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
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.