Research within cancer studies aims to understand the molecular pathology of head and neck cancers, primarily squamous cell carcinoma but also malignant salivary gland tumours; a major focus of the research is verifying at molecular and functional level, the role of candidate genes identified through high density SNP array analyses of these tumours; at molecular level, this involves mutation-, quantitative expression- and promoter hypermethylation-analyses; at functional level, this is involves assaying phenotypic effects of modulating expression of the candidate genes and identifying pathways in which the proteins encoded by these genes act; promising candidates are tested further for correlation of expression with clinical parameters and potential validation as biomarkers; flexibility is allowed within the parameters of the study to allow the research to evolve and instigate findings not envisaged at the outset of the work; this is complimented by a dedicated PhD training structure, which provides critical skills training, personal development and progression milestones; the PhD project can either be outlined by the academic supervisor offering the study or, alternatively, by an applicant seeking to work within a particular research area with a focused plan of research in mind; the supervisory team assist the applicant throughout the study ensuring academic objectives are met and suitable training is provided in core skills fundamental to the research; transferable skills training is provided by a dedicated graduate training programme offered by the faculty of medical and human sciences, which provides training in research methodology, critical writing skills, intellectual property, research ethics etc; students are expected to attend journal clubs, research meetings and talks within the school and university.