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
Principal Statistician
Job Details The Cancer Research UK funded Clinical Trials and Statistics Unit at The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR-CTSU) seek an experienced and highly motivated Principal Statistician to join their team of over 20 statisticians. We want to hear from you if you: Enjoy the challenge of researching, developing and implementing efficient trial methodology, and designing efficient clinical trials that will 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. Are looking to develop your career within 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 medical statistician interested in researching new statistical methods and applying their statistical knowledge to the design and analysis of patient-centred clinical trials. They 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 and early phase adaptive trials are 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 cancer clinical trials and an expanding number of phase I 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 the ICR-CTSU’s Early Phase and Adaptive Trials portfolio in collaboration with external organisations and the ICR/Royal Marsden Drug Development Unit. In your supporting statement please summarise how your research/managerial experience fits with the role. 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 only if the role allows. Flexible working options may be considered. For informal discussion about the role, please contact Professor Christina Yap, email: [email protected] For general queries about the recruitment process, please contact ICR-CTSU, email: [email protected].
Statistical Assistant – Industry Placement
Summary of Role ICR’s Cancer Research UK Clinical Trials & Statistics Unit (ICR-CTSU) is offering a placement year training opportunity at its Sutton site in Surrey for an enthusiastic, adaptable, and quick learning individual, currently undertaking an undergraduate degree in mathematics, statistics or a related field with a strong statistical component. This an exciting opportunity for students interested in a career within clinical trials to receive training within a clinical research setting. The successful applicant will work directly with the ICR-CTSU Statisticians, Trial & Data managers and Trial administrators to support the delivery of a diverse portfolio of phase II/III clinical trials, with a special emphasis in breast, urological and head and neck cancer treatments. You will receive full training in Good Clinical Practice and experience of working in accordance with UK clinical trials legislation. This will put you ahead of the competition when you graduate if you apply for a role in clinical trials either in academic research or in industry. You should be an undergraduate student (in mathematics, statistics or a related field with a strong statistical component) in your second year of study seeking a placement year opportunity in clinical trials. This post will be office based. When applying please provide a supporting statement; together with your CV and the names and addresses of two referees. Key Requirements The successful candidate must be studying for an undergraduate degree in mathematics, statistics or a related field with a strong statistical component. You should have a high level of computer literacy, a proven ability to use MS office packages and work accurately with attention to detail as well as good written and oral communication skills. You should have the ability to adhere to written procedures, work to agreed deadlines and work as part of a team. An interest in cancer research and medical statistics, and the ability to work with confidential information is also essential. Previous experience of the use of statistical programming languages would be an advantage but is not essential. For full details of the requirements see the job description. Department/Directorate Information For information regarding the ICR-CTSU Team go to: https://www.icr.ac.uk/our-research/centres-and-collaborations/centres-at-the-icr/clinical-trials-and-statistics-unit 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 us via email at: [email protected]
Postdoctoral Training Fellow - Biochemistry and Cell Biology of Wnt - β-catenin signalling
Under the guidance of Professor Sebastian Guettler, we are seeking to recruit a Postdoctoral Training Fellow to to investigate the molecular mechanisms of Wnt/β-catenin signalling, using a combination of mammalian genetics, cell biology, proteomics and biochemistry. The successful candidate will apply mammalian genetics (CRISPR), cellular biochemistry, proteomics and light microscopy (including live-cell imaging) to investigate the mechanisms of Wnt/β-catenin signalling in normal physiology and cancer. The particular focus of the project will be on studying the molecular mechanisms underlying the activities and regulation of the β-catenin destruction complex and its dysregulation in APC-mutant cancers, particularly colorectal cancer. The position will offer a stimulating balance of independence and collaboration. The candidate will join a multidisciplinary, collaborative and international team with a core expertise in biochemistry, structural biology (electron microscopy, X-ray crystallography), biophysics and genetics, and established collaborations in chemistry and proteomics. About you The successful candidate must have a PhD in a biological science or any other area relevant to the proposed research, and experience in contemporary molecular biology, mammalian genetics, cell biology and biochemistry. 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 Work in the Structural Biology of Cell Signalling Team, led by Professor Sebastian Guettler, in the ICR Divisions of Structural Biology and Cell and Molecular Biology, centres on the molecular mechanisms of Wnt/β-catenin signalling and telomere maintenance, both of which play key roles in stem cells and a wide range of cancers. A long-standing interest of the team is to understand how ADP-ribosylation, a complex and extremely versatile post-translational modification, controls both these systems, and how the ADP-ribosyltransferase tankyrase is regulated. 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 Sebastian Guettler via e-mail on [email protected].
Contracts Associate
About the Role As a Contracts Associate, you will be required to provide a professional and efficient contracts review, negotiation, and advice service to the ICR to enable a range of research and commercial activities The ICR has recently implemented a new contracts lifecycle management system. This is an exciting opportunity to work in a modern way with contracts; significantly reducing administrative workload and intelligently automating routine tasks. Key Requirements Candidates must be educated to degree level or equivalent and have an understanding and knowledge of research contractual issues. They must have experience of working in a contracts team in a higher education or research organisation setting, with well-developed analytic and problem-solving skills. Candidates must have the ability to interpret contract terms, manage workloads and prioritise tasks effectively. Excellent communication and influencing skills and good interpersonal skills will also be required. What We Offer A supportive and collaborative working environment. Opportunities for professional development and career progression. Competitive salary and pension Department/Directorate Information The Institute of Cancer Research is one of the world’s most influential cancer research organisations. Our mission is to make the discoveries that will defeat cancer. We’re looking for a proactive and enthusiastic team member who understands the particular needs and landscape of an academic research institution. As a member of the Business and Innovation Office, you will provide a professional and efficient contracts service to academics, clinicians, and professional services colleagues across the whole of ICR, negotiating and concluding a range of simple and intermediate research agreements. We encourage all applicants to access the job pack attached for more detailed information regarding this role.