Postdocs
As a postdoc at the ICR, you’ll be working at the forefront of cancer research, in an environment that’s collaborative, international and inclusive.
We aim to attract the best scientific minds, wherever in the world they come from. With postdocs from all over the UK and the world, you'll be joining a welcoming community that prioritises training the next generation of world-leading researchers. You’ll also benefit from our strong links with our partner hospital, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, as well as our links with companies through industrial partnerships.
Benefits and culture
We offer a competitive salary, rigorous training, many opportunities for professional development, and an open and inclusive working culture. Our PostDoc Association, faculty and learning and development team work closely to support postdocs.
We also offer generous annual leave and family-friendly policies that support parents, including stop the clock, which supports maternity leave during research.
Reimbursing your visa and other costs
Successful applicants will be able to claim the cost of their visa and of the immigration health surcharge (IHS) for themselves and for their dependants once they have joined. This is a taxable benefit. Applicants often find the UK visa application process to be less onerous than for some other countries, such as the United States.
We provide extensive training and development opportunities that will help prepare for your future career inside or outside academia.
Throughout your postdoc fellowship, you’ll be offered training and support to help you to develop your skills in key areas such as high-impact publishing, managing research projects, leadership and career planning.
Getting started
We run training sessions for new postdocs, as well as a postdoc buddy system to help you to settle into your new role. We normally pair you with someone from a different discipline, to broaden your network. We can also try to match you with someone who speaks your native language.
Training and support
As signatories of the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers, we are committed to providing our postdocs with at least 10 days each year for their personal and career development. We offer a wide range of activities that you can tailor to your career stage, research interests and career ambitions. These include:
- On-the-job training – such as shadowing funding panels, grant writing, peer review, supervising and mentoring others, lab visits, committee membership and project-related placements.
- Informal opportunities – such as building professional networks, engaging with the ICR Postdoc Committee, participating in conference organising committees, mentoring (as mentor or mentee), and 1:1 career support with consultants employed by the ICR.
- Formal training and professional development courses – on topics ranging from supervisor training, writing and publishing, and statistics, to project management and entrepreneurship.
The Pathway to Independence – a competitive programme that we run in collaboration with the Wellcome Sanger Institute and CRUK, is also an option for postdocs who are aiming to become academic team leaders.
We also provide training on science communication and outreach to support your participation in our public engagement programme.
You'll be joining a diverse and talented community of postdocs who come to work here from all over the UK and the world.
We’ve around 150 postdocs working at the ICR from across dozens of countries around the world at any one time. Several groups can help you to settle in, build a social network and get involved with life at the ICR.
PostDoc Association
Our Postdoc Association (PDA) brings together postdocs across the ICR for professional and social events, which include away days and conferences. It provides a community for postdocs to feel connected and supported.
Join our networks
From our LGBT+ Network and our forum on race and ethnicity to sports clubs and seminars, you’ll have the chance to connect with like-minded researchers and build your network.
Our active Postdoc and Alumni LinkedIn group is also a great way to connect with others and get answers to common questions – from what it’s like to rent in London to how to set up a UK bank account.
Former ICR postdocs are also welcome to subscribe to Network, our alumni e-newsletter, so they can continue to feel part of our community even after moving on in their careers.
There are lots of reasons why early career researchers come to do a postdoc at the ICR. We spoke to some of our past and present postdocs to find out why they chose the ICR.
Employee stories
Vacancies at the ICR
Trial Statistician / Senior Trial Statistician
The Clinical Trials and Statistics Unit at The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR-CTSU) is recruiting to its statistical team. We want to hear from you if you: • Like the challenge of analysing clinical trial datasets and want to become part of a statistical team that is dedicated to translating cutting-edge science into quality clinical trials that can transform cancer care • Want variety in your work and opportunities to apply and broaden your statistical knowledge across a number of therapeutic areas in oncology • Like to work as part of a multi-disciplinary research team with like-minded statisticians, clinical investigators, translational analysts, bioinformaticians, and trial managers. Applications are now open for a Trial Statistician/Senior Trial Statistician position to join our team of over 20 Statisticians. This post offers an excellent opportunity for an enthusiastic and well-motivated Statistician to work in a dynamic and supportive academic environment at one of the leading UK cancer trials units. Key Requirements The successful applicant will have a post-graduate qualification in statistics or an allied field (or a first degree in statistics along with practical experience in medical statistics). Additionally, they should demonstrate a solid understanding of clinical trials and experience in applying statistical methods to real-world data. Effective oral and written communication skills and enthusiasm for collaborating with researchers from different 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 work as part of a multi-disciplinary team on the statistical development, oversight and analysis of a number of clinical trials within ICR-CTSU’s portfolio and the ICR/Royal Marsden Drug Development Unit’s early phase trials portfolio as well as on associated trials methodology research and translational biomarker research studies. 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 the probation period/key training and if the role allows. Flexible working options may be considered. For informal discussion about the Trial Statistician/Senior Trial Statistician post, please contact Lucy Kilburn (Principal Statistician), email: [email protected] For general queries about the recruitment process, please contact ICR-CTSU, email: [email protected].
Business Manager & Executive Assistant
About the Role We are seeking a Business Manager & Executive Assistant to join the Division of Radiotherapy & Imaging, on a fixed-term position. The successful candidate will provide highly efficient, proactive and comprehensive executive assistant and management support to aid the Head of Division in achieving their strategic and business objectives, working efficiently and effectively to enhance and support the overall Division. Key responsibilities include: Diary & Correspondence Management Servicing Meetings Travel Arrangements Operational Management Financial Management People Management Communication & Stakeholder Management About You We are looking for a highly organised, proactive and detail-oriented team player who will be able to make an immediate impact. Key skills and experience include: Excellent organisational, time-management and problem-solving skills Strong verbal and written communication skills Proactive with the ability to prioritise multiple tasks Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work collaboratively Experience of working under pressure with strict deadlines What We Offer A supportive and collaborative working environment Opportunities for professional development and career progression Competitive salary and pension Department/Directorate Information The Division of Radiotherapy & Imaging includes the prestigious Cancer Research UK Cancer Imaging Centre, and overlaps with the Joint Department of Physics, which spans The Institute of Cancer Research, London, and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust. 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 Joanna Panayiotou via email on [email protected].
Higher Scientific Officer
Under the guidance of Dr Thomas Lund, we are seeking to recruit a Higher Scientific Officer to contribute to support with laboratory management and provide oversight of operations of the IPU labs, including Leica Bond 3 Automated Slide Stainers, Akoya PhenoImager HT (previously known as the Vectra Polaris) and Ventana Discovery Ultra. The role offers the opportunity to work within a multidisciplinary group, including clinical, scientific, and computational staff whose combined remit is to offer advanced pathology solutions to clinical research. This is an exciting opening in a recently established group at the forefront of clinical and academic research located in the world-renown ICR & RMH. The successful candidate will play a key role in the establishment and maintenance of SOPs, whenever necessary, coordination of provision of reagents, quality control and quality assurance of scientific data from all projects. In addition, the HSO is expected to support all aspects of histopathology related to a range of research projects in our established, advanced translational research laboratory in the field of complex (IHC/RNA-ISH/mIF) tissue hybridisation technologies. The post holder will work alongside a team of Biomedical Scientists, three Research Scientists/HSOs and a Senior Scientific Officer (SSO). The right candidate is expected to perform a variety of tasks that may include but are not restricted to: a) Staining of pathology slides using manual and automated methodology; b) Scanning of pathology slides stained using a variety of methods; c) Maintaining a high level of QA/QC of image quality About you The successful candidate must have: PhD in Biological Sciences, Cancer Biology, Molecular Biology, Molecular Pathology, or a similar discipline Up-to-date knowledge of the current literature in cancer immunology, cancer therapies and the tumour microenvironment would be desirable Good laboratory skills, with experience in working in a collaborative environment Experience in tissue handling and processing, histological techniques, IHC, mIF, ISH, microscopy and digital image capturing Experience of using and maintaining SOPs based on these techniques Experience with training other members of staff Hands-on experience with using the Leica Bond 3 and/or the Akoya PhenoImager HT would be desirable Department/Directorate Information Team: Integrated Pathology Unit Directorate: Cancer Biology https://www.icr.ac.uk/research-and-discoveries/royal-marsden-centres/joint-integrated-pathology-unit https://www.cancerbrc.org/integrated-pathology-unit 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 Marta Vergnano or Dr Thomas Lund via email on [email protected] or [email protected].
Senior Trial Manager
Summary of Role We would like to appoint a Senior Trial Manager to be responsible for: • Day to day management of the trial(s) through set-up, recruitment and reporting; • Liaising with stakeholders and participating centres to promote the trial(s) and ensure successful recruitment and delivery; • Co-ordination of data management and biological sample collection activities. The post offers an excellent opportunity for an enthusiastic and well-motivated individual with clinical trial management experience to work in a dynamic and supportive academic environment in a dedicated cancer clinical trials unit. The successful applicant will be responsible for the central coordination of multicentre cancer trials. Key Requirements Applicants should hold a first degree or equivalent level qualification in biological science, social science or other relevant subject (including nursing and health care disciplines) or equivalent, relevant work experience and have a good understanding of the principles of GCP, data protection and research governance. Experience in clinical trial management is essential. We encourage all applicants to access the job pack attached for more detailed information regarding this role. Department/Directorate Information The Institute of Cancer Research is looking for a Senior Trial Manager to join the Cancer Research UK Clinical Trials & Statistics Unit (ICR-CTSU) at its 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. Informal enquiries can be made by emailing [email protected].