Funding Opportunities

Recruitment of ACED Directors of Research

(3 roles across ACED)

The International Alliance for Cancer Early Detection (ACED) seeks applications for the roles of Directors of Research

• Provide strategic oversight for funded ACED cancer early detection research
• Identify Pilot and Project awards with potential for further development and funding within and external to ACED
• Develop skills as a mentor and thought leader in a collaborative, international Alliance

ACED supports a broad portfolio of funded early detection research, across various cancer types covering the whole spectrum from basic discovery research through to clinical translation. The three Directors of Research will oversee this portfolio and identify potential synergy between awards and support the development of follow-on funding by bringing teams together.

ACED is seeking leadership for each of these domains, which will:

• Provide oversight of ACED-funded research,
• Identify potential research synergies, new collaborations and opportunities, and
• Guide the development of ACED research into future funding internally or externally to the Alliance, according to the ACED strategic priorities.

The Directors will be supported by the ACED Operations Board and Centre Deputy Directors and will be responsible for reporting to and advising the ACED Executive Board.

Details

The Directors of Research Domains will serve an initial term of 2 years. Applicants must be a named ACED Member from an ACED Centre.

• ACED will appoint three Directors covering the whole research spectrum from basic discovery through to clinical implementation. Applicants from any discipline with relevant knowledge and expertise are encouraged to apply.
• Applications will be considered from early-to-senior career stage (Post-Doctoral / Lecturer / Group Leader/Associate Professor / Professor).
• Applicants must demonstrate an ability to communicate effectively and to encourage engagement and interaction between researchers within their domains and across ACED.
• Applicants will be expected to demonstrate a strong enthusiasm and commitment to the goals and visions of ACED and the wider early detection field.

Application Process

Interested applicants will submit a CV (max 4 pages) and cover letter (max length 1500 words) detailing your suitability for the role and specifically addressing the following questions in separate sections (max 500 words per response):

1. Describe your interest in cancer early detection and your experience in the field. What specific strengths or insights do you bring to this role?
2. Provide an example of your leadership, specifically related to bringing stakeholders together for a common aim. What challenges did you face, how did you overcome them, and what was the ultimate result of the effort?
3. Describe your experience managing a range of complex projects or tasks. How did you ensure alignment across them (where possible) or encourage collaboration?

Submit completed applications to martin.bone@manchester.ac.uk by Wednesday 5^th March 2025.

Final decisions and notifications to Applicants by 28th March 2025, expected start date of April / May 2025.

Informal enquiries can be made to Dr Martin Bone, ACED Operations Board Co-Chair Martin.Bone@manchester.ac.uk

Recruitment of ACED Centre Deputy Directors

(1 role per ACED centre)

The International Alliance for Cancer Early Detection (ACED) seeks applicants for the role of Centre Deputy Directors.

The ACED Centre Deputy Directors will be responsible for:

• Contributing to scientific strategy and research investment decisions making to ensure the success of ACED.
• Providing oversight of the Alliances three portfolios: Research, Infrastructure and Training working closely with the respective Directors.

ACED has three broad portfolios of work covering a wide range of activities. The Deputy Directors will play a pivotal role in supporting the Alliance’s mission and ensuring its strategic success by providing oversight of ACED initiatives and supporting the Centre Directors to facilitate informed decision-making.

ACED is seeking additional leadership for these critical responsibilities. Deputy Directors will:

• Attend all Executive Board meetings, contributing to strategic decisions and, when necessary, voting on behalf of the Centre Director.
• Identify improvements and propose recommendations to enhance the Alliance’s impact in line with overarching strategic objectives.
• Lead strategic initiatives that align with ACED’s mission and priorities.
• Support the delivery of Alliance objectives through strategic leadership and expert recommendations.

The Deputy Directors will report to and advise the ACED Executive Board and collaborate with the Operations Board and Directors of Research to achieve the Alliance’s goals.

Details

The Deputy Directors will be appointed on a five-year term to coincide with the funding quinquennium. Applicants must be a named ACED Member from an ACED Member Centre.

• One Deputy Director will be appointed per Member Centre
• Applicants will be expected to be mid-to-senior career stage (Lecturer / Group Leader/Associate Professor / Professor).
• Applicants must demonstrate an ability to communicate effectively and to provide strategic leadership
• Applicants will be expected to demonstrate a strong enthusiasm and commitment to the goals and visions of ACED and the wider early detection field.

Application Process

Interested applicants will submit a CV (max 4 pages) and cover letter (max length 1500 words) detailing your suitability for the role and specifically addressing the following questions in separate sections (max 500 words per response):

1. Describe your interest in cancer early detection and experience. What specific strengths or insights do you bring to this role particularly around the three portfolios of research, infrastructure and training?
2. Provide a relevant example of your ability to demonstrate strategic leadership, e.g. of a scientific programme or research group where you may be setting goals and monitoring progress. What challenges did you face, how did you overcome them, what was the ultimate result of the effort and how did you measure success?
3. Describe your experience managing a range of complex projects or tasks. How did you ensure alignment across them (where possible) or encourage collaboration across different stakeholders?

Submit completed applications to martin.bone@manchester.ac.uk by Wednesday 5^th March 2025.

Applicants will be notified by 28th March 2025, expected start date of role April / May 2025.

Informal enquiries can be made to Dr Martin Bone, ACED Operations Board Co-Chair Martin.Bone@manchester.ac.uk

ACED Non-Clinical PhD Studentship

ACED is committed to training the next generation of early detection scientists and providing a supportive and flexible training environment. The ACED Non-Clinical PhD Studentship provides unique support by offering a multi-disciplinary and multi-institutional approach to training. Opportunities are available at Manchester, Cambridge and UCL, and if you are interested, please see their individual websites for further detail.

The first year of the ACED Non-Clinical PhD programme allows you to develop your project with your chosen Manchester supervisor as well as gain training in different disciplines relevant to cancer early detection. This is followed by a three-year research project.

As an ACED Non-Clinical PhD students, you also benefit from:

• Opportunities for rotations in different ACED Centres in the first year
• Dedicated ACED Early Detection of Cancer training programme
• Early Detection Summer School
• Access to an annual Early Detection of Cancer Conference

Find out more about our ACED PhD Studentships and how to apply

ACED Skills Exchange and Development Travel Awards

These awards enable ACED researchers and PhD students to visit another ACED Member Centre(s) for knowledge exchange to learn or impart a key skill or technique, and to sow the seeds of future collaborations. Funding up to £40,000 GBP or $50,000 USD is available to cover a visit of up to 4 months to include travel, accommodation, applicable university and visa fees and necessary research expenses. Salary costs are not covered by this award.

Applications will be accepted from Alliance researchers regardless of career stage including PhD students. Applications for PhD students must be made on their behalf by their principal PhD Supervisor / Advisor.

Applicants must be a researcher at an ACED Member Centre and a current ACED member. ACED researchers may also apply for virtual opportunities to include costs for running training or request funding for related training/career development opportunities. It is the applicant’s responsibility to approach a potential Alliance Member Centre to identify and secure suitable learning and development opportunities.

Applicants are advised to read the guidelines and application form. Applications will be considered in any research area(s) listed in the ACED scientific strategy with a focus on early detection of primary cancer.

Completed applications must be submitted to Martin Bone martin.bone@manchester.ac.uk in MS Word format. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis while the scheme is open.

Funding decisions will be made at quarterly meetings of the Alliance Executive Board.

If you have any questions, please contact Martin Bone (martin.bone@manchester.ac.uk), Manchester ACED Programme Manager.

Contact us

For further information on projects and funding calls, please contact the ACED Manchester team:

Martin Bone, ACED Programme Manager
E: martin.bone@manchester.ac.uk

Stephanie Ng, ACED Project Manager
E: stephanie.ng@manchester.ac.uk

Kate Mavrou, ACED Project Manager
E: kate.mavrou@manchester.ac.uk