Top Cancer Research Institutes To Apply For Cancer Research
If your inspiration is to become a researcher with a Ph.D. degree specialized in Cancer Research and you possess the urge to work towards the development of treatment & cure for this silent killer then this article is a must read for you. Changes in Cancer Research field happen briskly, therefore, so as to remain contemporaneous you must stay curious and dedicated by being up to date with the latest advancements in Cancer research both locally & globally.
The Cancer Red Alert!
In 2018 alone 9.6 million deaths occurred due to cancer. It is estimated that by 2030 the cancer death toll will hit a scary number of 23.6 million.
We might not have found a way yet to beat cancer, however, as per statistical data the number of researchers stepping into the Cancer research sector to accelerate the quest of developing a cancer cure, has increased drastically over a period of past 5 years. While the scientific community is on its toes to find “The Cancer Cure”, a lot of advancements have been made.
It is a high profile sector of research as the ultimate goal of learning facts about Cancer is to create guarded and constructive methods to diagnose, detect, treat and prevent cancer. The finer we understand this disease, the more progress we can make toward declining the prodigious human and economic trolls of CANCER.
“CANCER Research Transforms And Saves Life”
Advanced research in the field of cancer has helped us gather immeasurable knowledge about the biological processes involved in the onset of a malignant tumor. All those inventions have to lead to highly effective and earmarked treatments as well as prohibition strategies. Over the decades, Scientists have made numerous discoveries based on their research results in a wide array of disciplines that are considered as a major breakthrough in identification, screening, diagnosis, and treatment of cancer.
Table of Contents
Broad Categories of Cancer Research
Cancer research is basically fragmented into assorted broad categories :
Basic Research: Includes the research of various cellular as well as molecular variations occurring naturally or throughout the development of a disease. Also cited as preclinical or lab research.
Translational Research: It recounts an approach that accelerates the execution of several discoveries and inventions conducted in the laboratory to clinical practice. Also cited as operating advances from bench to bedside.
Clinical Research: It includes the implementation of treatments and procedures in patients. The research team conducts clinical trials where they try to study a group of patients, a particular patient and employ samples from humans like blood or any tissue samples to know details about the disease. They are interested to know how the healthy body works and responds to therapy.
Population Research: Most loved area of research. It includes the study of various causes and patterns of Cancer as well as their risk evaluation. Epidemiologists, the population scientists engage themselves in studying and identifying the patterns, causes, and effects of health & diseases in defined groups. It is highly symbiotic and can stretch the spectrum from basic research to clinical research.
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Where To Apply For Cancer Research?
If you have that desire to become a researcher and want to serve the people in need of care and assistance, Cancer Research is the best sector for you to grow and make a career in. The foremost question which comes to your mind to start a career in cancer research is – Where to apply? How to apply? What are the Future prospects? No need to Fret at all! You can get all your answers here.
Depending upon the abilities and qualifications, numerous Cancer Institutes have been established that admit young scholars with sharp minds. According to the eligibility criteria of all these institutes, you can apply for research as per your suitability.
Let’s look at some of the most renowned Cancer Research Institutes where you can apply for research!
1. Advanced Centre for Treatment, Research and Education in Cancer (ACTREC), Navi Mumbai
The futuristic Research & Development satellite of the Tata Memorial Centre (TMC), ACTREC functions as a national center for medical care, research and enlightenment in cancer. TMC also includes Tata Memorial Hospital (TMH), the largest cancer hospital in Asia under its patronage.
ACTREC embrace 2 arms- one for basic research and the second one for clinical research. As discussed above, you can choose among numerous broad categories of cancer research. Research explorations at both the arms of ACTREC focus on molecular operations accountable for causation of crucial human cancers relevant to India. It is expected that ACTREC will play a significant role in drug development and emerging therapies for treatment and prevention of cancer in the future.
Job Prospects @ ACTREC
One can be a part of Cancer Research at ACTREC by obtaining a Ph.D. degree in Life Sciences provided by Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), a Deemed University established by the Department of Atomic Energy. The Research Scholars at ATREC handles basic and translational research in Cancer Biology where they focus on specific research topics such as Cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, metastasis, tumor immunology, carcinogenesis, molecular imaging, stem cell biology, biophysics, structural biology, bioinformatics, genomics, genetics & epigenetics. Applications are invited early in the year (February/March) through the website by candidates all across India. The final selection depends on the student’s performance in Written Examination followed by an interview.
Educational Qualifications:
- M.Sc. (Bioinformatics/ Applied Biology/ Biochemistry/ Biotechnology/ Biophysics/ Botany/ Microbiology/ Life Sciences/ Molecular Biology/ Zoology or related Biological Sciences)
- M.Tech. ( Biotechnology / Bioinformatics )
- M.V.Sc. or M.Pharm. Degree obtained from a recognized organization with 60 % or more marks.
- Final Year candidates are also eligible.
- Candidates with a post-graduate degree of one year are not eligible.
Fellowships :
Candidates qualifying written examination are called for an interview and final admissions are dependent on the HBNI eligibility criteria and other requirements such as Medical Examination. You can avail Junior Research Fellowship, once you are selected by ACTERC for Cancer Research. JRF’s earns a stipend of Rs.25,000 +30 % HRA per month as applicable. This fellowship is tenable for a period of 2 years, can be extended for a further 2 years (not more than that) on an annual renewal basis which is considered on your performance of the previous year. You can also avail external fellowships if secured from agencies like CSIR, UGC, DBT, etc.
Multiple Job openings are posted by ACTREC which can be located here. ACTREC very frequently hires M.sc /Ph.D. Biotech & Life Science Candidates for positions like Scientific Officer, Scientific Assistant, Research Fellow, and many other posts.
For More Details Visit – http://www.actrec.gov.in/
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2. All India Institute of Medical Sciences, New Delhi
AIIMS is an autonomous institution of national importance and awards its own medical degrees and other academic distinctions. The Cancer Research is carried out at Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital (Dr. B.R.A. Institute Rotary Cancer Hospital). It is among the best centers in the country to have entrenched hematopoietic stem cell, bone marrow transplant program, around 250 or even more transplants have been already implemented. There are about 8 departments under this Institute, out of which Cancer Research is basically carried out in the Department of Medical Oncology. This department has been using modern techniques including FISH and PCR to prophesy cancer patients. It has been using screening programs to detect cancer at a very early stage, apart from this a preventive oncology program has also been initiated. Department excels in teaching, clinical and research related activities. MO department is managing DM and Ph.D. program.
If you wish to apply for Cancer Research in AIIMS, you have to apply for the Doctorate program here. For entry in this highly prestigious institute, you need to crack the AIIMS Ph.D. Entrance Exam conducted by AIIMS itself twice in a year -Jan & July Session.
Educational Qualifications :
- Masters Degree (M.Sc, M.Tech. & BAMS) -2 years course by Indian Universities or equivalent in the subject as per requirement.
- Candidates should have at least 60% or more marks in their last qualifying examination.
- Candidates having Masters degree through correspondence are not eligible.
Fellowships :
Candidates must have qualified at least one of the following examinations in the last 2 years – Joint CSIR-UGC NET for JRF, ICMR-JRF/SRF, CSIR-SRF, DST-JRF/SRF, DBT-JRF/SRF, UGC-JRF/SRF, NBHM screening test, GATE, INSPIRE fellowship. Selected candidates through entrance examination with one of the aforesaid fellowships can easily pursue their doctorate degree from AIIMS.
For further details visit the link www.aiimsexams.org
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3. Amala Cancer Research Centre, Amalangar, Trichur
ACRC is an integral part of Amala Institute of Medical Sciences (AIMS), situated in the valley of Vilangan Hills, 8KM from Thrissur town. The Centre focussed to accept scientific research in Cancer and other associated branches of medical sciences including basic as well as applied fields.
This research center offers various courses for research aspirants like Ph.D. Programme, M.Sc./M.Pharm./M.Tech/M.D. Dissertation Work and Summer Training Programmes. Amala Cancer Research Centre is acknowledged by the University of Calicut and Mahatma Gandhi University for the Ph.D. course program.
In addition to the Ph.D. program, ACRC enrolls post-graduate students for their dissertation and project works in Cancer-related research. Students are enrolled from numerous Universities and Colleges. Special training programs are also organized by ACRC to help students in understanding the concepts and values of Experimental Biology. It conducts a major training program for postgraduate students from different institutions annually.
Numerous projects are carried out by eminent scientists of this institute which are funded by various prestigious government organizations like CSIR, UGC, DBT. If you wish to carry out your research in Cancer from the Institute that is only engaged in Cancer study, nothing else ! ACRC is one of the perfect places where you can land safely without a second thought.
Educational Qualifications :
- Master’s Degree in any branch of Life Sciences with at least 60% marks
- Candidate should have a valid fellowship from any of the following agencies – UGC, CSIR, DST-INSPIRE, ICMR, DBT, KSCSTE
- Ph.D. entrance examination conducted by the University of Calicut qualified candidates may also be considered for enrollment in Ph.D. Programme for Cancer Research.
Fellowships: Candidates having aforesaid valid fellowship are admitted for various course work at ACRC. Candidates can avail the fellowship as per the rules and regulations of that respective funding agency.
For further details, visit http://amalacrc.org/
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4. Centre for Cancer Epidemiology, Maharashtra
CCE is the new cancer research center established by Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai. It is one of the top-ranking tertiary cancer research centers as well as treatment centers in South Asia. The CCE is equipped with the finest amenities for data storage, high-speed servers, high throughput technologies and cold storage of biological samples. It also has automated biobanks for storage of around 3 million biological samples.
This institute’s main objective is to develop Nationally and Internationally acknowledged as well as funded inter-disciplinary research programs in epidemiology with prominence on assessing cancer Burden, the pervasiveness of threat factors, recognizing threat factors related to genetics and lifestyle and to study about these threat factors for disease advancement. CCE operates Molecular Epidemiology research that fosters collaborative research, in addition, CCE has also developed an Education and Training program in Epidemiology that encompasses Masters and Doctorate degree. Centre for Cancer Epidemiology has certain set Goals such as to build a strategy to identify Cancer Causation and Prevention, build capabilities to conduct Population genetics studies. Finally, CCE focuses on the blossoming of manpower for Cancer observation, Epidemiology, and Molecular Epidemiological studies.
This Cancer Centre offers numerous education and training courses. CCE enrolls Ph.D. students in the field of Epidemiology from a deemed University- Homi Bhabha National Institute (HBNI), established by the Department of Atomic energy. Research Scholars handles research in the field of Epidemiology counting Cancer Registration, Molecular Epidemiology, Cancer Control, and Prevention.
To get admitted in the Doctoral program of CCE, applicants have to apply through the website of the institute [http://www.tmc.gov.in] early in the month of May/June of every year. It is open for all the candidates all across India. The entrance examination is being conducted by CCE for shortlisting the candidates based on their performance in that particular examination followed by an interview. An Orientation Course is available for students seeking admission to the Doctoral program. A core training course of HBNI is conducted for all JRFs at CCE, before initiating the Ph.D. research or thesis work. This is implemented just to expose the students to various facets of Cancer Epidemiology, Public Health, and Statistics. All JRFs are examined through a series of written tests, seminar presentations and home assignments in which they have to achieve at least 60% marks.
Educational Qualifications Required:
- M.Sc. (Applied Biology/ Biochemistry/Life Sciences/ Molecular Biology/ Biophysics / Biotechnology / Botany /Bioinformatics / Microbiology / /Zoology or related Biological Sciences )
- M.Tech. ( Biotechnology/ Bioinformatics); M.Pharm. Or M.V.Sc. from any acknowledged University, with at least 60% aggregate marks.
- Candidates whose results are awaited may also apply
- Candidates having only one year of post-graduate degree are not eligible to apply
- Candidates with valid Junior Research Fellowships from recognized funding agencies like CSIR/UGC/DBT are called for direct interview at CCE, these candidates are also requested to apply online.
Fellowships :
At CCE, Junior Research fellows will receive a fellowship of Rs.25,000 + 30% HRA and Senior Research Fellows gets Rs.28,000 + 30% HRA per month as applicable. This is the stipend provided by the institute to the Research Scholars. Candidates having valid fellowships from any external agencies can avail the same. The JRF is viable for 2 years, which can be further extended to a maximum of 2 years depending on the progress of students during the previous years.
For More Details Visit – http://tmcepi.gov.in/
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If we talk about Careers in cancer Research now, we have many paths to choose.
Cancer Research has progressed with the times, adopting new technologies enabling scientists to chase varied research goals than ever. Researchers involved in Cancer study can find themselves in numerous settings to either industry or academia from addressing vivid questions in the laboratory to testing new vaccines and drugs in the clinic.
At the Basic Research point, most of the young scientists will agree and admit that they were mesmerized at the outset to explore fundamental biological questions than to work precisely on Cancer. Moreover, they often notice the importance and suitability of their immense work to understanding the elementary biological processes leading to Cancer. New treatments or let us say new technologies can arise from such conception. If you have a deep and broad knowledge of the related subject with good molecular biology skills and ability to produce new ideas, you are the Right Person for the Cancer Research.
Gazing forward, Cancer Research seems set to thrive- distinctly in the translational research arena and the evolution of new salubrious facilities. Coming 10 years is going to be a GOLDEN AGE in Cancer Research. If you desire to be a part of this golden era, do apply in the above mentioned Cancer Institutes and make your career progress exponentially.
Apart from the most prestigious Cancer Institutes mentioned above, you can apply in other Cancer Institutes as well.
The list for the other Cancer Research Institutes is provided below:
- Asian Institute of Oncology, S.L.Raheja Hospital, Raheja Hospital Road, Mahim, Mumbai
- Bose Institute, Kolkata
- Cancer Institute (WIA), Chennai
- Cancer Treatment & Research Centre, Visakhapatnam
- Chittaranjan Cancer Institute, Kolkata
- Christian Cancer Centre, Andhra Pradesh
- Jaslok Hospital & Research Centre, Mumbai
- Dharamshila Cancer Hospital & Research Centre, Vasundhara Enclave, New Delhi
- Dr. B. Borooah Cancer Institute, Guwahati
- Dr. Bhubaneswar Borooah Cancer Institute, Guwahati
- Dr. Rai Memorial Cancer Institute 562, Chennai
- G.V.N. Cancer Centre, No.16, Kiledar Street, Tiruchirapalli, Tamil Nadu.
- Goa Cancer Society, GM Cancer Hospital & Research Institute, Goa.
- Indian Rly. Cancer Institute & Research Centre, Varanasi
- Institute of Cytology & Preventive Oncology, Opposite City Centre, Noida
- International Cancer Centre, Neyyoor, Tamilnadu
- International Network for Cancer, Treatment, & Research Rajinder Nagar, New Delhi
- J.K. Cancer Institute (G.S.V.M. Medical College), Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh.
- Jagdish Cancer & Research Centre, Hyderabad.
- Jawaharlal Nehru Cancer Hospital, & Research Centre, Bhopal
- Marathwada Cancer Hospital & Research Centre, Maharashtra.
- Bhagwan Mahaveer Cancer Hospital & Research Centre, Jaipur
- Mohan Das Oswal Cancer Treatment & Research Centre, Punjab.
- Rajiv Gandhi Cancer Hospital & Research Institute, Rohini, Delhi
- Rajkot Cancer Society, Mr. N.P. Cancer Institute, Gujrat
- Regional Cancer Centre, Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala.
- Regional Centre for Cancer Research, Adyar, Chennai.
- Regional Centre for Cancer Research and Treatment, Cuttack
- Rotary Cancer Centre, Kanpur, Uttar Pradesh
- Tata Memorial Centre, Mumbai
- The Gujarat Cancer & Research Institute, Ahmedabad
Governments all across the globe have taken a personalized interest in this field and have formulated special research cells and funding schemes & opportunities via which they aim to promote and invite more young researchers to join Cancer Research field. The increasing competition & dedication to finding a cure for this life taking disease is on its peak throughout the world, thus one can foresee a flourishing career throughout if proper educational degree & knowledge is attained.
Remember – “ Nothing is Impossible for a Willing Mind ”
More details on Cancer Research Scope, Job Prospects & Salary Details will be covered in our next article. Keep checking our career advice section for all updates.
medalist & has been honored by former President of India Pranab Mukherjee in 2013. She is currently associated with Biotecnika as an Academic Support Specialist. She has published 3 Research Articles, 5 Research Papers and 1 Book Chapter in various National & International scientific journals. She is very passionate about teaching and loves to guide and inspire her students. She is very optimistic, organized, active and enjoys working with a wide variety of people to achieve a common goal efficiently and realistically. 
Thank you for great information.