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
Postdoctoral Training Fellow
Under the leadership of Claudio Alfieri, we are seeking to appoint a Postdoctoral Training Fellow to join the Molecular Mechanisms of Cell Cycle Regulation Group at the Chester Beatty Laboratories, Fulham Road in London. This project aims to investigate the molecular mechanisms of cell cycle regulation by macromolecular complexes involved in cell proliferation decisions, by combining genome engineering, proteomics and in situ structural biology. For general information on Post Doc's at The ICR can be found here. Key Requirements The successful candidate must have a PhD in cellular biochemistry and experience in Cryo-EM and CLEM is desirable. 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 Department/Directorate Information: The candidate will work in the Molecular Mechanisms of Cell Cycle Regulation Group within the ICR Division of Structural Biology headed by Prof. Laurence Pearl and Prof. Sebastian Guettler. The division has state-of-the-art facilities for protein expression and biophysics/x-ray crystallography, in particular the Electron Microscopy Facility is equipped with a Glacios 200kV with Falcon 4i detector with Selectris energy filter and the ICR has access to Krios microscopes via eBIC and the LonCEM consortium. 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 Claudio Alfieri via Email on [email protected]
Higher Scientific Officer - Drug Discovery Biology, Centre for Protein Degradation
We are seeking to recruit a Higher Scientific Officer within the Induced Proximity Therapeutics (IPT) Team in the ICR Centre for Protein Degradation to support our molecular glue and PROTAC drug discovery projects and expand induced proximity technology. The IPT team focuses on three main areas of research: Cancer target validation Screening, profiling and molecular mechanism of action of molecular glue and PROTAC degraders Novel E3 ligase biology and ligand discovery The successful candidate will work in a multidisciplinary team and play a key role in target validation, developing in vitro and cell-based assays, and pharmacological characterisation of novel molecular glue degraders and PROTACs, but may also contribute to other activities. About you The successful candidate: Will be a strong team player who is technically minded and passionate about science and cancer drug discovery Will hold a first degree, and preferably a PhD, in biological science or biochemistry Will have experience in cancer biology/target validation, genetic manipulation techniques, in vitro and cell-based assay development and pharmacological compound profiling Experience in targeted protein degradation will be a significant advantage. Department/Directorate Information This position will be based in the ICR's Centre for Protein Degradation, a part of the Centre for Cancer Drug Discovery (CCDD) specialising in developing novel drug modalities that re-wire tumour cells' signalling by targeted degradation of key oncogenic drivers. Our experienced biologists work closely with medicinal chemists, biophysicists, computational scientists, oncology specialists and physicians on discovering new medicines - molecular glue degraders and PROTACs - using innovative screening platforms and characterising their mechanisms of action, as well as expanding the repertoire of novel degradable drug targets and E3 ligases (enzymes that mediate protein degradation). Our research provides a nucleus for the academics and pharmaceutical industry to explore therapeutic potential of targeted protein degradation from laboratory hypothesis-testing to early clinical trials, for the benefit of cancer patients. What we offer A dynamic and supportive research environment in one of the successful academic cancer drug discovery centres in the UK Access to state-of-the-art facilities and professional development Collaboration with leading drug discovery and oncology scientist Competitive salary and pension To learn more about this role, please download the attached job pack. For informal inquiries, please contact Dr Agnieszka Konopacka, Group Leader, Induced Proximity Therapeutics, Centre for Protein Degradation via email: [email protected].
Postdoctoral Training Fellow - Medicinal Chemistry
Under the guidance of Dr Gurdip Bhalay, we are looking for a talented synthetic chemist with an interest in medicinal chemistry to join a project team focussing on the design and application of small molecules in immuno-oncology, which seeks to harness the body’s own immune system to destroy cancer cells. Our aim is to use multi-parameter optimisation in conjunction with structure-based drug design to generate high quality pre-clinical candidate drugs. About you The successful candidate will work as part of a multidisciplinary project team to use in house data and structural information to design new molecules then develop and execute synthetic routes to make these compounds in the lab. The candidate will develop their existing skills in organic chemistry as well as their knowledge and experience of applied medicinal chemistry. Candidates who are nearing completion of their PhD may apply, but confirmation on 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 Cancer Research UK Cancer Therapeutics Unit, within the Division of Cancer Therapeutics, is a multidisciplinary 'bench to bedside' centre, comprising around 200 staff dedicated to the discovery and development of novel therapeutics for the treatment of cancer. The Cancer Therapeutics Unit’s exciting goal is to discover high quality drug candidates for validated biological targets and to progress these candidates to clinical trial. All the scientific disciplines are in place to make this possible. Our world-class biologists, chemists and drug metabolism specialists work together focusing on new molecular targets emerging from human genome and ground breaking cell biology research. This is an exciting and fast moving area of cancer research, and offers the opportunity to work within a multi-disciplinary environment using state-of-the-art techniques and equipment. Department/Directorate Information: Medicinal Chemistry Team 1 is one of several medicinal chemistry teams based on our Sutton site, in state-of-the-art laboratories, in the Centre for Cancer Drug Discovery. 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. Due to the high volumes of applications we receive, we reserve the right to close the advert before the published closing date once we have received a sufficient number of applications. Therefore we advise that you to submit your application, as early as possible to avoid disappointment.
Postdoctoral Training Fellow - Radiotherasonics
Under the guidance of Dr Kathy Chan, we are seeking to recruit a talented and motivated Postdoctoral Training Fellow to join the Experimental and Translational Theranostic group at the Centre for Cancer Imaging, Sutton. The research focuses on the development of next-generation ‘radiotheranostics’ – whole-body radionuclide-based imaging and therapeutic tools for cancer detection and treatment, and explore biological effects of radionuclide therapy to identify druggable targets and help develop novel therapeutic strategies to fight cancer. This position will provide excellent opportunities to interact within a multidisciplinary environment of staff within imaging, radiotherapy, drug development and molecular pathology, and explore new avenues of research. Key requirements The successful candidate must have a PhD in cancer biology, molecular biology, radiochemistry, medicinal chemistry or a related discipline. Experience in in radiopharmaceutical development for preclinical cancer models and immuno-oncology is desirable. 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 candidate will work in the Experimental and Translational Theranostic Group within the ICR Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, which provides an integrated environment for multi-modality pre-clinical imaging, co-locating 7T and 1T MRI systems, a PET/SPECT/CT system, multispectral optoacoustic and ultrasound imaging platforms, bioluminescence imaging systems and micro-CT. 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 Kathy Chan via Email on [email protected].
Scientific Officer - Target Validation and DNA Damage Response Group (Prof Andrew Tutt)
We are looking to recruit a Scientific Officer to provide technical support for projects running in the laboratory. The majority of these projects focus on identifying and validating biomarkers and relevant therapy targets in breast cancer and studying the underlying biology of the disease. There is a particular focus on triple-negative breast cancer and breast cancers with defects in DNA repair and genome instability. The laboratory has access to patient material, including a unique collection of breast cancer organoid models. The successful candidate will assist with a variety of molecular biology, cell culture and DNA repair assays, as well as assist with the smooth running of of the laboratory. About you The successful candidate must have: BSc in molecular or cellular biology (or equivalent) Experience in tissue culture Department/Directorate Information The Target Validation and DNA Damage Response Group, led by Professor Andrew Tutt, and the Gene Function Group, led by Professor Chris Lord work together to better characterise BRCA1/BRCA2-associated cancers and ER/HER2-negative breast cancers, with a focus on identifying tumour-specific dependencies, such as synthetic lethal effects, to develop new cancer treatments and biomarkers. 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 Valeria Amodeo via email, [email protected]
Quality Assurance Manager
We would like to appoint a Quality Assurance Manager to be responsible for the design, implementation, maintenance and ongoing improvement of the quality assurance systems of ICR Clinical Trials. The post holder will report to the ICR-CTSU Assistant Operations Director and will provide QA leadership to the joint ICR-CTSU/DDU IIT Quality Assurance Review Team (a multidisciplinary team of trial managers, statisticians, data managers, IT specialists and research administrators with responsibility for on-going review of the quality management system). The post holder will plan, coordinate and conduct audits of clinical trial documentation and procedures and be responsible for ensuring procedures are fit for purpose and commensurate with level of risk. The post holder will provide quality assurance advice and support to colleagues within ICR-CTSU and DDU IIT and represent ICR-CTSU at relevant meetings within the wider ICR and Royal Marsden (RM) institutions and nationally, as required. ICR-CTSU is in the process of implementing cloud-based e-trial solutions, including eTMF, to support their trials portfolios. The post-holder will have a key role in ensuring quality processes for implementation and on-going use. Key Requirements The successful candidate will have expert knowledge of quality systems in clinical research and a proven track record in the design, conduct and reporting of audits and the development and management of an annual audit program. Experience of developing Standard Operating Procedures and management of a Quality Management System is also essential. Candidates will have working knowledge of the Medicines for Human Use (Clinical Trials Regulations) 2004, Data Protection Act (1998), GCP and Research Governance. Experience and working knowledge of pharmacovigilance reporting is preferable. Candidates must demonstrate effective verbal and written communication and have excellent organisational skills. Department/Directorate Information The ICR's Clinical Trials and Statistics Unit (ICR-CTSU) is seeking a Quality Assurance Manager to join their team at ICR’s Sutton site in Surrey. ICR-CTSU runs a diverse portfolio of national and international phase III multicentre randomised controlled trials, and phase II trials of targeted treatments with a focus on breast, urological and head and neck cancer treatments. The post-holder will also work with the ICR’s Drug Development Unit (DDU) to align Quality Assurance activities across ICR sponsored clinical trials. The DDU specialises in first-in-human trials and provides a pathway from pre clinical drug discovery through to proof of principle phase I trials and tumour specific evaluation of novel agents . Informal enquiries can be made by emailing [email protected]. We encourage all applicants to access the job pack attached for more detailed information regarding this role.
Clinical Trial Manager
Summary of Role The Institute of Cancer Research is looking for a Senior Clinical Trials Manager to join The Drug Development Unit (DDU) at its Sutton site in Surrey to work within the unit’s investigator-sponsored studies team. The successful applicant will be responsible for the day-to-day management of allocated Phase I clinical trials to ensure successful and timely trial delivery ensuring compliance with GCP and UK Clinical Trials legislation. Key Requirements You should be a graduate in a life science or health related subject and have an understanding of Good Clinical Practice and the drug development process. This post is an excellent opportunity for an enthusiastic and well-motivated person to work in the largest academic Drug Development Unit in Europe. Excellent interpersonal skills are required, as is the ability to work to high standards across a variety of tasks with constant regard to scientific and regulatory requirements. Minimum of a first degree or equivalent qualification in biomedical sciences or an allied subject (including health care disciplines). Right to work in the UK. Department/Directorate Information This position is within the Investigator Initiated Trial Team of the joint ICR/RM Drug Development Unit. The Drug Development Unit, led by Professor Johann de Bono aims to seamlessly integrate preclinical drug discovery, proof-of-principle phase I trials and tumour-specific evaluation of novel agents. It is a conduit for the two-way communication between laboratory and clinical teams that is so essential for successful modern drug development. The unit conducts first-in-man phase I trials involving a range of targets, including growth factor or intracellular signalling, angiogenesis, apoptosis, epigenetics and DNA repair. All trials are underpinned by extensive analysis of biomarkers, both predictive and pharmacodynamics. The DDU includes The Oak Foundation Drug Development Centre (Oak Ward) housed within The Royal Marsden at the Sutton site and specifically designed for phase I clinical trials. Opened in February 2005, the centre provides 10 inpatient beds, five treatment chairs and two outpatient suites, and allows researchers to enter almost 300 patients onto phase I trials each year. This makes the unit one of the largest of its kind in the world. The DDU also has portfolio of investigator-initiated trials of novel targeted agents and combinations of these, working with the ECMC network across the UK and with other Phase I units internationally. These studies are centrally managed by a dedicated team within the DDU that performs those functions associated with sponsoring early phase trials including project management, monitoring, pharmacovigilance, database development and central data review. The successful applicant will be responsible for the day-to-day management of allocated Phase I clinical trials to ensure successful and timely trial delivery ensuring with GCP and UK Clinical Trials legislation. We encourage all applicants to access the job pack, linked, for more detailed information on this role. For an informal discussion regarding the role, please contact the recruiting team via Email on [email protected] To apply for this post, please submit an online application including a supporting statement, detailing reasons why you are applying for the post and with your CV. 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 the recruiting team by email on [email protected]
Head of Investigator Initiated Trials Unit
An exciting and unique opportunity has arisen to lead our Investigator-Initiated Trials (IIT) Team. This Head of IIT role will shape strategy, oversee a diverse portfolio of academic, early phase oncology clinical trials, and collaborate with world-leading researchers, industry and academic collaborators and various governance committees. The ideal candidate will bring deep expertise in clinical research, a strong leadership presence, and a passion for patient-centred academic clinical trials. With a focus on advancing hypothesis driven, biomarker enriched clinical trials through academic research, this position offers an excellent opportunity for those looking to make a significant impact in drug development. Key Requirements The post holder will be educated to at least degree level in life sciences or a health-related field, with demonstrable experience in leading a team and working in clinical trials. They must have an excellent understanding of the conduct of Phase I oncology trials, demonstrable people management skills, strong communication skills to effectively engage with collaborators, including investigators, sponsors and regulatory bodies. The post holder must be highly organised and able to plan work around a busy clinical unit. Institution Information The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) is one of the world’s most influential cancer research institutes with an outstanding record of achievement dating back more than 100 years. The scientists at the ICR have contributed to identifying several cancer genes, discovered multiple practice changing cancer drugs and have developed precision therapies. Together with our hospital partner The Royal Marsden (RM), we are rated in the top four centres for cancer research and treatment worldwide. The ICR was ranked first in the UK for its research in biological sciences in a combined assessment of research quality, impact and environment; and overall, second in the UK among all higher Education institutions in REF 2021 analysis. As an academic institute, ICR is a college of the University of London and has a charitable status. The institute operates with funding support from grants, partner organisations, charities, donors, industry partners and the general public. The ICR has more than 1,000 staff, researchers and students across three sites – in Chelsea and Sutton. The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust is a world-leading specialist cancer hospital. The Institute of Cancer Research works in close partnership with The Royal Marsden to take the results of our research rapidly into the clinic, with the aim of developing better treatments for cancer patients. Department/Directorate Information The ICR and The Royal Marsden are internationally renowned for our work together to conduct early- and late-phase clinical trials. Our joint Drug Development Unit (DDU), which sees around 300 patients per year, is one of the largest centres for phase I trials in the world and makes an important contribution to the worldwide effort to discover and develop new cancer drugs. Investigator Initiated Trials (IIT) Team is a dedicated academic trials management team within the DDU, performs functions associated with sponsoring early phase trials including trial initiation, trial development, project management, trial monitoring, pharmacovigilance, database development, safety review and trials reporting. This team aims to seamlessly integrate preclinical drug discovery, proof-of-principle phase I trials and tumour-specific evaluation of novel agents. Post Benefits We offer a fantastic working environment, great opportunities for career development and the chance to make a real difference to defeat cancer. The annual leave entitlement for full time employees is 28 days per annum on joining. This will increase by a further day after 2 years’ and 5 years' service. Staff membership to the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS) is available. The USS is a defined benefit scheme and provides a highly competitive pension scheme with robust benefits. If staff are transferring from the NHS, they can opt to remain members of the NHS Pension Scheme. We offer a range of family friendly benefits maternity/paternity support, mentoring schemes, a free and confidential Employee Assistance Programme which offers a range of well-being, financial and legal advice services, staff restaurants, and access to a gym and sporting facilities. Application Process To apply for this post, please submit an online application including a supporting statement, detailing reasons why you are applying for the post and with your CV. We encourage all applicants to access the job pack attached for more detailed information regarding this role. Due to the high volumes of applications we receive, we reserve the right to close the advert before the published closing date once we have received a sufficient number of applications. Therefore, we advise that you to submit your application, as early as possible to avoid disappointment. Informal enquiries can be made to Dr Bindu Baikady at [email protected]