MCRC-DCS Alumni Showcase
On 3rd March 2022, the Manchester Cancer Research Centre (MCRC) and Division of Cancer Sciences (DCS) were joined by cancer-focused clinical and non-clinical University of Manchester PhD alumni at a range of different career stages to discuss their post-PhD career highlights and tips for current postgraduate researchers.
We're incredibly proud of our PhD alumni and wherever their PhDs may then take them. In many cases our PhD alumni go onto successful careers in Manchester but others move onto other opportunities around the world.
Professor Stephen Taylor
Head of Division of Cancer Sciences and Leech Professor of Pharmacology
Dr Abigail Bryce-Atkinson
Dr Abigail Bryce-Atkinson, a Postdoctoral Researcher in the Advanced Radiotherapy Group, University of Manchester (UoM) discusses her career trajectory from undergraduate to postdoctoral researcher and her recommendations for other researchers. Abigail's Non-Clinical PhD (2016-20) was funded by Cancer Research UK. Click on the image to watch the video (00:5:18).
I'm now employed as a postdoc on a large project called BRAINanatomy which is in collaboration with St. Jude Children's Research Hospital and University Medical Centre Groningen as an international project. This is really exciting for me as I get to stay in Manchester where I've really enjoyed working but also expand my own network to other Centres.
Dr Abigail Bryce-Atkinson
Postdoctoral Researcher in the Advanced Radiotherapy Group, UoM
Dr Rebecca Lee
Dr Rebecca Lee, a current NIHR Clinical Lecturer in Medical Oncology speaks about her postgraduate research in melanoma and how this prepared her for a Clinical Lectureship and Postdoctoral Fellowship in immunology. Rebecca's Clinical Research Training Fellowship (2019-23) was funded by Cancer Research UK and based at the CRUK Manchester Institute. Click on the image to watch the video (00:03:36).
The pathway for a Clinician Scientist is varied so it's important to be very flexible and start thinking early about a project for a Clinician Scientist Fellowship. It's really important to create a network of people around you who will support you and I've got that in the clinical and lab spaces.
Dr Rebecca Lee
NIHR Clinical Lecturer in Medical Oncology at UoM and prev. Postdoctoral Clinical Fellow at the Francis Crick Institute
Dr Kate Vaughan
Dr Kate Vaughan, Senior Research Programme Manager at UoM highlights her career trajectory and provides recommendations for those not seeking a traditional academic career role. Kate's Non-Clinical PhD was funded by the Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE). Click on the image to watch the video (00:08:20).
I co-lead the Cancer Research Project Management Network which we set up for Project Managers (PMs) based at The Christie site who have a role in oncology. There are about 50 of us now, it's grown massively, so you can always come and speak to one of the PMs to get a really good feel for what we do.
Dr Kate Vaughan
Senior Research Programme Manager, UoM (funded by Cancer Research UK & Stand Up 2 Cancer)
Dr Louise Carter
Dr Louise Carter, Clinical Senior Lecturer in the Division of Cancer Sciences and Honorary Consultant in Medical Oncology at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust moved to Manchester for her oncology training and discusses her route from PhD to a brand new role in CRUK's Centre for Drug Development. Louise's Clinical Research Training Fellowship (2012-15) was funded by a CRUK-AstraZeneca Fellowship and based in the CRUK Manchester Institute. Click on the image to watch the video (00:02:43).
My real key thing is that the speed of getting a senior role is less important than the right role. [...] Spending a bit of time to get the role that you want really makes a difference.
Dr Louise Carter
Clinical Senior Lecturer in the Division of Cancer Sciences and Honorary Consultant in Medical Oncology at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust
Dr Daniel Bronder
Dr Daniel Bronder, Postdoctoral Fellow at the Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center joins us virtually from New York, USA, to share his research journey and key recommendations. Daniel's Non-Clinical PhD (2016-21) was funded by Wellcome. Click on the image to watch the video (00:06:27).
Many USA labs do not actually advertise, the PIs who really drive their fields typically don't advertise. It's all word-of-mouth and emailing them to ask if they have positions and they would be willing to interview you.
Dr Daniel Bronder
Postdoctoral Fellow at Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center, New York
Professor Cliona Kirwan
Professor Cliona Kirwan, Clinician Scientist in Surgical Oncology and Consultant Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon shares her career trajectory and top tips for upcoming and established researchers. Cliona's Clinical Research Training Fellowship (2000-04) was funded by a Royal College of Surgeons of England Fellowship and Cancer Research Campaign (now CRUK) project grant. Click on the image to watch the video (00:07:12).
My definite top tip is do it your way. People will tell you there's one way to do it or there's a best way to do it but do it your way. If you want it, you can fight for it and get it.
Professor Cliona Kirwan
Clinician Scientist in Surgical Oncology and Consultant Oncoplastic Breast Surgeon
Find out more…
Read our Alumni Stories to learn more about our cancer graduates.
Alumni Stories
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