Postgraduate study 

Supervisory team

The amount of supervision you require may vary depending on your prior knowledge and on your particular research experience. Formal supervision is likely to be around one hour per week, with day-to-day supervision provided by postdocs in the lab. It is the student’s responsibility to book regular meetings with their supervisor, and with their Thesis Advisory Committee (TAC) according to a predefined schedule. 

Principal Supervisor 

The Principal Supervisor will provide written feedback to the student each term, with progress reports submitted online. The feedback will relate to the progress the student has made and include a specific comment on their research project. This will be discussed with the student in advance of the submission of the report to the University. 

Postgraduate Adviser 

A Postgraduate Adviser will also be appointed as part of the supervisory team, who will be able to act as a source of advice on matters relating to the research project and research environment; and to provide supervisory cover if needed. 

Thesis Advisory Committee 

In addition, every student will form a TAC after passing their First Year Assessment, which exists to provide support and advice from years 2-4 of their PhD. The TAC consists, at minimum, of the student’s supervisor, an additional CRUK CI Group Leader, and an external member from the wider University, its Partner Institutes or further afield. 

Training

We provide a comprehensive Postgraduate Training Programme with sessions led by experts on essential skills such as scientific writing, presentations, and applying for grants. The Core Facilities offer technical training in their areas of expertise including statistics, bioinformatics, and microscopy. PhD students are also able to participate in the Wednesday Lunchtime Seminar Series, presenting their research and receiving feedback from the wider Institute community to improve their presentation skills.  

The University’s Researcher Development Programme supports research students across all disciplines at the University of Cambridge, offering training courses, workshops, and events to develop competencies valued by academic and non-academic employers. This programme covers research expertise, career progression, personal effectiveness, and engagement skills.

Additionally, the Institute hosts seminars featuring global experts in fields such as cancer research and genomics, encouraging students to stay at the forefront of cutting-edge research and interdisciplinary approaches. 

Talks and seminars

The Institute hosts a diverse range of seminars featuring experts from around the world, and students are encouraged to attend these sessions to enhance their development. Our monthly Seminars in Quantitative Biology focus on computational approaches to cancer research and genomics, while the Seminars in Cancer series features leading experts from across disciplines. The Wednesday Lunchtime Seminar Series provides an opportunity to hear from researchers across the Institute, and PhD students are also able to present their research and receiving valuable feedback. 

Our annual retreat provides a platform for everyone at the Institute to gather and to share their latest findings, form collaborations, discuss new developments in cancer research, and reflect on the past year’s work. 

Students are also able to attend a range of lectures across the School of Clinical Medicine, and the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Centre’s Lectures in Cancer Biology and Medicine provides a useful foundation for students without a background in biomedical sciences.   

Student community

Postgraduate students play a crucial role in our success, with over 90 students at the Institute, two-thirds of whom are from overseas, creating a truly international programme. All postgraduate students are part of GradSoc, the Institute’s postgraduate society run by students for students. GradSoc organises a range of social events throughout the year, fostering a warm and friendly atmosphere to support students during their time at the Institute.  

GradSoc also hosts journal clubs and “meet the speaker” sessions, helping students develop their presentation, communication, and critical reviewing skills while providing opportunities to network with seminar speakers in a relaxed environment. Additionally, students have access to our Postgraduate Study, a quiet space equipped with both bookable workstations and drop-in stations for studying and writing.

Beyond student-specific activities, our Institute’s “Social Fairies” organise family-friendly events throughout the year, including Christmas markets, open mic nights, and our annual Summer Fair. Teams also take turns hosting Friday events with refreshments, music, and games, open to everyone and their families. 

Student voices

Student representatives play a crucial role in ensuring that the student body’s voice is heard throughout the Institute. They actively contribute to shaping the Postgraduate Training Programme, ensuring it meets the needs of all students. These representatives also serve on the Institute and Clinical School Postgraduate Education Committees, where they provide valuable input on policy and programme development. 

Student representatives are integral members of the Student Forum, which meets termly with all operational teams. This forum provides a platform for discussing student concerns, sharing feedback, and working together to find solutions to enhance the overall student experience. Through these various roles, student representatives ensure that the perspectives and needs of the student body are consistently integrated into the Institute’s policies and practices. 

Career development support

We are committed to supporting the career development of our PhD students, offering resources and programmes designed to enhance their professional growth alongside the funds available through their own research groups. The Nat Billington Public Engagement Prize supports PhD students in developing their network and research engagement profile. The grant can be used for various activities, including covering conference or communication costs, such as presenting a paper at a conference, engaging in public engagement projects, and visiting other research groups. 

Our PhD mentorship scheme links students with postdoctoral researchers to support the transition from a postgraduate program to a postdoctoral position. These mentors are able to offer a range of advice, from applying for grants and relocating internationally to managing caring responsibilities. This support ensures that students are well-prepared for the next stage of their careers.