Programme information

PhD studentships at the Institute of Genetics and Cancer.

At present, the Institute of Genetics and Cancer has more than 120 PhD students at various stages of their studies and presents a fantastic opportunity for highly motivated and talented individuals to embark on their career in research.

The Institute offers a number of funded PhD opportunities on our MRC HGU, CRUK Edinburgh Centre and ESRIC programmes which are typically advertised between the months of November-January.

We also have a number of self-funded and externally-funded PhD students on site, which contribute to this thriving student community.

PhD Opportunities at MRC Human Genetics Unit

The MRC Human Genetics Unit provides an outstanding training environment with state of the art facilities, overseen by a well-established Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine Graduate Research.

  • MRC four-year PhD programme in Human Genetics, Genomics and Disease
  • MRC Precision Medicine Doctoral training programme
  • Additional PhD opportunities
  • Self and externally funded PhD and MRes projects

For further information please contact the Director of Graduate Studies - Ian Adams or student-admin@igc.ed.ac.uk

PHD Opportunities at Edinburgh Cancer Research

The Cancer Research UK PhD programme is integrated into the research activities of the Centre with over 30 principal investigators contributing to this cross-disciplinary programme spanning from fundamental science to translational research. 

  • CRUK 3 or 4 year PhD programme 
  • MRC Precision Medicine Doctoral training programme
  • Additional PhD opportunities
  • Self and externally funded PhD and MRes projects

For further information please contact the Director of Graduate Studies - Susan Farrington or student-admin@igc.ed.ac.uk

PhD Opportunities at Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine

PhD and Molecular Pathology MMedSci Masters by research programmes are available in the Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine Centre, which is embedded within the College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine.

  • MRC Precision Medicine Doctoral training programme
  • Additional PhD opportunities
  • Self and externally funded PhD and MRes projects

For further information please contact the Director of Graduate Studies - Kathy Evans  or student-admin@igc.ed.ac.uk

MSc by Research Applications -

Important, please read before emailing any academic enquiries:

MSc by Research degrees are research only degrees. The below degrees all consist of a one year (or two year part-time) research project in a specific lab in the Institute with no taught component:

  • MSc by Research in Genetics and Molecular Medicine
  • MSc by Research in Genomics and Experimental Medicine
  • MSc by Research in Edinburgh Cancer Research Centre

Who should apply?

The MSc by Research programme is designed for those with a relevant undergraduate degree or international equivalent.

We cannot consider applications unless you have already identified a suitable supervisor for your MSc, and they have agreed to take you on. You should also have discussed with them and agreed on any bench fees. There is no need to provide a research proposal on EUCLID. If you do have a query about your application, please state the name of your proposed supervisor and whether they have agreed in principle to accept you.

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