Clinical Research Training Fellowships
Undertake a period of PhD training in a cancer-relevant field
What is a Clinical Research Training Fellowship?
Our Clinical Research Training Fellowships (CRTFs) allow clinicians to undertake a period of full-time PhD training in a cancer-relevant field.
You should hold a minimum Upper Second-class honours undergraduate degree in a related subject and be at an appropriate point in your clinical training to study for a PhD. A related Master’s degree would be an advantage.
You should also contact any supervisors you are interested in working with before submitting your application.
Our fellowships typically last for three years, but can last for up to four years, and it is expected that you will return to a training programme in the UK after completing your research degree.
Fees and funding
Our CRTF are usually funded for three years and the fellowship covers:
- PhD project running costs
- University tuition fees (at the UK rate, with some scholarships available for high-performing EU/International candidates)
- An appropriate salary in line with your current salary
Funding and eligibility vary depending on the programme available and we encourage you to check with the relevant scheme ahead of applying.
Explore the current CRTF opportunities available in Manchester:
The 4Ward North Clinical PhD Academy was set up by the Universities of Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle and Sheffield to raise the quality of clinical academic research training in Northern England.
As part of the Academy, funding for 25 Clinical PhD Fellowships over five years is available and are hosted at one of the four institutions.
Further details on the Academy and the application process can be found on the 4Ward North website.
The CRUK Manchester Centre offers Clinical Research Training Fellowships to any post-registration clinician wishing to undertake a period of full-time training in a cancer relevant field. These opportunities may be fully funded through grants from the Cancer Research UK Manchester Centre, Cancer Research UK RadNet Manchester, ACED Manchester, or through the CRUK Clinical Academic Training (CAT) award. The Training Team also administer ad-hoc PhD and training opportunities, such as those associated with CRUK Accelerator Awards.
Applications for these opportunities typically open in the Autumn, with an expected start date the following Spring or Autumn subject to funding and other arrangements.
Visit the Clinical Research Training Fellowships webpage on the CRUK Manchester Centre website to find out more about our clinical training programmes.
The CRUK Manchester Institute (CRUK MI) is one of four core-funded CRUK research institutes across the UK.
If you are interested in applying for a CRTF at the Institute, please contact the group leader whose research interests most accurately reflect your own; those seeking Career Development Fellowships should contact the Institute Director.
A list of schemes and further information can be found on the CRUK MI website: Fellowships at the Cancer Research UK Manchester Institute, with the latest opportunities advertised on the Job Marker portal.
As part of our CRUK Manchester Centre Clinical Academic Training Programme Award, we’ve formed a strategic partnership with the University of Leeds to offer collaborative Leeds-Manchester Clinical Research Training Fellowships.
Through this partnership, you will benefit from the research expertise and facilities at both institutions and work to develop joint research ambitions in academic pathology, cancer therapies, imaging biomarkers and clinical trials.
Further details on the Leeds-Manchester CRTF scheme can be found on the University of Leeds website.
The Medical Research Council (MRC) Doctoral Training Partnership (DTP), available through The University of Manchester, offers studentships for postgraduate researchers undertaking PhDs in biomedical, clinical and health service areas.
MRC DTP projects focus on the themes of Early Detection and Diagnosis, Understanding the Mechanisms of Disease and Therapeutic Interventions.
Studentships are fully funded at the UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) rate.
For more information on available projects, visit the Doctoral Academy website.
The NIHR Clinical Lectureship is a post-doctoral award providing a clinical and academic training environment for doctors to establish themselves as independent researchers and leaders.
Applicants must have full General Medical Council (GMC) registration and a National Training Number (NTN) in a relevant clinical specialty, based in the UK NHS.
Further eligibility criteria are available on the Integrated Clinical Academic Training website.
The post is made up of 50% clinical training and 50% academic research. Recruitment at Manchester takes place twice a year in June and October, to be in post by 31st March. Appointments are for the duration of remaining specialty training (until completion of training) or for a maximum of four years, whichever is soonest.
Those with an interest in applying are strongly encouraged to consult with the Academic Programme Lead and Deanery Training Programme Director, and should arrange an informal discussion with the Clinical Lectureship Programme Director, Dr Jenny Myers (jenny.myers@manchester.ac.uk).
The National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR) Manchester Biomedical Research Centre (BRC) is driving health improvements and lasting change for all through creative, inclusive and proactive research that identifies and bridges gaps between new discoveries and individualised care.
Manchester BRC offers a range of clinical and non-clinical PhD studentships to develop the next generation of cancer researchers with the knowledge and skills to undertake high-quality experimental medicine and translational research.
Entry requirements vary for non-clinical and clinical projects and eligibility criteria apply for studentships for non-UK applicants.
For the latest programme information, please visit the Manchester BRC website.
The Integrated Clinical Academic Training (ICAT) programme provides clinical trainees at all stages of their career with opportunities and support to engage in research and academic training.
Trainees can access a broad range of flexible postgraduate degree programmes as well as bespoke training options that are designed and delivered by the Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health training team and MAHSC Clinical Research Facilities.
The level of entry onto the ICAT programme depends on your level of clinical training or prior research experience.
Further details can be found on the ICAT website.
Why study in Manchester?
Manchester is the ideal place to start the next phase of your cancer research academic career. Study with us and you’ll learn from world-leading researchers, have access to cutting edge facilities, and pioneer your own research discoveries to help in our fight against cancer.
Clinical research is vital in helping accelerate discoveries from the laboratory bench to the hospital bedside. That’s why we support clinical researchers by providing a range of opportunities at every stage of your PhD and help empower you to become a future clinical leader.
Read more about why our students choose to study in Manchester.
Dr Laura Woodhouse
Dr Laura Woodhouse is doing a Clinical Research Training Fellowship, funded by Cancer Research UK. Her PhD project is looking at the genetic patterns of lung cancer KRAS mutations to help identify alternative treatment options. Find out more about Laura’s experience of studying a CRTF.
Dr Jim Zhong
Dr Jim Zhong is a CRUK Leeds-Manchester CRTF, who is researching the personalising and re-irradiation of locally recurrent prostate cancer directed by MR imaging and hypoxia biomarkers. Read more about Jim’s experience of undertaking a Clinical Research Training Fellowship.
Clinical Opportunities
Why Manchester?
