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.
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.
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.
Student Profile
Varun Ramaswamy is a third-year PhD student at the ICR. He is working on a collaborative project between the Division of Cancer Therapeutics and the Division of Structural Biology that aims to solve the 3D structure of a protein called HSET using cryo-electron microscopy and complementary biophysical techniques.
Employee Story
Head of Research Support (corporate role) Dr Becky Cook Dr Becky Cook is Head of Research Support at The Institute of Cancer Research. She oversees our large strategic grant applications and is supporting the ICR's next submission to the Research Excellence Framework (REF), which is the definitive government evaluation of the quality and impact of research at UK universities.
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.
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.
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:
HR Business Partner
Summary of Role We currently have an exciting opportunity for a self-motivated and experienced HR Business Partner to join our HR Operations team. You will build strong partnerships with client departments, acting as a strategic advisor to align HR initiatives with broader business goals. In addition to leading on strategic HR matters, you will manage an HR Adviser and administrative support to ensure the delivery of a high-quality, consistent HR service across both the Professional Services and Scientific Research Divisions. Your role will involve working closely with operational teams across the ICR to provide a proactive, professional, and customer-focused generalist HR service throughout the employee lifecycle, in accordance with HR policies, procedures, and agreed service standards. Key requirements: Fully qualified Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), ideally at Chartered Member (MCIPD) level Demonstrated experience in handling a wide range of employee relations issues, including disciplinary and grievance procedures, absence and performance management, TUPE, redundancy, and redeployment Proficiency in using the Agresso Integrated HR/Payroll system, with the flexibility to adapt to Oracle as part of upcoming system changes (desirable) Comprehensive and current understanding of UK employment legislation and HR best practice Department/Directorate Information We know that talented, brilliant, passionate people lie at the heart of the ICR. The Human Resources Directorate provides both strategic and operational advice and support across the ICR to attract and acquire, develop, retain and empower our people to achieve their full potential. This is an exciting and transformative time for the HR Directorate as we begin to implement a new People Strategy and an ERP system to better support the ICR in achieving its mission of making the discoveries that defeat cancer.
Cloud & Infrastructure Manager
The Digital Services Directorate ensures that ICR staff have the necessary technology and specialist IT support, particularly for research. The Cloud & Infrastructure Manager will oversee the cloud and on-premises infrastructure, ensuring high availability, scalability, and security for applications and data. Implement a cloud and infrastructure strategy aligned with business goals. Manage hybrid cloud environments (combining on-premises infrastructure with cloud services). Manage and optimise cloud resources for cost and performance Manage IT infrastructure (servers, storage, networking). Manage relationships with cloud vendors and service providers. Lead and mentor a team of infrastructure engineers. Develop and implement processes for infrastructure management. Communicate effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders. Budget management for cloud and infrastructure services Capacity planning and forecasting future needs. Automation of infrastructure tasks
Health Economist
Under the guidance of Cancer Technology Catalyst team lead Dr Patrick Kierkegaard, we are seeking to recruit a Health Economist to pioneer evaluations at the CRUK Convergence Science Centre. Based in South Kensington, London, with travel to partner sites (The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, ICR Sutton, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust). The successful candidate will lead early-stage health economic modelling and health technology assessment (HTA) for cutting-edge oncology innovations, including precision drugs, diagnostics, treatments, clinical guidelines, and digital health technologies (DHTs). Department/Directorate Information The Cancer Research UK Convergence Science Centre (CSC) is a partnership between Imperial College London and The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) with funding from Cancer Research UK. Convergence research is driven by a societal need and utilises a deep integration across disciplines. Professor Axel Behrens is the Scientific Director of the CRUK Convergence Science Centre. This position of Health Economist is integrated within our Cancer Technology Catalyst team (CTC). The CTC is an initiative designed to expedite the journey of promising cancer technologies from concept to clinical impact. Led by a diverse team of experts, the CTC is committed to unlocking the full potential of innovative solutions and addressing the challenges inherent in bringing them to patients. By harnessing a collaborative Team Science approach, the CTC works closely with Principal Investigators and their teams to develop comprehensive evidence packages that not only inform robust value propositions for cancer technologies, but also strategically position them for successful clinical integration. About you Please see the attached job description for essential skills and qualifications for this role, and further information. 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 Patrick Kierkegaard via [email protected].
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].