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
Research Group Leader, ICR Clinical Trials and Statistics Unit (ICR-CTSU)
Department/Directorate Information: Division of Clinical Studies - Clinical Trials and Statistics Unit (ICR-CTSU) The ICR-CTSU is a Cancer Research UK-funded, internationally recognised methodologist led clinical trials unit, providing cancer-focused clinical trial research expertise. We lead pioneering, efficient, high-quality, and impactful trials across the phases. Our expertise ranges from experimental medicine early phase studies exploring biological efficacy to trials which may deliver widespread change to routine practice, underpinned by applied methodology to drive forward clinical trial innovation. See our clinical trials Role Summary The Group Leader will lead a component of ICR-CTSU’s portfolio of clinical trials research. The post holder will join an existing faculty and seek to further develop and grow the portfolio in line with ICR-CTSU’s overall strategy; taking responsibility for a number of ongoing trials as well as the development of new trials. There will be the opportunity to develop and grow a team including the potential for a Postdoctoral Training Fellow and/ or a Trial Manager. We seek an experienced statistician / biostatistician with a strong research interest in clinical trials methodology and a passion for direct involvement in the oversight and leadership of academic clinical trials. The successful candidate will work closely with the Director of ICR-CTSU to further enhance the Unit’s internationally recognised strength in clinical trial design, conduct and analysis. The post holder will be expected to make a substantial independent intellectual contribution to clinical trials projects and be proactive in leading and contributing to broad initiatives that enhance the overall effectiveness of ICR-CTSU. The appointee will contribute to the overall scientific life of the ICR including the newly established ICR/Royal Marsden Hospital’s Centre for Trials and Population Data Science, by providing mentorship to more junior colleagues and acting as an academic leader. We seek an individual who will work closely and collaboratively with other faculty/Group Leaders at the ICR and with international/national key opinion leaders to extend the breadth and depth of ICR-CTSU’s biologically rich clinical trials portfolio. In partnership with clinical opinion leaders, this individual will generate research funds to conduct and deliver clinical trials research at the international forefront. Presentation at national and international conferences, production of top-quality research outputs and substantial professional contribution to wider clinical trial network bodies are expected. Enthusiasm for team-based science in a collaborative interdisciplinary environment is essential. The appointment will be based on track record and the ability and willingness to engage in team science. The successful appointee will have access to ICR’s successful PhD training programme and core facilities. Key Requirements Higher degree (MSc or PhD) in medical statistics/biostatistics or an allied field (e.g. public health, epidemiology, data science) with relevant work experience Significant experience as a clinical trials, medical statistician or bio-statistician within the academic or commercial sector; a blend of both would be highly desirable A desire to apply existing and novel statistical methods to the requirements of a diverse range of statistical problems A broad understanding of cancer research Ability to lead a Clinical Trials Unit based research group As part of your online application, you will be required to upload your full CV which will pre-populate your application form, you will also be asked to attach the following documents and failure to do so will mean your application cannot be considered on this occasion: Lists of major publications, achievements, research grants and distinctions. A PDF of a maximum of five key publications, or other research outputs (e.g. patents) that best demonstrate previous productivity or a single document giving hyperlinks to these outputs. You must also complete the personal statement section of the application form in the format of a cover letter including the names and contact details of three academic referees Joining as a Group Leader, you will be given outstanding support to help you to continue to develop in your career. Along with a start-up package of funding, you will also have access to resources to establish your group, including support for recruiting key group members, such as PhD students and postdoctoral researchers. 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 Professor Emma Hall ([email protected])
Postdoctoral Training Fellow - Functional Proteomics
Under the guidance of Professor Jyoti Choudhary, we are seeking to appoint a motivated Postdoctoral Training Fellow to develop innovative quantitative proteomics workflows for the characterization of protein degradation and functions. The successful candidate will play a key role in developing or optimising new proteomics methods and undertaking end-to-end analysis of a variety of samples. About you The successful candidate must have: PhD in biochemistry or chemistry with sound knowledge of biological mass spectrometry Expertise in biochemical and protein purification techniques Expertise in computational analysis of omic data-ability to perform statistics, data integration and bioinformatics 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. Functional Proteomics Group The Functional Proteomics Group led by Professor Jyoti Choudhary explores the molecular phenotype of cancer studying protein-protein interactions, signalling, post-translational modifications and protein expression. 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 Jyoti Choudhary for further information by emailing [email protected].
Scientific Officer in Epidemiology
Under the guidance of Professor Montserrat Garcia-Closas, Group Leader Integrative Cancer Epidemiology, Division of Genetics & Epidemiology, we are seeking to recruit a motivated and organised Scientific Officer to support a range of molecular epidemiology activities within the Generations Study and related projects. This post offers an excellent opportunity, ideally for a recent graduate, however this is not essential. This role offers a great first step into postgraduate study or a career in epidemiology, or population health, to gain broad, hands-on experience in epidemiological research within a multidisciplinary environment. The successful candidate will gain experience across multiple components including laboratory-based activities (e.g. coordination of biobanking and pathology collections), data-driven research and contributions to scientific communications. About you The successful candidate will work closely with epidemiologists and laboratory teams, contributing to high-impact research on cancer risk and prevention and must have: Undergraduate degree in biomedical or biological sciences, population sciences, or a related field General computer literacy (e.g. Word, Excel, databases) Interest in cancer epidemiology or population health research Some experience working with research or health-related data and familiarity with statistical or programming tools (e.g. R, Python) is also desirable. Department/Directorate Information The Integrative Epidemiology Team at The Institute of Cancer Research led by Professor Garcia-Closas is located at the ICR Sutton Campus. The team forms part of the Cancer Epidemiology and Prevention Research Unit (CEPRU), a joint initiative between the ICR and Imperial College London focused on advancing cancer epidemiology through interdisciplinary research and training. The team uses large-scale population data to investigate the causes of cancer, understand carcinogenic processes, and improve risk prediction for precision prevention. A central resource for the team is the Breast Cancer Now Generations Study, a national cohort of over 110,000 women in the UK followed since 2004. Research in the team combines epidemiology and biostatistics with emerging approaches in data science, including analyses of mammography and pathology images and integration of multi-modal data. 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 Professor Montserrat Garcia-Closas via [email protected]
Postdoctoral Training Fellow - Biology (Cancer Therapeutics)
We have an opportunity for a talented and motivated Postdoctoral Training Fellow to join the Division of Cancer Therapeutics. The team has a role to accelerate the translation of ICR research into drug discovery programmes. The team delivers bespoke, hypothesis-driven data packages to support decision-making for launch of drug discovery projects. The teams dedicated resources, including biology, functional genomics, assay sciences, chemistry, and bioinformatics teams, will support joint project teams that combine the deep biological and therapeutic knowledge of ICR investigators with the validation and technical expertise of drug discovery scientists. Scientists in the team work closely with the Centre for Target Validation to validate and streamline robust, targets into drug discovery programmes in the ICR’s Centre for Cancer Drug Discovery or into collaborative programmes with external commercial therapy discovery partners. Also, working with the Centre for Protein Degradation Scientists exploit emerging technology and protein degradation tools for robust target validation experiments. The successful candidate will contribute to the development of new drug targets by expanding our understanding of target biology and drug discovery. Working in close collaboration with other groups within the ICR, the candidate will develop our understanding of the therapeutic relevance of specific targets using genetic and pharmacologic approaches. The successful candidate will be a part of a highly collaborative team that is embedded in the Centre for Cancer Drug Discovery. They will have the opportunity to direct their own research towards target identification, validation and drug discovery. About you Applicants must have a PhD in cell biology, cancer biology, genetics, or similar. Experience in drug discovery and modern cell and molecular biology techniques is essential. Experience with -omics level profiling and handling of large datasets is desired. Excellent organisational and communication skills are also required. 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 About our organisation We are one of the world’s most influential cancer research institutes with an outstanding record of achievement dating back more than 100 years. We are world leaders in identifying cancer genes, discovering cancer drugs and developing precision radiotherapy. Together with our hospital partner The Royal Marsden, we are rated in the top four centres for cancer research and treatment worldwide. As well as being a world-class institute, we are a college of the University of London. We came top in the league table of university research quality compiled from the Research Excellence Framework in 2014 and second in 2021. We have charitable status and rely on support from partner organisations, charities, donors and the general public. We have more than 1000 staff and postgraduate students across three sites – in Chelsea and Sutton. About our Centre The Centre for Cancer Drug Discovery (CCDD), within the Division of Cancer Therapeutics, is a multidisciplinary 'bench to bedside' centre, comprising around 160 staff dedicated to the discovery and development of novel therapeutics for the treatment of cancer. The CCDD’s exciting goal is to discover high quality drug candidates for validated biological targets and to progress these candidates to clinical trial. All the scientific disciplines are in place to make this possible. Our world-class biologists, chemists and drug metabolism specialists work together focusing on new molecular targets emerging from human genome and ground-breaking cell biology research. This is an exciting and fast-moving area of cancer research and offers the opportunity to work within a multi-disciplinary environment using state-of-the-art techniques and equipment. Group information Our group focus is to build robust target validation data packages against potential cancer targets identified by the ICR's researchers across Divisions. This is to increase confidence in the launch of drug discovery projects against those targets. Our scientists collaborate with ICR researchers to expand on the target biology validation and build a strong therapeutic hypothesis for a target. Tractability of targets is assessed and the most appropriate therapeutic mode of action for a target will be defined. Research at the Centre for Target Validation is focused on applying best practice in target validation and implementing innovative technology to robustly validate targets for drug discovery. Scientists in the CTV will form collaborations with ICR researchers who have identified potential therapeutic targets to: Provide access to resources and core facilities to answer hypothesis-testing questions Generate the key decision-making data required for target to enter drug discovery The Centre for Target Validation therefore links the Centre for Cancer Drug Discovery within the Division of Cancer Therapeutics with partner Divisions that identify potential drug targets. The Centre is also in collaboration with the Division of Breast Cancer Research to validate targets relevant in breast cancer in the context of the Breast Cancer Now (BCN) Toby Robins Research Centre. The CTV is supported and funded by the ICR as part of the ICR research strategy: Defeating Cancer to transform the lives of cancer patients. Group Leader: Joanna Loizou 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 Joanna Loizou via [email protected].