Apprenticeships at ICR
At The Institute of Cancer Research, we currently have apprenticeship programmes in both our research teams as alternative entry routes into technical talent pipeline and within our professional services team such as Digital Services and Finance.
Our Laboratory Technician Apprenticeship Programme
Our Laboratory Technician apprenticeship scheme is part of a national initiative to strengthen and promote career development for scientific research technicians – made possible by a £1m grant from Wellcome that was awarded to The Institute of Cancer Research in September 2023. The programme aims to address challenges in recruitment, development, and retention of technicians, increase diversity by promoting apprenticeships to underrepresented groups, and improve the recognition of the technician career path in academia. This programme, delivered in partnership with Tiro, has been recognized with the Education and Training Award at the UK Pharma Industry Awards.
Professor Kristian Helin, Chief Executive of The Institute of Cancer Research, London, said:
“We’re honoured our new apprenticeship programme, working with Tiro, has been given this award. Technicians make a significant and highly valued contribution to the ICR’s world-leading research to defeat cancer. We are fully committed to ensuring that their work is recognised, and that technicians are supported to achieve their full potential.
“This success has been made possible by the major grant from Wellcome that we secured last year – we were delighted to receive it so we could build a national initiative around technician development. The grant is already helping us to recruit and nurture brilliant people from diverse backgrounds and share what we learn with other research institutes and higher education institutions, so we can continue to build a positive research culture and benefit technicians at the ICR and beyond.”
Dr Aline Tabib-Salazar, Technician Career Pathways Programme Manager at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, said:
“We’re proud of what we’ve achieved in the first year of funding and it’s extremely encouraging that the apprenticeship programme we’ve developed with Tiro has been recognised with this prestigious award. But there’s much more to do – it will be a busy year as we look to build on the success we’ve had so far and crucially, help grow the programme into an established national initiative.”
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Scientific Apprenticeship Conference - Building a Sustainable Technical Pipeline: Apprenticeships in Research
Dissemination of learnings and sharing resources with the sector was a key point in our Wellcome award. To achieve this, we are hosting a scientific apprenticeship conference at Wellcome Collection, London on 15th May 2025.
Scientific Apprenticeship Conference Report
On 15 May, the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) hosted a sector-wide conference as part of its £1 million Wellcome Research Culture Award, bringing together 60 delegates from 34 organisations across academia, industry, and policy to explore the transformative role of scientific apprenticeships. The event highlighted how apprenticeships can address technical skill shortages, diversify the research workforce, enhance institutional reputation, and promote social mobility by creating opportunities for underrepresented groups. To build on this momentum, participants emphasised the need for clear post-apprenticeship pathways, standardised job roles, skills-focused recruitment, strong mentoring networks, and cross-sector collaboration to drive meaningful policy reform and embed apprenticeships into the fabric of research culture. To find out more, please see our full report.
Professional Services Apprenticeships
We also offer apprenticeships in our professional services teams, tailored to meet the needs of a research organisation. These roles provide valuable experience and training in various areas:
- Digital Services (IT): Our Digital Services Directorate ensures that everyone at ICR has access to the technology they need. Apprenticeships in this team involve working on the IT Helpdesk, dealing with a wide range of customer requests while studying for a Level 3 Information communications technician qualification. They provide comprehensive support, including hands-on technical training and personal development. Apprentices gain exposure to various aspects of digital services, enhancing their understanding of how different functions interconnect. They also receive guidance on problem-solving and career clarity through diverse team rotations. This broad experience helps them build a professional network and develop adaptability in the evolving digital industry. These roles are based in our Helpdesk teams at London Chelsea and Sutton.
- Finance: Our Finance Team, primarily based at Chelsea, employs apprentices in entry-level roles, supporting them to study for apprenticeship qualifications while working. This team is experienced in dealing with research grants and provides essential support to our research community.
Join Us
Details of current apprenticeship vacancies in these and other research-supporting roles are advertised on our website. We are committed to nurturing talent and providing opportunities for professional growth within our organization.
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].