Careers at the ICR
We provide exceptional opportunities for the best scientists, clinicians, and professional and administrative staff, and excellent academic and recreational facilities at our two London sites, in Chelsea and Sutton.
As a world-leading research organisation, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, offers a fantastic working environment, great opportunities for career development and the chance to make a real difference for cancer patients. We aim to recruit and develop the best – with positions for outstanding scientists and clinicians, and the most talented professional or administrative staff.
Different types of positions at the ICR
Our aim is to attract the best people in cancer research. We offer an excellent working environment, competitive salaries and good staff benefits. There is a range of career paths at the ICR, in scientific research, research support, and professional and administrative positions.
We offer a variety of professional and administrative roles in areas such as facilities, fundraising, communication, IT, human resources, research services and education and library services.
Our professional services teams are tailored to meet the needs of a research organisation, and many of our employees in these teams have backgrounds in science, or experience of working with scientists and clinicians.
Our specialist finance team is experienced at dealing with research grants, and staff within our Business and Innovation Office have the expertise to negotiate complex collaborative agreements between the ICR and pharmaceutical and biotech companies.
We're recruiting the top figures in cancer research to work in a vibrant and confident culture that consistently produces world-changing research.
To become part of our career faculty, you will be an established senior researcher and have the proven leadership skills and international research credibility to direct major scientific programmes, and build and manage a motivated and high-performing scientific team.
Our culture emphasises the importance of collaborative working to address the big challenges in cancer research, and you will be expected to form part of the wider ICR team. You will also recruit and develop the research leaders of the future.
To join the ICR you’ll be a talented scientist looking for the next step after your initial postdoctoral studies. You’ll be ready to start leading a team independently under the mentorship of a leading senior scientist.
Personal fellowships, funded by a variety of medical research agencies and charities, are the usual route for new leaders to join us in areas in which we are traditionally very strong, such as cancer biology. Success as a fellow will put you on a fast-track route to gaining a long-term career at the ICR.
To join us you will have, or be in the process of gaining, a personal fellowship from one of the major national or international funding bodies, such as the Wellcome Trust, Cancer Research UK, one of the Research Councils, the Royal Society or the National Institute for Health Research.
For PhD graduates looking for a postdoctoral role. We offer a competitive salary, rigorous training, many opportunities for professional development, and an open and inclusive working culture.
We offer clinicians a variety of working opportunities, from working as a postdoctoral researcher in one of our eight scientific divisions, to carrying out independent research as a clinician scientist or clinical research fellow, to heading a specialised research team. We also offer clinicians the opportunity to develop their specialty, through a variety of taught or research-based postgraduate degrees.
Collaboration between scientists and clinicians is essential for the translational nature of the cutting-edge research carried out at the ICR. It gets new treatments to patients more quickly, and allows our researchers to learn from experience in the clinic.
Moving to the UK
We attract staff from all over the world. Find all the information you need to move to the United Kingdom to work with us.
Staff benefits
Find out more about the staff benefits we offer, including a competitive salary package, annual leave entitlements, and sports and social facilities.Some of our current vacancies
Cyber-Security Engineer
We are seeking a highly motivated Cyber-Security Engineer to safeguard our critical data and infrastructure from cyber threats by implementing and maintaining robust security solutions. Key Responsibilities: - Security Assessments & Vulnerability Management: Identifying weaknesses in systems and networks through vulnerability assessments and penetration testing. - Implementing Security Solutions: Putting in place firewalls, intrusion detection systems (IDS), and other tools to actively block and monitor for threats. - Patch Management: Ensuring all systems are up-to-date with the latest security patches to fix known vulnerabilities. - Security Monitoring & Incident Response: Keeping watch for suspicious activity and responding to security incidents effectively. This involves analysing logs, investigating alerts, and containing breaches. - Disaster Recovery & Business Continuity: Helping develop plans to restore systems and get the business back up and running quickly in case of a cyber attack or other disaster. - Staying Up-to-Date on Threats: Keeping current with the latest cyber security threats and trends to ensure the company's defences are always effective. - Security Policy Development & Enforcement: Creating and enforcing security policies to ensure everyone in the organization is following best practices. - Security Automation: Using automation tools to streamline security tasks and improve efficiency. Why Join Us? - Be a crucial part of a dedicated team committed to excellence. - Enjoy a collaborative and supportive work environment. - Make a real impact by helping users overcome technical challenges. If you have a knack for solving problems and a desire to help others, apply today to become our next Cyber-Security Engineer. Department/Directorate Information The Digital Services Directorate ensures that everyone at the ICR has access to the technology they need to do their jobs effectively including providing specialist IT support to the ICR's research community. We encourage all applicants to access the job pack attached for more detailed information regarding this role. For an informal discussion regarding the role, please contact Ian Andrews via Email at [email protected]
PDTF - Homologous Recombination Defective Cancers ( Profs Chris Lord and Andrew Tutt)
Under the guidance of Professors Chris Lord and Andrew Tutt, we are seeking to appoint a creative and motivated Postdoctoral Training Fellow to study how drug resistance emerges in homologous recombination defective (HRD) breast cancers and how this could be targeted. The post would suit a candidate with strong functional genomics and DDR biology experience who has a strong desire to work on solving clinical problems. We strongly encourage researchers with published first author manuscripts from their PhD training period to apply. About you The successful candidate must have a PhD in biology, genetics or other associated subjects and a knowledge of cancer biology, experimental genetics and of DNA damage response biology. An understanding of the clinical management of cancers is desirable, as is experience with in vivo models of cancer. Candidates who are nearing completion of their PhD are encourage to apply, but confirmation of awarded PhD is required within 6 months of employment. The ICR has a workforce agreement stating that Postdoctoral Training Fellows can only be employed for up to 7 years as PDTF at the ICR, providing total postdoctoral experience (including previous employment at this level elsewhere) does not exceed 7 years. For general information on Postdocs at The ICR, more information can be found here. Department/Directorate Information The Precision Oncology Laboratory, led by Profs. Chris Lord and Andrew Tutt, focuses upon identifying and understanding tumour specific dependencies, such as synthetic lethal effects, as a means to design novel approaches to treating cancer (Heider et al. Nat Genet. 2025). We have made major advances in identifying synthetic lethal interactions involving, for example, PARP inhibitors (Farmer et al Nature 2005, Edwards et al Nature 2008, Pettitt et al Cancer Discovery 2020, Krastev et al Nature Cell Biol 2022), ATR inhibitors (Williamson et al, Nature Communications 2016) and Polq inhibitors (Zatreanu et al Nature Comms 2021). We unashamably focus on clinical problems such as therapeutic resistance and the development of new targeted therapeutic approaches in cancer and aim to generate pre-clinical information that informs the design and interpretation of clinical trials and the identification of novel targets for drug discovery programmes. The Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre, within the Division of Breast Cancer Research at the ICR, began 25 years ago and was the first centre in the UK entirely devoted to breast cancer research. Our goal is to advance research into the causes, diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. It is located in state-of-the-art laboratory space, with excellent core facilities and is funded through a long-term renewable programme grant from Breast Cancer Now. The Centre is Directed by Clinician Scientist Professor Andrew Tutt. Professor Chris Lord, a Cancer Biologist is Deputy Director of the Centre. Our Breast Cancer Research Centre was awarded the 2022 AACR Teams Science awarded with our breast cancer clinical partners in the ICR’s CTSU clinical trial unit and Royal Marsden Hospital, and also received recognition in an award to the ICR for the 2024 Queen’s Anniversary Prize for transforming lives through world-leading breast cancer research. What we offer A dynamic and supportive research environment Access to state-of-the-art facilities and professional development opportunities Collaboration with leading researchers in the field Competitive salary and pension We encourage all applicants to access the job pack attached for more detailed information regarding this role. For an informal discussion regarding the role, please contact Dr Stephen Pettitt via email at [email protected]
Senior Technician - in vivo biology
About you The ICR is one of the world's leading cancer research institutes, aiming to defeat cancer. As a Senior Laboratory Technician you will contribute directly to this mission by supporting vital in vivo research. We are looking for a highly motivated, detail-oriented individual, committed to high-quality work. Key requirements include: Education and Knowledge BSc in Life Sciences or IAT Level 3 (Essential) Home Office Personal Licence (PILA, B, C) or equivalent (Essential) Understanding of tumour biology and pre-clinical models (Desirable) Skills Skilled in dissection, surgery, dosing of agents and sampling techniques (Essential) Strong organisational, communication and interpersonal skills (Essential) Ability to work independently and in a team with other scientists and BSU staff (Essential) Computer proficiency and willingness to pursue professional development (Essential) Experience Proven experience in in vivo oncology and PDX models (Essential) Strong foundation in animal (rodent) husbandry and behaviour (Essential) Experience in stereotaxic surgery, imaging techniques and sample preparation (Desirable) What we offer A dynamic and supportive research environment Access to state-of-the-art facilities and professional development opportunities Collaboration with leading researchers in the field Competitive salary and pension Department/Directorate Information We encourage all applicants to access the job pack attached for more detailed information regarding this role. For an informal discussion regarding the role, please contact Bishani Wickrama via email on: [email protected].
Business Development Manager
About the Role We are seeking a Business Development Manager to join The Institute of Cancer Research’s (ICR’s) Business and Innovation Office and contribute to to support a portfolio of academics by protecting and commercialising their research, supporting them in securing translational funding and to highlight to them the benefits of working with industry. The successful candidate will play a key role in strategic project evaluation, stakeholder engagement, IP protection, commercial deal-making (collaborations and licensing), and translational funding support. Key Responsibilities Identify and assess commercially viable research Protect IP and manage confidentiality agreements Draft and negotiate licensing and collaboration contracts Support translational funding applications Drive spinout opportunity management About You We are looking for a proactive, detail-oriented team player. PhD, MBA or equivalent in a relevant field Experience in business development or technology transfer Direct experience of negotiating and closing deals with external partners Strong communication, negotiation, and organizational skills What We Offer • Supportive, collaborative environment • Career development opportunities • Competitive salary and pension Department/Directorate Information The Business and Innovation Office drives commercialisation and strategic partnerships to maximise patient benefit. For more details, please refer to the job pack. For an informal discussion regarding the role, please contact Dr. Amritha Nair via Email on [email protected]
Trials Methodologist/ Senior Trials Methodologist (Statistics)
The Clinical Trials and Statistics Unit at The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR-CTSU) is expanding its statistical and methodology team. We want to hear from you if you: Enjoy the challenge of researching, developing, and implementing efficient trial methodology that would make a difference in patients’ lives. Seek variety in your work and opportunities to apply your statistical knowledge across multiple therapeutic areas in oncology. Thrive on being part of a multi-disciplinary research team with like-minded statisticians. Applications are now open for a Trials Methodologist/Senior Trials Methodologist (Statistics) position to join our team of over 20 statisticians. The post offers an excellent opportunity for an enthusiastic and well-motivated statistician to work in a dynamic and supportive academic environment at a leading cancer clinical trials unit. Key Requirements The successful applicant will be an experienced and highly motivated statistician interested in researching new statistical methods to improve efficiency in clinical trials and eager to apply their statistical knowledge across various therapeutic areas in oncology. The successful applicant will have a post-graduate qualification in statistics. They should demonstrate a solid understanding of clinical trials and experience in applying statistical methods to real-world data. Familiarity with Bayesian statistics is highly desirable. Effective oral and written communication skills, as well as enthusiasm for collaborating with others from diverse disciplines, are essential. Department/Directorate Information ICR-CTSU manages an exciting portfolio of national and international phase II and III clinical trials and an expanding number of early phase I/II cancer trials. You will contribute in shaping the development of methodological innovations and implementing efficient methods in new and ongoing trials, with a specific focus in early phase and adaptive trials. You will work as part of a multi-disciplinary team on trials methodology research and on the statistical development, oversight, and analysis of a number of clinical trials within ICR-CTSU’s portfolio and early phase portfolio in collaboration with external organisation and the Drug Development Unit. We encourage all applicants to access the job pack attached for more detailed information regarding this role. This is an office-based role. Requests for hybrid working (splitting time between our Sutton site and home) may be considered following successful completion of key training and if the role allows. Flexible working options may be considered. For informal discussion about the Trial Methodologist/Senior Trial Methodologist (Statistics) post, please contact Professor Christina Yap/ Dr Jan Rekowski, email: [email protected] and [email protected] For general queries about the recruitment process, please contact ICR-CTSU, email: [email protected]
Philanthropy Officer
About the Role We are seeking a motivated Philanthropy Officer to join our Development and Communications Directorate. In this role, you will help drive the ICR's fundraising efforts by securing philanthropic support from individual donors to fund pioneering research programmes and initiatives. The Institute of Cancer Research, London (ICR) has a proud track record of making the discoveries that defeat cancer. The Development Team is responsible for maximising support from major donors, individuals, trusts, corporates, charity partners and events. We raise in excess of £14m per annum and our fundraising strategy sets us on course to significantly grow this amount in the next few years. We are motivated by the awe-inspiring work of our scientists and clinicians, and confident in the knowledge that the quality of our research is unsurpassed. Key Responsibilities The successful candidate will play a vital role in in the Philanthropy team, building relationships with high value donors and potential donors and leading on a strategic stewardship programme to advance cancer research funding and impact. Working closely with colleagues, you will: Manage a portfolio of philanthropy donors and potential donors to secure vital philanthropic support Lead on the design and implementation of a stewardship programme to strengthen engagement and ensure a consistent, high-quality experience Support colleagues in the delivery of tailored cultivation and stewardship plans. About You The ideal candidate will excel at building and developing external relationships and possess excellent communication and interpersonal skills. You will be educated to degree level or equivalent; demonstrate a solid understanding of philanthropy and fundraising from high-net-worth individuals; be confident and professional in approach; and have strong organisation and project management skills. You will be passionate about helping the ICR achieve its mission to make the discoveries that defeat cancer. What We Offer A supportive and collaborative working environment. Opportunities for professional development and career progression. Competitive salary and pension We encourage all applicants to access the job pack attached for more detailed information regarding this role. For an informal discussion regarding the role, please contact Donna Heenan on 0203 437 6399 or [email protected].
Postdoctoral Training Fellow - Thoracic Oncology & Immunotherapy Group
Under the guidance of Dr Astero Klampatsa, we are seeking to recruit a Postdoctoral Training Fellow to lead a research project targeting the mesothelioma solid tumour microenvironment with CAR-T cell therapy. The successful candidate will join the Thoracic Oncology & Immunotherapy Group, led by Dr Klampatsa, which works on development of CAR-T cell strategies for thoracic malignancies, as well as immunology-based projects in mesothelioma. Key responsibilities of the successful candidate include: a) to design and engineer novel CAR constructs using viral and non-viral gene delivery methods, b) undertake the preclinical testing of the developed CAR-T cell therapies in vitro and in vivo in mesothelioma mouse models via an array of functional assays, flow cytometry, PCR, qPCR, and Western blotting, c) lead the analysis of experimental data and interpretation of results, d) assume some lab management duties. About you The successful candidate must have: Educational Background: A Ph.D. in Immunology, Biotechnology, Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, or a closely related field is required. Candidates who are nearing completion of their PhD may apply, but confirmation on awarded PhD is required within 6 months of employment. Technical Expertise: Proficiency in primary T cell isolation, culture, and genetic modification. Prior experience with viral transgene delivery. Strong foundation in molecular biology techniques. Hands-on experience with multicolour flow cytometry. Demonstrated experience with in vitro functional assays. Prior experience with in vivo models. Problem-Solving Skills: Excellent analytical and problem-solving abilities with a proven track record of troubleshooting experiments. Communication: Strong written and oral communication skills, with the ability to present complex scientific concepts clearly and concisely. Preferred Qualifications Postdoctoral or industry experience in a CAR-T cell therapy or immuno-oncology/immunology setting. Knowledge of CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing. Proficiency in bioinformatics tools for data analysis. Knowledge of Good Laboratory Practices (GLP). The ICR has a workforce agreement stating that Postdoctoral Training Fellows can only be employed for up to 7 years as PDTF at the ICR, providing total postdoctoral experience (including previous employment at this level elsewhere) does not exceed 7 years. For general information on Postdocs at The ICR, more information can be found here. Department/Directorate Information The Division of Cancer Therapeutics brings together a wide variety of disciplines, including cell and molecular biology, pharmacology, tumour modelling, computational and structural biology, and medicinal chemistry, in order to select promising drug targets, design effective prototype drugs and biomarkers, and develop strategies to counter drug resistance. Find more information here: https://www.icr.ac.uk/research-and-discoveries/icr-divisions/cancer-therapeutics What we offer A dynamic and supportive research environment Access to state-of-the-art facilities and professional development opportunities Collaboration with leading researchers in the field Competitive salary and pension We encourage all applicants to access the job pack attached for more detailed information regarding this role. For an informal discussion regarding the role, please contact Dr Astero Klampatsa via Email: [email protected]
Clinician Scientist and Honorary Consultant in Neuropathology
We are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated clinical academic researcher to establish an independent research programme in Children and Young People’s Brain Tumour Research. In addition, the post-holder will have a 50% clinical post with Great Ormond Street Hospital (GOSH) as detailed in the clinical job plan, and will be expected to develop meaningful collaborations, and to help build molecular pathology research capacity across both institutions. It is intended that the new appointee will support the GOSH neuropathology service and will be expected to contribute to the surgical pathology and post-mortem responsibilities alongside the other Consultant Neuropathologists at GOSH. The appointment will be clinician scientist level with an associated honorary consultant appointment at GOSH. This post is a full-time joint academic and NHS consultant post (10 PAs incl. 2 SPAs). The appointee will split their time between academic work at the Institute of Cancer Research (5PAs) and diagnostic neuropathology work at Great Ormond Street Hospital (5PAs). About you We aim to recruit an academic neuropathologist with extensive molecular biology research and clinical diagnostic experience to bring cutting-edge molecular analyses to bear to the most pressing questions in children and young people’s brain tumour classification and biology. The aim of such research could include, but not be restricted to, the refinement of recognised diagnostic classification though the application of novel analytical techniques and/or computational methods, the mechanistic understanding of distinct biological drivers of novel brain tumour subgroups, and the use of single cell developmental atlases to identity the lineages of origin of distinct molecularly-defined subtypes. There should be a strong integration of morphological, clinical and molecular analyses. You will have clinical and research expertise in paediatric neuropathology as demonstrated by specialist clinical experience and publication. Department/Directorate Information ICR: Through our Centre for Children and Young People’s Cancer (CCC) we are keen to develop outstanding researchers in this area. In particular, we are keen to expand our research in CNS tumours in this age group, taking advantage of both the existing expertise, and also the considerable opportunities afforded by recent advances in the biological characterisation of these tumours, linked to integration of molecular profiling techniques into classification and routine diagnostics. Brain tumours in children and young people represent a remarkably diverse set of tumours, marked by a plethora of distinct biological and clinical subgroups within pathological entities, and with a wide range of lineages of origin despite often similar histological presentations. Whilst we have an increased understanding of many such tumour types, there remains a large unmet need to further refine classification schema, particularly for rare entities, and to translate the identification of pathognomic driver alterations into novel diagnostic tests and/or therapies. The Division of Cancer Biology is focused on understanding the molecular alterations important in the development and progression of cancer, and in determining how the disease responds to treatment. The goal is to translate advances in the molecular characterisation of tumours into approaches to successfully implement personalised cancer treatment. The Division of Cancer Biology was previously known as the Division of Molecular Pathology. The division's name was changed in February 2025 to better reflect the science happening within it. GOSH: It is intended that the new appointee will support the neuropathology service and will be expected to contribute to the surgical pathology and post-mortem responsibilities alongside the other Consultant Neuropathologists at GOSH. What we offer A dynamic and supportive research environment Access to state-of-the-art facilities and professional development opportunities Collaboration with leading researchers in the field Competitive salary and pension We encourage all applicants to access the job pack attached for more detailed information regarding this role. For an informal discussion regarding the role, please contact Professor Chris Jones [email protected]