The "Black Leaders in Cancer PhD Studentship” was developed in consultation with CRUK research community and in close collaboration, Black in Cancer and the Windsor Fellowship. By helping candidates from Black heritage backgrounds build their career in cancer research-related fields, this exciting programme is designed to make an immediate and tangible impact on the diversity of the research workforce. 

This scheme is open to exceptional candidates who self-identify as being from a Black heritage background, including a mixed background, for example: Black African, Black Caribbean, Black Other, Mixed background (to include Black African, Black Caribbean or other Black backgrounds).  

A total of 1 non-clinical studentship is available starting October 2025. The student will have access to both institutions and benefit from the world class research infrastructure and expertise across the two institutions. The student will become a member of the CRUK Convergence Science Centre PhD cohort which is a unique group of students working across distinct disciplines to tackle the big problems in cancer. The bespoke training programme will provide the skills and language to navigate different disciplines. 

In addition students will also benefit from a comprehensive programme of mentoring, career support, leadership training and networking led by the Windsor Fellowship and Black in Cancer. 

Successful candidates will undertake a four-year research training programme under the guidance of the supervisory team. Specifically, support is available for 1 non-clinical studentship for 2025. Studentships are typically 4 years in duration and provide the following: 

• A generous tax-free stipend (£23,000 per annum)
• PhD registration fees at the UK rate
• Research running costs

We are seeking preliminary PhD research proposals from Imperial and ICR academics supervisory teams eligible for student supervision. The projects must aim to integrate cancer research with physical sciences, engineering, and/or data sciences. The supervisory team is expected to encompass the necessary range of disciplines. The project must be align with the Centre priorities: 

1. Convergence Discovery Research, aiming to identify cancer vulnerabilities through the integration of Discovery Research and clinical materials, and 

2. Interventional Science, covering technological innovations in early detection and diagnosis, novel interventions and therapy monitoring. 

Further details about our research themes can be found here. 

Application and review process