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Study and Careers

As the UK’s leading academic research centre, The Institute of Cancer Research offers a fantastic work and study environment, great opportunities for development and the chance to make a real difference for cancer patients. We aim to train, recruit and develop the best – with positions for outstanding scientists and clinicians, and the most talented professional or administrative staff.

Studying at the ICR

Our competitive programmes and specialised courses are designed for the next generation of cancer researchers and clinicians.

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PhD projects and opportunities

We offer 20 fully funded PhD studentships each year. Our main round opens in October, but we also advertise projects throughout the year. 

 

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Opportunities for clinicians

At The Institute of Cancer Research, London, we offer clinicians a variety of opportunities – from a taught master's course in Oncology, to fellowships providing protected time for research, and higher research degrees.

MSc in Oncology

The Taught Course in Oncology is a day-release modular programme designed for medically qualified candidates who intend to pursue a professional career in some aspect of clinical or medical oncology, either as a clinical academic or a clinician.

Why study with us?

By providing world-class expertise and support to students at The Institute of Cancer Research, we hope to advance cancer research and clinical practice not only within our organisation, but throughout the field.

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Support moving to the UK

Whether you're a student or a full time employee, you'll get a variety of social, welfare and accommodation benefits and advice, to help your move to the UK.
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Working life and benefits

As a world-leading cancer research organisation, we are a dynamic and exciting place to work - with various benefits and support if you’re moving to the UK.

More about roles at the ICR

Our discoveries are made possible by a mix of scientists at different levels, as well as the leadership and corporate roles that keep us running day to day.

Current openings 

We offer 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 postdocs, scientists and clinicians, and professional or administrative staff - see the latest below:

Group Leader in In Vivo Cancer Modelling

  • Sutton
  • Cancer Biology
  • Salary : From £66,092 per annum

The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) in London seeks to appoint a Group Leader in In Vivo Cancer Modelling to play a pivotal role in advancing our cutting-edge cancer research. The position is based at the newly established Centre for In Vivo Modelling (CIVM), part of the Division of Cancer Biology. We welcome applications at both the Career Development Faculty and Career Faculty levels. Key Requirements The successful candidate will generate and employ state-of-the-art genetic and humanised mouse models of cancer to tackle fundamental and translational questions in haemato-oncology and/or solid tumour oncology. In addition to leading a successful research group, they will expand the CIVM's research capabilities and foster productive collaborations with other groups and centres at the ICR, thus promoting in vivo modelling by integrating it into multidisciplinary projects and initiatives. Applicants must have an internationally recognised track record of leading research in in vivo modelling and advanced mouse genetics, demonstrated by high-quality publications and significant funding success. For more junior candidates, an outstanding track record in cancer research, coupled with a compelling research vision leveraging advanced genetic mouse models and clear potential to secure competitive external funding, is essential. As part of your online application you will be required to upload your full CV which will pre-populate your application form, you will also be asked to attach the following documents and failure to do so will mean your application cannot be considered on this occasion: Lists of major publications, achievements, research grants, distinctions. Research plan (five to six pages outlining your current research interests and research programme for the next 5 years) A PDF of a maximum of five key publications, or other research outputs (e.g. patents) that best demonstrate previous productivity You must also complete the personal statement section of the application form in the format of a covering letter including the names and contact details of three academic referees Department/Directorate Information: The ICR is one of the world’s most influential cancer research institutions, with an outstanding track record of achievement dating back more than 100 years. In addition to being one of the UK’s leading higher education institutions for research quality and impact, the ICR is consistently ranked among the world’s most successful for industry collaboration. As a member institution of the University of London, we also provide postgraduate higher education of international distinction. One of the ICR’s key research strategies is to defeat cancer by viewing it as a dynamic ecosystem. We aim to solidify our expertise in state-of-the-art in vivo cancer models to probe these complex cancer ecosystems, discover their underlying biology, and identify new therapeutic targets. The postholder will significantly contribute to driving these strategic priorities. We encourage all applicants to access the job pack attached for more detailed information regarding this role. If you would like to informally discuss this position, please contact Professor Kamil R. Kranc ([email protected]), Director of the Centre for In Vivo Modelling, or Professor Chris Jones ([email protected]), Head of the Division of Cancer Biology at the ICR.

Postdoctoral Training Fellow - Microenvironment

  • Sutton
  • Translational Immunotherapy
  • Salary: £45,600
  • Fixed term

Under the guidance of Anna Wilkins and Magnus Dillon, we are seeking to recruit a Postdoctoral Training Fellow to contribute to a project on the microenvironmental effects of radiotherapy, assessing the microenvironmental effects of advanced radiation technologies in vivo and conducting analyses of radiotherapy-treated human tumour tissues. The successful candidate will play a key role in developing our knowledge of the effect of radiation (microbeam +/- FLASH) on fibroblast and myeloid populations in pancreatic and bladder cancer models. About you The successful candidate must have: - a home office licence and prior experience of in vivo mouse work - immunology experience, either using multiparameter flow cytometry, development and analysis of multiplex immunofluorescence or spatial transcriptomic data analysis 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 Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging brings together research groups that work on how to use radiation therapy, guided by state-of-the-art imaging techniques, in the most effective way to cure cancer. Our work is based on the central idea that the best outcomes will be achieved by delivering curative radiation doses to tumours, while limiting radiation damage of neighbouring normal tissues. Our therapy often includes adding drug treatments alongside radiation therapy as a means of killing cancer cells more effectively and, at the same time, activating anti-tumour immune responses. Preclinical work includes research that combines radiation therapy with radiation sensitisers and biological response modifiers (for example innate immune activators, immune checkpoint inhibitors) to maximise anti-tumour efficacy and give protection against tumour recurrence. Multiple translational clinical studies seek to address these themes through our collaborators in the Royal Marsden. Overall, our mission is to cure more patients with fewer immediate and long-term side effects of treatment. Biological enhancement of radiotherapy and Stromal Radiobiology Groups The Biological Enhancement of Radiotherapy and Stromal Radiobiology Groups (led by Magnus Dillon and Anna Wilkins) aim to understand how the tumour microenvironment drives radiotherapy resistance. The groups focus on gastrointestinal and bladder cancers with an emphasis on integrating findings from preclinical models and patient samples. The immunostimulatory effect of radiation is often restrained by suppressive cells in the tumour microenvironment. These include certain populations of cancer-associated fibroblasts, macrophages, myeloid-derived suppressor cells and tumour-associated neutrophils. Both fibroblast and macrophage activation and polarity can be affected by radiation, with dose-dependent effects. The effect of dose-rate is unknown, but delivering radiation at ultra-high dose-rates (FLASH) is believed to have reduced effects on normal tissues, including immune cells. Microbeam radiotherapy offers the opportunity to modulate different spatially-distributed populations by exposure to different radiation doses. Using these technologies may allow the delivery of radiation which (a) preserves and (b) stimulates anti-tumour immune cells, when compared to standard treatment. We work collaboratively within other groups in the Centre for Immunotherapy of Cancer and the Centre for Cancer Imaging 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 [email protected] or [email protected]

HR Payroll Specialist

  • Sutton
  • Human Resources
  • Salary: £48,925 - £59,225 per annum
  • Fixed term

About the Role We are seeking a Payroll Specialist to join our HR Team and contribute in providing high quality, proactive HR and Payroll support focused on ensuring a resilient, streamlined monthly end to end process for implementing HR changes and managing the Payroll service, in line with our policies and procedures and to agreed service levels. The role will also provide expertise, additional resilience and capacity across the HR and payroll function to support the HR department in the implementation of the Oracle Cloud solution, as well as directly feeding into the programme where required, participating in workshops and meetings and disseminating relevant information to HR colleagues. Key Responsibilities To take lead responsibility for the monthly payroll processing timetable from the HR perspective. To ensure all changes input into the system are actioned in time for the monthly payroll cut-off and that inputs have the correct impact on the employee's payslip in each case. To be a source of expert knowledge on the various elements that might apply to an employee's pay. To be a source of expert knowledge and guidance on all payroll taxes, including the tax implications of salary sacrifice arrangements and benefits in kind. To be involved in the annual pay review processing and implementation. About You We are looking for someone with demonstratable experience of working in an HR/Payroll function. And: Educated to degree level in a related field or equivalent relevant experience Part qualified membership status of the CIPD or equivalent knowledge and experience Excellent organisational and time-management skills Strong communication and interpersonal abilities What We Offer A supportive and collaborative working environment. 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 Karen Grieff via email @ [email protected].

Scientific Officer

  • Chelsea
  • Radiotherapy and Imaging
  • Salary:£31,445 - £36,410 per annum
  • Fixed term

Under the leadership of Prof. Kevin Harrington, we are seeking to recruit a Scientific Officer to contribute to radiotherapy / immunotherapy-focused research projects. The candidate will be part of the Targeted Therapy team at The Institute of Cancer Research, on Fulham Road, in London. Our team focuses on radiotherapy / immunotherapy combinations for cancer treatment. The successful candidate will play a key role in conducting experiments, analysing data and provide technical support for in vitro and ex vivo assays as well as analyses of in vivo samples. The technical work will focus on cell culture and maintenance and in vitro assays including various tumour cell assays and immunology read-out assays. The candidate will support research activities across multiple projects under the lead and supervision of senior members of the team. About you The successful candidate must have: MSc in Biological science (or equivalent) Experience in cell culture and molecular biology assays and cell based assays in vitro. Experience in flow cytometry is desirable. High attention to detail and keep daily accurate scientific records. Enjoy working independently and as part of a team. Department/Directorate Information The Candidate will work in the Targeted Therapy Team within the division of Radiotherapy and Imaging, headed by Professor Kevin Harrington. 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. Malin Pedersen ([email protected]) or Dr. Emmanuel Patin ([email protected]).