Job Description
Overview
Undertake research that offers the opportunity to make significant impact on the detection and treatment of cancer with our Cancer Medicine programme. You’ll explore laboratory-based or clinical trial-based approaches to the study of cancer and examine therapeutic strategies that impact upon medicine and ultimately improve patient outcomes.
Introduction
The Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology (ISMIB) was established to integrate cutting-edge and clinical research across the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences. Programmes of work across ISMIB are varied and are led by world experts in their fields.
A broad range of research interests provides for world-class research in cancer medicine, supported by world-class clinical research into several major types of cancer. Cancer medicine research is aimed at developing discoveries that can ultimately be translated into patient benefits. You will undertake fundamental research into the mechanisms leading to cancer development and progression, with the aim of understanding the processes that lead to cancer development, and which constitute potential therapeutic targets. This is achieved by translational research, taking advantage of new and on-going clinical trials in cancer. These combine existing therapies with novel approaches, using predictive and prognostic biomarkers.
Scientific research is performed in an environment with a wealth of clinical expertise and research. This ensures that scientific research is always provided by leading clinical teams, informed by an awareness of detailed clinical issues, and performed with insights of relevance to patients.
Research topics
We offer translational research and tumour-specific research in many areas including:
- Pancreatic cancer
- Colorectal cancer
- Haemato-oncology
- Head and neck cancer
- Liver cancer
- Lung cancer
- Gastro-oesophageal cancer
- Brain cancer
- Breast cancer.
Research themes include:
- Early detection, screening and diagnosis of cancers
- Cancer vulnerabilities, novel therapeutics and therapy response markers
- Tumour-stroma-immune interactions
- Cell-signalling, membrane to nucleus.
Please see Molecular and Clinical Cancer Medicine for more information about our cancer research challenges and our news pages for details of some of our latest research activities.
If your research area is cancer-related but does not fit into these categories, we may still be able to offer projects aligned with your research interests.
How to apply
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1. Identify potential supervisors
It’s useful to contact potential supervisors before you begin your application. Explore our staff lists for the Institute of Systems, Molecular and Integrative Biology for details of potential supervisors.
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2. Prepare your application documents
You may need the following documents to complete your online application:
- A research proposal (this should cover the research you’d like to undertake)
- University transcripts and degree certificates to date
- Passport details (international applicants only)
- English language certificates (international applicants only)
- A personal statement
- A curriculum vitae (CV)
- Contact details for two proposed supervisors
- Names and contact details of two referees.
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3. Apply
Finally, register and apply online. You’ll receive an email acknowledgment once you’ve submitted your application. We’ll be in touch with further details about what happens next.
Fees and funding
Your tuition fees, funding your studies, and other costs to consider.
Tuition fees
UK fees (applies to Channel Islands, Isle of Man and Republic of Ireland)
Full-time place, per year – £5,006
Part-time place, per year – £2,503
International fees
Full-time place, per year – £31,250
Part-time place, per year – £15,650
Fees stated are for the 2025-26 academic year.
Additional costs
We understand that budgeting for your time at university is important, and we want to make sure you understand any costs that are not covered by your tuition fee. This could include buying a laptop, books, or stationery.
Find out more about the additional study costs that may apply to this degree, as well as general student living costs.
Funding your PhD
If you’re a UK national, or have settled status in the UK, you may be eligible to apply for a Postgraduate Doctoral Loan worth up to £30,301 to help with course fees and living costs.
There’s also a variety of alternative sources of funding. These include funded research opportunities and financial support from UK research councils, charities and trusts. Your supervisor may be able to help you secure funding.
Scholarships and bursaries
We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries that could help pay your tuition fees and living expenses.
Duncan Norman Research Scholarship
If you’re awarded this prestigious scholarship, you’ll receive significant funding to support your postgraduate research. This includes full payment of your PhD fees and a cash bursary of £17,000 per year while you study. One award is available in each academic year.
Sport Liverpool Performance Programme
Apply to receive tailored training support to enhance your sporting performance. Our athlete support package includes a range of benefits, from bespoke strength and conditioning training to physiotherapy sessions and one-to-one nutritional advice.
