Medical Research Council (MRC) Cancer and Genome Integrity PhD Programme 2024

MRC Protein Phosphorylation and Ubiquitylation Unit
University of Dundee, Scotland
Stipend £20,000 per annum tax-free

Defects in DNA replication or DNA repair can lead to mutations and other genomic alterations that give rise to cancers, and consequently tumours tend to have a high degree of genome instability. Understanding the molecular mechanisms involved in DNA replication and repair, therefore, may pave the way for new treatments for cancer. Furthermore, many of the frontline chemotherapy drugs used to treat cancer act by inducing DNA damage or perturbing DNA replication. Therefore, the efficacy of these therapies depends on our understanding of the mechanisms that cells use to sense and process DNA lesions and DNA replication defects. Protein homeostasis, autophagy and ER-phagy, and control of protein kinase function are also central to cancer cell survival. The 4-year Cancer and Genome Integrity PhD programme explores these areas of cell function relevant to cancer and genome integrity.

We are looking for bright and enthusiastic young people to join our Cancer and Genome Integrity PhD Programme. Our aim is to train the research leaders of tomorrow, and we provide support and training at every stage of the PhD, in a world class research institute that benefits from core funding from the MRC. We offer the option of two 4-month rotations in the first year, or alternatively students can join one lab directly for four years. Current projects can be found by clicking here. The stipend for our MRC studentships is £20,000 per annum tax-free, and our students can attend at least one international conference during the course of their PhD. You can see what some of our former PhD students are up to now by reading some of our “Alumni interviews”.

The School of Life Sciences at the University of Dundee is one of the leading European institutions for research in Life Sciences, and is currently ranked top by the UK government. The 2016 QS World University Rankings in Biological Sciences place Dundee 5th in the UK and 40th in the world as judged by ‘citations-per-paper’, one of the most widely recognized metrics of scientific excellence.

To apply for a studentship, please send a CV with contact details of three referees, and a cover letter explaining why you have chosen to apply to MRC PPU, to mrcppu-phd-admin@dundee.ac.uk. Applications from overseas students are welcome. The closing date for applications is 31st March 2024.

Our research community thrives on the diversity of students and staff which helps to make the University of Dundee a UK university of choice for postgraduate research. We welcome applications from all talented individuals and are committed to widening access to those who have the ability and potential to benefit from higher education.