The London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) is pleased to invite applications for a PhD studentship as part of a five-year programme on inequalities in cancer care and outcomes, funded by Cancer Research UK (CR UK). The studentship will start in September 2026 and is funded for four years. Only those applicants who meet all the eligibility criteria outlined below can be considered for this studentship.
The research training environment
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The studentship will be based in the Faculty of Public Health and Policy (PHP).
General information about the MPhil/PhD programme structure at LSHTM can be found on the Research Degrees and Doctoral College pages. Students will supervised by two academic staff members. Students are expected to take part in the academic life of their department and can also be members of Academic Centres. All research seminars and journal clubs are open to PhD students from across LSHTM. Students are able to take up to four master's level study modules per academic year, subject to approval from their supervisor.
Support for research students' future career development is covered through the supervision process, through the Transferable Skills Programme (in the School and the Bloomsbury Postgraduate Skills Network) and the LSHTM's Careers Service.
The successful applicant will have opportunities to network and establish professional contacts through formal and informal interactions with members of staff at LSHTM and other students.
Based within the Department of Health Services Research and Policy, the student will work within a team of academics and support staff as part of the CR UK programme and other aligned research projects. The programme of work seeks to describe and explain differences in cancer outcomes at local, national and international levels. Research findings help inform policymakers to target investment in cancer services to improve cancer outcomes and reduce inequalities. The successful applicant will be a member of the Inequalities in Cancer Outcomes Network - more information about our members and current research can be found here: www.lshtm.ac.uk/icon
Doctoral research project
This studentship is offered as part of a five-year programme on Inequalities in Cancer Care and Outcomes, funded by Cancer Research UK (CR UK). Launched in September 2025, the programme builds on our long-standing research into cancer inequalities and adopts an intersectional, mixed-methods approach. It focuses on developing a detailed understanding of inequalities along the lung cancer care pathway across two Cancer Alliances in Northern England and South East London, selected for their diversity in terms of deprivation, geography, and population characteristics.
Co-led by Professors Bernard Rachet and Ellen Nolte, in collaboration with Newcastle University and the Cancer Alliances, the programme combines quantitative analyses of linked electronic health records with in-depth mixed-methods case studies of local cancer systems to investigate inequalities along the lung cancer pathway. It will populations experiencing continually poor outcomes, examine where and how inequalities arise, and quantify disparities at key stages of care. Qualitative research (including documentary analysis, focus groups and interviews with patients, carers, healthcare professionals, and decision makers) will complement routine data, with findings triangulated against health care records where available to provide a comprehensive understanding of how inequalities are generated and persisting.
The programme will also assess the role of initiatives such as the Targeted Lung Health Check programme, recognising evidence of differential uptake and late diagnosis among higher-risk population groups. Working with local service providers, commissioners, patients, and support groups, it will identify and prioritise strategies to address inequalities and estimate their potential impact on cancer care and outcomes.
We are seeking a full-time PhD candidate to investigate lung cancer inequalities along the care pathway in communities within the two selected Cancer Alliances, including, for example, those defined by ethnicity, socioeconomic deprivation, rurality, or coastal location. Building on and supporting the wider programme, the successful candidate will have the opportunity to shape the specific focus of the PhD and concentrate on aspects of the pathway in line with their interests. The research will involve both quantitative and qualitative methods, as well as patient and public involvement activities. Applicants are encouraged to contact the PhD supervisors for an informal discussion prior to applying.
Supervisory team
- Dr Manuela Quaresma, LSHTM ([email protected])
- Dr Mirza Lalani, LSHTM ([email protected])
Funding
This 4-year studentship award covers tuition fees at home rates and a monthly tax-free student stipend set by CR UK (currently GBP £24,219 per annum for 2026/7 and increasing each year by 1.75% in line with CR UK funding conditions). Funding is also available to support research running costs including training and research related travel.
Eligibility criteria
All applicants must meet minimum LSHTM entry requirements.
Applicants must hold, or expect to obtain before the start of the PhD, a relevant Master's Degree (e.g. in Epidemiology, Public Health, or Health Policy) awarded with good grades, or have a combination of relevant qualifications and experience which demonstrates equivalent ability and attainment. Candidates should have an interest in further developing their quantitative skills and in learning or enhancing their qualitative research skills. Applications from those with experience in patient and public involvement or community engagement, or those with an interest to develop skills in this area, are encouraged.
Applicants should be willing and able to travel to the Northen Cancer Alliance to conduct research fieldwork and may need to spend an extended period of time based there.
Additional Information
This PhD Studentship award is only available to candidates who meet the eligibility requirements for the Home fee rate. Please see the LSHTM fee assessment policy in particular the ’criteria‘ section, for further details. Further information about fee status assessment can be found on the UKCISA website.
Please note that due to the high volume of enquiries we receive, we will not be able to respond to emails from applicants who do not meet these eligibility criteria.
How to apply
Applicants are encouraged to contact the supervisory team for an informal discussion before applying.
Applicants must confirm that they meet the eligibility criteria before contacting the supervisory team. When contacting the supervisors, applicants are encouraged to write a short paragraph about their experience and research interests, including ideas for the PhD and explaining how these match the aims of the project, and to provide a short CV.
Proposed primary supervisors may be able to comment on one draft proposal, or offer other suggestions to strengthen the application: applicants are therefore encouraged to get in touch at an early stage.
To apply, submit a completed research degree application online using the LSHTM application portal by the scholarship deadline of 23:59 (UK time) on 20 April 2026.
Applicants must ensure all information and standard required documents outlined on the LSHTM ‘before you apply’ page is included/uploaded with the application, including:
- academic transcripts (official transcripts for all completed study; interim transcripts for any ongoing programmes of study);
- a two-page Curriculum Vitae;
- a research proposal of up to 1,000 words based on the broad project description given above. This should identify a specific research question or hypothesis, expanding on the scope of work listed on the website, summarise the relevant background information [with no more than five key references] and should outline an appropriate research methodology by which the question can be addressed); and
References
In addition, applicants for this scholarship must upload the following documents:
- a personal statement outlining why you are interested in, and suited to, undertaking a PhD in this area at LSHTM; and
- A writing sample (this may consist of your dissertation, an essay, a blog post or other piece of long-form writing and should be around 5,000-10,000 words long).
Applicants must indicate that they wish to apply for this funding by writing “CR UK Inequalities in lung cancer care and outcomes studentship” in the funding section of the application form.
Incomplete applications will not be considered for this studentship. This includes any applications missing supporting/supplementary documents (e.g. transcripts or references) at the deadline. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure that the application is complete and therefore applications should be submitted as early as possible to give referees time to submit their references prior to the deadline.
By submitting an application for this funding applicants agree to its terms and conditions.
Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an interview at LSHTM (most likely between 5 – 8 May). It may not be possible to offer alternative interview dates if candidates are not available. Please note interviews can take place online but in person attendance is encouraged.
The deadline for applications is Monday 20 April 2026, 23.59 am (UK time).