Research career development opportunities
We're committed to supporting the next generation of cancer researchers and we have opportunities for you wherever you are in your career, whether you're new to the lab, or growing your fully fledged independent research group.
We have a broad range of fellowships, bursaries, job opportunities and studentships to cater for your situation, whether you're an academic researcher or a clinician scientist, and whether you require a fully funded fellowship or grants to advance individual projects.
Do you need help deciding which Fellowship to apply to? Our competency framework can guide you to consider which funding opportunity is right for you to support your transition to the next career level.
Observing funding panels and committees
As part of our commitments to supporting the next generation of researchers and equality, diversity and inclusion in research, we're offering early- to mid-career researchers the opportunity to observe our panel and committee meetings across our funding remit. This scheme will include positive action to offer individuals from underrepresented groups priority places to overcome the underrepresentation that has been highlighted by our diversity data report.
Through this experience we hope you can:
- Understand how grant funding decisions are made to ensure we fund the best quality research
- Develop your own successful research proposals in the future
- Help develop your skills as peer reviewers
- Have the opportunity to give feedback to us to help improve our review processes
PhD and postdoc opportunities
Students, postdocs and clinical fellows are recruited by the institutes, centres and research groups we fund around the UK, and we also support our researchers with networking, training and other career development support. Students and postdocs are also eligible for opportunities including prizes and travel grants.
Supporting you to translate your research
In 2020, we updated our competency framework to include the skills and expertise required to support translation of research for patient benefit.
We also support our researchers through a specialised translational team who are based across the UK and can provide the advice and support needed, an entrepreneurial programme with the aim to nurture an entrepreneurial culture among early career cancer researchers in the UK and several funding opportunities to accelerate translation.
Benefits of developing your research career with us
We support and develop the very best researchers with more than just funding. As a CRUK Fellow or Group Leader, we'll help you become a research leader of tomorrow.
Our researchers benefit from being part of a network of 4,000 clinicians and scientists who are united behind our ambitious strategy to beat cancer sooner. With the support of our network, you'll have the opportunities you need to develop independence as a leader.
- Networking meetings with fellow CRUK researchers in your peer group, and our world-leading senior scientists
- Training workshops and mentoring from inspirational leaders
- Access to the CRUK network of scientists, clinicians and state-of-the-art facilities
- Flexible working opportunities and paid leave entitlements
- Accelerated UK work visa route for exceptionally talented researchers
Researcher development concordat
CRUK is a proud signatory of the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers (Researcher Development Concordat), an agreement between stakeholders to improve the employment and support for researchers and researcher careers. It sets out obligations for research funders, employers, line managers and researchers themselves to support the professional and career development of researchers in a higher education environment.
We have published an action plan to demonstrate our commitments as a funder in a transparent way and emphasise the importance of our researchers and their development.
Contact us
Our Training & Fellowships Team are here to help our research community and advise researchers who are interested in making an application.
Related news & features
Opportunity and mentorship: Our new PhD programme aiming to open-up academia for Black students
22 July 2022
Cancer Research UK is proud to launch the Black Leaders in Cancer PhD Scholarship Programme, helping develop the next generation of Black leaders in cancer research.
Opportunity for early to mid career researchers to observe funding panels and committees
As part of our commitments to supporting the next generation of researchers and equality, diversity and inclusion in research, you can apply to observe our panel and committee meetings. This scheme will include positive action to offer priority places to overcome underrepresentation highlighted by our diversity data report.
Transforming how we support the next generation of clinician scientists
We’re providing £50.7m to overhaul training for clinician scientists, enabling our Centres to offer greater flexibility and a wider range of career pathways, including MD-PhD options, while providing training of the highest quality.
New help for early career researchers to manage and share data
We’re introducing 2-day training workshops to help you manage and share your clinical and population research data.
Enabling promising postdocs to become the global research leaders of tomorrow
Our new Transatlantic Fellowships provide high-potential early career researchers with a unique opportunity to accelerate their careers, offering £300,000 over four years to support research at top institutions in the UK and US.
Promoting a culture of dignity at work in research
Our new policy spells out our expectations and requirements of the researchers and organisations involved in our research to prevent bullying and harassment.
Improving flexibility for researchers: removing post-PhD time restrictions on our fellowships
As part of our commitment to promote equality, diversity and inclusion in research, we’re removing the post-PhD time restrictions on our fellowship schemes.
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You can also follow our research funding and strategy teams on twitter at @CRUKresearch.