Cancer Sciences

Female scientist uses a pipette to transfer chemicals in a lab

A degree in cancer sciences can lead to a diverse range of employment and postgraduate study opportunities.

One of the main opportunities for students who study cancer science will be a career in research, either in industry or academia. Areas of research can focus on specific cancers such as breast, prostate or bowel cancer, or on broader areas in preventing, diagnosing and treating cancer. For example, The Institute of Cancer has eight scientific research divisions, which are breast cancer, cancer biology, cancer therapeutics, clinical studies, genetics and epidemiology, molecular pathology, radiotherapy and imaging and structural biology.

Alternatively you may want to use your cancer sciences degree to work in areas that support scientific research, such as science policy or marketing.

If you are considering a research career you may well undertake a PhD following your undergraduate degree. Studying a PhD may be possible directly from your first degree or after completing a relevant masters programme.

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What careers and further study options can graduates go into?

The NHS

You may want to consider applying for the NHS Scientist Training Programme (STP). The STP advertises vacancies in January of the year you wish to start. One of the options available at the time of writing was cancer genomics.

For further information on Healthcare Science Careers within the NHS please follow the links below:

Healthcareers - Healthcare science

Healthcare science careers page

Pharmaceutical companies

Pharmaceutical companies will undertake research into and manufacture of cancer drugs. Firms such as Roche, Bristol Myers Squib, Novartis, Johnson & Johnson, Takeda, Pfizer, Eli Lilley, Merck and Amgen manufacture some of the most widely used drugs on the market. As well as research & development they will recruit graduates to roles such as regulatory affairs, communications and government affairs, finance, commercial management. For more information look at pharmaceuticals types of job page:

Information about pharmaceutical jobs

The ABPI lists leading pharmaceutical firms within the UK many of which will offer graduate employment, summer placements and placement years.

Medical research charities

Medical research charities fund research in universities and start-ups. Cancer Research UK through their cancer research technology have funded 60 start-ups.

Cancer Research UK also manages and supports CancerHelp UK which develops and maintains clinical trials databases such as The Experimental Cancer Medicines Centre Network

Medical research charities funding cancer research

Biotechnology and contract research organisations

CROs are companies that support pharmaceutical organisations amongst others to carry out clinical study and clinical trials for drugs and medical devices. Contract Research Map lists the research institutions in each country and the work they are currently doing.

Biopharmguy is a good place to look for businesses involved in biotechnology and contract research.

Example of PhDs advertised in 2022

PHD opportunities (funded and non-funded) will be advertised throughout the year by universities, medical research charities, research councils and some pharmaceutical companies.

PhD Studentship - The Anti-cancer Potential and Pharmacological Characterisation of Frankincense R
PhD Studentship: Anticancer Potentials of Isothiocyanates, Diterpenoids, and Their Molecular Mechanisms of Interactions
PhD Studentship: The role of Cks1b in drug resistance in multiple myeloma

What skills will you develop while studying cancer science?

During your course, as well as developing your laboratory expertise, you will develop competencies necessary to be a successful scientist, researcher, or to support whatever career you choose to follow. These competencies will be developed within the curriculum, and during any placement you choose to undertake.

These skills are as follows: