandra Clipson in Manchester, attending clinics at the Christie Hospital and working in the Paterson Building labs.
I began by shadowing Dr Cook in the Experimental Cancer Medicine Clinic, which supports patients whose cancers have not responded to standard treatments. Many were enrolling in early‑phase clinical trials, and it was inspiring to see how access to novel therapies restored a sense of hope. It was a powerful reminder of why I want my future career to involve cancer research.
In the labs, I learned about Dr Clipson’s Cancer of Unknown Primary (CUP) project, which aims to develop a blood test that streamlines the diagnostic pathway for patients with metastatic cancer of unknown origin. At present, diagnosis often requires multiple investigations and invasive biopsies, meaning the primary tumour is frequently identified late, when treatment options are limited.
The project uses CUPiD, a machine‑learning algorithm that analyses tumour‑derived DNA fragments circulating in the bloodstream. These fragments act as a “molecular postcode,” helping pinpoint the tissue of origin. Because CUPiD relies on large‑scale genomic data, bioinformatics plays a central role. Speaking with the bioinformatics team gave me insight into the computational pipelines behind the project and reinforced my interest in developing stronger coding and statistical skills – something I’m excited to pursue through the MB‑PhD programme.
Towards the end of the placement, I attended a mock Genomic Tumour Advisory Board meeting, where oncologists, pathologists, and geneticists reviewed sequencing data, identified actionable mutations, and matched patients to targeted therapies or relevant trials. I also spoke with current MB‑PhD candidates about their research and the realities of balancing clinical and academic training.
Before this placement, I knew I wanted research to be part of my medical career, but I was unsure whether committing to a PhD before completing medical training was the right step. This experience changed that. Seeing cutting‑edge cancer research translated directly into patient care highlighted the unique advantages of the MB‑PhD pathway – early research training, excellent supervision, and access to world‑class infrastructure. I would strongly recommend this placement to any medical student interested in cancer research but unsure about taking the next step.
Have a question?
Email Dr Yasmin Noori-Jenaghard, MCRC-CRUK Manchester Centre Postgraduate Programme Manager.
Apply now
Applications for our MB-PhD Summer Placements are now open. You can explore all of our available projects on the CRUK Manchester Centre Research Opportunities webpage.
