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
Research Group Leader, ICR Clinical Trials and Statistics Unit (ICR-CTSU)
Department/Directorate Information: Division of Clinical Studies - Clinical Trials and Statistics Unit (ICR-CTSU) The ICR-CTSU is a Cancer Research UK-funded, internationally recognised methodologist led clinical trials unit, providing cancer-focused clinical trial research expertise. We lead pioneering, efficient, high-quality, and impactful trials across the phases. Our expertise ranges from experimental medicine early phase studies exploring biological efficacy to trials which may deliver widespread change to routine practice, underpinned by applied methodology to drive forward clinical trial innovation. See our clinical trials Role Summary The Group Leader will lead a component of ICR-CTSU’s portfolio of clinical trials research. The post holder will join an existing faculty and seek to further develop and grow the portfolio in line with ICR-CTSU’s overall strategy; taking responsibility for a number of ongoing trials as well as the development of new trials. There will be the opportunity to develop and grow a team including the potential for a Postdoctoral Training Fellow and/ or a Trial Manager. We seek an experienced statistician / biostatistician with a strong research interest in clinical trials methodology and a passion for direct involvement in the oversight and leadership of academic clinical trials. The successful candidate will work closely with the Director of ICR-CTSU to further enhance the Unit’s internationally recognised strength in clinical trial design, conduct and analysis. The post holder will be expected to make a substantial independent intellectual contribution to clinical trials projects and be proactive in leading and contributing to broad initiatives that enhance the overall effectiveness of ICR-CTSU. The appointee will contribute to the overall scientific life of the ICR including the newly established ICR/Royal Marsden Hospital’s Centre for Trials and Population Data Science, by providing mentorship to more junior colleagues and acting as an academic leader. We seek an individual who will work closely and collaboratively with other faculty/Group Leaders at the ICR and with international/national key opinion leaders to extend the breadth and depth of ICR-CTSU’s biologically rich clinical trials portfolio. In partnership with clinical opinion leaders, this individual will generate research funds to conduct and deliver clinical trials research at the international forefront. Presentation at national and international conferences, production of top-quality research outputs and substantial professional contribution to wider clinical trial network bodies are expected. Enthusiasm for team-based science in a collaborative interdisciplinary environment is essential. The appointment will be based on track record and the ability and willingness to engage in team science. The successful appointee will have access to ICR’s successful PhD training programme and core facilities. Key Requirements Higher degree (MSc or PhD) in medical statistics/biostatistics or an allied field (e.g. public health, epidemiology, data science) with relevant work experience Significant experience as a clinical trials, medical statistician or bio-statistician within the academic or commercial sector; a blend of both would be highly desirable A desire to apply existing and novel statistical methods to the requirements of a diverse range of statistical problems A broad understanding of cancer research Ability to lead a Clinical Trials Unit based research group 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 and distinctions. A PDF of a maximum of five key publications, or other research outputs (e.g. patents) that best demonstrate previous productivity or a single document giving hyperlinks to these outputs. You must also complete the personal statement section of the application form in the format of a cover letter including the names and contact details of three academic referees Joining as a Group Leader, you will be given outstanding support to help you to continue to develop in your career. Along with a start-up package of funding, you will also have access to resources to establish your group, including support for recruiting key group members, such as PhD students and postdoctoral researchers. 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 Emma Hall ([email protected])
Senior Trusts Fundraising Manager
About the Role We are seeking a Senior Trusts Fundraising Manager to join our Trusts & Corporate Team and contribute to our income generation plans. The successful candidate will play a key role in maximising income from Trusts and Foundations to support our mission: to make the discoveries that defeat cancer. Key Responsibilities To maximise income from Trusts and Foundations by further developing the ICR’s relationships with existing medium and large Trust donors and by personally securing the support of new ones. You will be required to focus on raising grants broadly in the range of £10k to £500k To develop a donor pipeline aligned with Trusts and Foundations that have a strong synergy with the ICR’s mission and research priorities. The postholder will help shape engagement strategies and secure multi‑year partnerships that deepen the ICR’s institutional relationships About You We are looking for a candidate able to demonstrate a substantial track record of securing support from Trusts and Foundations (including six-figure+ sums) and sustaining a portfolio of partner/donor relationships in the not-for-profit environment. An individual who can develop relationships with individuals at the highest level, both externally and internally, and including with scientists, senior volunteers and trustees. And you must be able to write well, putting together compelling proposals with detailed plans and budgets. What We Offer A supportive and collaborative working environment. Opportunities for professional development and career progression. Competitive salary and pension Department/Directorate Information The Development and Communications directorate tells the ICR’s story and focuses on income generation. The ICR is world-renowned for its outstanding cancer research – and it deserves communication to match. We believe that communicating effectively about the ICR's work can help us build on our successes – attracting donors and supporters, the best staff and students, commercial partners and collaborators. Within the Development and Comms directorate, the Trusts & Corporate team is responsible for all philanthropic organisational relationships for the ICR. 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 Talent team via Email on [email protected]
Postdoctoral Training Fellow - Functional Proteomics
Under the guidance of Professor Jyoti Choudhary, we are seeking to appoint a motivated Postdoctoral Training Fellow to develop innovative quantitative proteomics workflows for the characterization of protein degradation and functions. The successful candidate will play a key role in developing or optimising new proteomics methods and undertaking end-to-end analysis of a variety of samples. About you The successful candidate must have: PhD in biochemistry or chemistry with sound knowledge of biological mass spectrometry Expertise in biochemical and protein purification techniques Expertise in computational analysis of omic data-ability to perform statistics, data integration and bioinformatics 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. Functional Proteomics Group The Functional Proteomics Group led by Professor Jyoti Choudhary explores the molecular phenotype of cancer studying protein-protein interactions, signalling, post-translational modifications and protein expression. 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 Jyoti Choudhary for further information by emailing [email protected].
Business Development Intern
About the Role We are seeking a Business Development Intern to join our Business and Innovation Office and contribute to gain experience of working in a technology transfer and knowledge exchange office. The successful candidate will gain knowledge of drafting and negotiation of contracts, knowledge of Intellectual Property protection and exploitation, the ability to distil key scientific concepts and communicate these ideas to others, knowledge of key industry areas, ability to analyse market potential and interpersonal skills Key Responsibilities You will gain; a knowledge of drafting and negotiation of contracts, knowledge of Intellectual Property protection and exploitation, the ability to distil key scientific concepts and communicate these ideas to others, knowledge of key industry areas, ability to analyse market potential and interpersonal skills We will provide formal training including the chance to attend Knowledge Exchange UK or UCL training. There will be the opportunity to shadow BIO managers on more complex projects. About You We are looking for a proactive, detail-oriented, organised, fast learner, team player individual with excellent IT skills and organisation skills. A degree in a subject relevant to the ICR or BIO is required High levels of literacy and numeracy Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal What We Offer A supportive and collaborative working environment. Opportunities for professional development and career progression. Competitive salary and pension Department/Directorate Information Business and Innovation Office The Business and Innovation Office acts as the technology and knowledge transfer hub for The Institute of Cancer Research, providing the experience and expertise to put in place a wide range of agreements between our scientists and industry. You will be joining one of the most successful teams of its type in the UK. We are a busy team working on a wide variety of projects with many different academic and commercial partners. 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 Yvette Newbatt via email [email protected]