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].
Administrative Assistant
About the Role We are seeking an Administrative Assistant to join the Translational Genetics Team and contribute to administrative and operational activities supporting the delivery of two genetic testing programmes. The successful candidate will play a key role in supporting the management of finance and procurement expenses, arranging room and team meeting bookings, managing team trackers, and supporting research administrators with various administrative activities that includes data entry and managing filing systems and records. What We Offer A supportive and collaborative working environment. Opportunities for professional development and career progression. Competitive salary and pension
Digital Content Writer
Summary of Role We are looking to appoint an enthusiastic Digital Content Writer to work within the Drug Development Unit at the ICR. This is an exciting opportunity to help shape and showcase the Unit’s profile across digital platforms by creating engaging, impactful, and accessible content. The post holder will work closely with senior management, researchers, and wider teams to develop contents that highlight our research, achievements, and commitment to patients. The post holder will play key role in ensuring that all online and offline content is aligned, consistent, and designed to connect with diverse audiences. This role is ideal for a creative communicator who is passionate about science, innovation, and making a positive difference through digital media. Key Requirements Applicants should have digital media expertise, excellent writing and editing skills, and have an ability to write engaging content for different audiences on various digital platforms. They should be familiar with software and digital tools used for content creation. The post holder will need to be highly organised with their work and be able to work in a flexible manner. This exciting position has arisen within the Drug Development Unit, as we are a rapidly expanding, world class Phase 1 clinical trials unit and we need showcase our Unit’s work to our stakeholders. To apply for this post, please submit an online application including a supporting statement, detailing reasons why you are applying for the post and include your CV. We encourage all applicants to access the job pack attached for more detailed information regarding this role. Due to the high volumes of applications that we receive, we reserve the right to close the advert before the published closing date, once we have received a sufficient number applications. Therefore, we advise that you to submit your application, as early as possible to avoid disappointment. Department Information: The Drug Development Unit, (DDU) at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, is a world-leading centre for early-phase oncology trials, translating cutting-edge science into first-in-human clinical trials. Through close integration of laboratory and clinical expertise, the Unit supports the functions of sponsoring early phase trials through Investigator Initiated Trials Team, as well as delivers academic and industry sponsored trials. Our mission is to fast-track the development of anti-cancer drugs, designed and synthesised at The ICR, or developed by CRUK scientists, or developed by industry collaborators, in order to rapidly impact the care of cancer patients. The DDU has been involved in the development of many hundreds of novel agents including several practice-changing cancer drugs. The DDU is one of the Experimental Cancer Medicine Centres in the UK, part of the CRUK Convergence Science Centre and the Early Phase Drug Development Theme within the ICR-RM NIHR Biomedical Research Centre (BRC). The DDU has multiple academic and industry collaborations both nationally and internationally, to optimally serve our patients. The Unit is led by Professor Johann de Bono and Professor Udai Banerji.
Pensions Manager
About the Role We are seeking a Pensions Manager to join our Human Resources Directorate, where you will deliver a high-quality, professional and customer-focused pensions service across the employee lifecycle. This role has a significant impact on the organisation by ensuring the effective administration and governance of all pension schemes, supporting our staff and Trustees, and enabling the ICR to recruit, retain and develop exceptional people. You will be responsible for ensuring that pension contributions and data are processed accurately, that scheme rules and deadlines are met, and that colleagues receive clear and timely guidance on a wide range of pension matters. Key Responsibilities Oversee the administration of all ICR pension schemes, ensuring accurate and timely contributions, reporting and financial records, while working closely with payroll and internal teams to maintain correct system configuration and resolve issues. Provide expert guidance on complex pension matters, including retirement, redundancy, ill-health and death-in-service, and prepare complex calculations, manage sensitive casework and deliver training on scheme changes and legislation. Act as Scheme Secretary for the closed ICR Pension Scheme, supporting Trustees, managing governance processes, coordinating meetings, maintaining scheme documentation and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. Lead and support the Pensions Officer and Pensions Contribution Officer through effective line management, promoting high performance, service improvement and professional development. About You We are seeking a proactive, detail-focused pensions professional with strong communication and stakeholder-management skills. You will have solid knowledge of pension law, experience with USS and/or NHS Pension Schemes, and a background working with both defined benefit and defined contribution arrangements. You will be confident managing complex pension cases, interpreting legislation and working effectively with scheme providers and advisers. You should be comfortable handling large data sets, using HR/Payroll systems and meeting tight deadlines, while building credibility through clear, authoritative guidance to staff, managers and Trustees. Strong interpersonal skills, accuracy, conflict-resolution ability and experience supervising others are essential. Professional qualifications such as PMI or CIPD membership, or a relevant degree, would be beneficial. What We Offer A supportive and collaborative working environment. Opportunities for professional development and career progression. Competitive salary and pension Department/Directorate Information The Human Resources Directorate provides the policies, systems and infrastructure that support the ICR’s talented and diverse workforce. The directorate is made up of HR Operations, Learning and Organisational Development, Pensions, and Reward, Information and Systems. Together, these teams ensure the organisation has the workforce capacity and capability to achieve its mission: to make the discoveries that defeat cancer. 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 Mohammad Rehmman via email on [email protected]