Research Technical Professionals and Scientific Support
At The Institute of Cancer Research, Research Technical Professionals (RTPs) and Scientific Support staff play a vital role in enabling world-class cancer research. They bring the specialist technical, scientific, analytical and operational expertise needed to drive high quality research every single day.
Although their functions span a wide range of roles, they share a common purpose: to apply expert technical skills that contribute to the delivery, quality and continuity of our research.
What types of roles are included?
Collectively, these professionals form the vital technical infrastructure that allows our research to progress safely, efficiently, and to the highest standards. Key roles include:
- Scientific Officers: Driving laboratory-based research
- Research Management & Operations: Managing research spaces and keeping our laboratories and facilities running smoothly
- Data & Computational Specialists: Statisticians, informaticians, and analytical specialists
- Biological Services Technicians: Supporting in vivo research
As a testament to our commitment to Research Technical Professionals, we have been awarded a £1M Wellcome Institutional Funding for Research Culture (IFRC) to strengthen technical career pathways.
What we offer
The Technician Commitment
We are deeply committed to the professional growth and career progression of our technical staff. Reflecting this, the ICR is proud to be a founding signatory of the Technician Commitment (2017), a national initiative championing technical professionals.
Through this programme, we actively support our Research Technical Professionals and Scientific Support staff across four key pillars: Visibility, Recognition, Career Development and Sustainability.
Further details, including our action plans and submissions, can be found on our Responsibilities page.
The Scientific Officers Association (SOA)
Established in 2010, SOA is our dedicated professional community dedicated for staff in Scientific Officer grades. Working together with our Learning and Organisational Development team, the SOA champions RTPs career progression, skills growth and professional development – directly advancing our goals under the Technician Commitment.
Key areas of SOA activity include:
- Career development & Training programmes: Tailored development activities delivered in collaboration with Learning & Development
- Mentoring: Dedicated support for Scientific Officers applying for promotion
- Travel & Training Bursaries: Financial support to attend external cources, conferences and technical workshops
- Annual ICR Technical Conference: A flagship event organised by SOA members to provide training, networking, and a platform to share technical expertise
- Professional Registration: Funding to cover first year of membership to a professional body, plus professional registration fees
- Social Events: Crafting groups, coffee mornings and joint events with the PostDoc and Student committees to build a strong community
Together, these initiatives build the skills, confidence and career readiness of our Scientific Officers – driving the technical excellence that underpins all ICR research.
Research Institutes Technician Group (RITG)
The ICR is a founding member of the RITG, a collaborative network of 11 UK research institutes. This group is unique: bringing together research‑intensive institutes where technical roles are primarily embedded in research, rather than teaching.
Through regular monthly meetings and cross-institutional collaboration, the RITG delivers impactful initiatives that connect technical professionals across the sector. An example includes the Tech Insights webinar series, which provides a platform for RTPs to share career journeys, exchange ideas, and build valuable networks.
Our RITG Partners: Alongside the ICR, the network includes the Babraham Institute, Earlham Institute, John Innes Centre, MRC Laboratory of Medical Sciences, MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, MRC Mary Lyon Centre, The Francis Crick Institute, The Sainsbury Laboratory, Science and Technology Facilities Council UKRI, and the Wellcome Sanger Institute.
Techs Today
Techs Today is an in‑person event series connecting technical professionals across leading London Institutes: the ICR, University College London, The Francis Crick Institute, Imperial College London and King’s College London. Hosted on rotation across these partner sites, each event combines short, engaging talks with dedicated face-to-face networking.
It is a valuable local opportunity to:
- Expand Your Network: Connect with peers and build cross-institutional collaborations
- Share Expertise: Exchange ideas and learn from a diverse range of technical specialists
- Raise Your Visibility: Strengthen your professional profile within the wider technical community
Professional Registration Support
The ICR offers practical support for staff working towards Professional Registration.
Our support includes:
- Financial Backing: The SOA will fully fund your first year of membership to a professional body, as well as your professional registration fees
- Application Guidance: Our Learning & Organisational Development (L+OD) team offers dedicated support to help you refine and strengthen your application
- On-Demand Resource Bank: Access recordings and slides from our Unlocking Professional Registration series. Featuring expert guidance from the Royal Society of Chemistry, these materials are available anytime to help you confidently evidence key competencies and interpret professional standards
Employee stories
Dr Giulio Caravagna
Dr Federico Tidu
Dr Fatemeh Ahmadi Moughari
Vacancies at the ICR
Higher Scientific Officer - Cell-based Pharmacology
Join the ICR Centre for Protein Degradation and help shape the future of cancer treatment. We’re looking for a driven and talented drug discovery scientist to develop and run cell-based screening assays for discovery and pharmacological characterisation of molecular glue degraders and PROTACs. What you’ll do Design and execute advanced cell-based drug screening assays Generate high-quality pharmacological data to guide drug discovery Manage molecular glue compound libraries Collaborate across biology, medicinal chemistry, and oncology teams What we’re looking for Strong experience in high throughput cell-based assays and pharmacological compound profiling A proactive, collaborative mindset Passion for translational cancer research Why join us? Work with expert scientists in a collaborative drug discovery team, helping to develop innovative medicines with real potential to improve patients’ lives. Be part of the science that makes a difference. Apply now. Department/Directorate Information Click on the links to learn more about the team - Induced Proximity Therapeutics Group & Centre for Protein Degradation. We encourage all applicants to access the attached job pack for more detailed information regarding this role. For an informal discussion regarding the role, please contact Dr Agnieszka Konopacka [email protected]