Scientist mixing solutions in lab

Study and Careers

As the UK’s leading academic research centre, The Institute of Cancer Research offers a fantastic work and study environment, great opportunities for development and the chance to make a real difference for cancer patients. We aim to train, recruit and develop the best – with positions for outstanding scientists and clinicians, and the most talented professional or administrative staff.

Studying at the ICR

Our competitive programmes and specialised courses are designed for the next generation of cancer researchers and clinicians.

Scientists in lab - Four scientists working in a lab

PhD projects and opportunities

We offer 20 fully funded PhD studentships each year. Our main round opens in October, but we also advertise projects throughout the year. 

 

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Opportunities for clinicians

At The Institute of Cancer Research, London, we offer clinicians a variety of opportunities – from a taught master's course in Oncology, to fellowships providing protected time for research, and higher research degrees.

MSc in Oncology

The Taught Course in Oncology is a day-release modular programme designed for medically qualified candidates who intend to pursue a professional career in some aspect of clinical or medical oncology, either as a clinical academic or a clinician.

Why study with us?

By providing world-class expertise and support to students at The Institute of Cancer Research, we hope to advance cancer research and clinical practice not only within our organisation, but throughout the field.

Varun Ramaswamy is a third-year PhD student at the ICR. He is working on a collaborative project between the Division of Cancer Therapeutics and the Division of Structural Biology that aims to solve the 3D structure of a protein called HSET using cryo-electron microscopy and complementary biophysical techniques.

What is your educational/work background?

I did my undergraduate degree in Genetic Engineering at SRM University, India. In 2016, I moved to London to do an MRes in Molecular Biophysics at King’s College London.

Why did you want to study at the ICR?

During my master’s degree, I had the opportunity to work with researchers at the ICR and collect some electron microscopy data. I was really fascinated by the technique and the facility at the ICR and kept in touch with the team about any future research opportunities.

Talk us through your typical day

You can find me running around between the Structural Biology laboratories on the fifth floor where I perform biophysical experiments and the Electron Microscopy suite in the basement. I also spend time in the office processing my images to create a 3D molecular structure of my protein of interest.

What big projects are you working on?

HSET is known to help cancer cells evade death. But this protein is completely redundant in healthy cells, making it an important anti-cancer drug target. What’s even more exciting is this protein can literally “hop” within the cell! As a structural biologist, I find that really intriguing to explore.

What’s the best thing about working at the ICR?

A healthy, supportive and professional working environment that allows me to perceive the impact of my research in the big picture of an anti-cancer drug discovery pipeline.

How do you take part in life at the ICR outside your studies?

I am lucky to be working across both the Sutton and the Chelsea sites, so I always have people to hang out with during lunch or after work in a park/pub. Also, the student committee comes up with great ideas for socials to ensure we stay in touch with each other.

What opportunities has studying at the ICR given you?

ICR has given me several opportunities to communicate my science in different ways- to scientific and non-scientific audiences, internal and external talks, oral presentations or written chats.  These challenging experiences have allowed me to grow as a scientific communicator and build a network with professionals in the UK.

What’s your favourite part of life at the ICR?

Meeting and working with people who are as passionate and excited about discussing science as I am.

What do you do to unwind?

I mostly just make music or read comic books. There are some days where I do nothing except browsing through YouTube videos. Before lockdown, I used to play squash in the Sutton site and I hope to do so again soon.

Varun Ramaswamy is a third-year PhD student at the ICR. He is working on a collaborative project between the Division of Cancer Therapeutics and the Division of Structural Biology that aims to solve the 3D structure of a protein called HSET using cryo-electron microscopy and complementary biophysical techniques.

What is your educational/work background?

I did my undergraduate degree in Genetic Engineering at SRM University, India. In 2016, I moved to London to do an MRes in Molecular Biophysics at King’s College London.

Why did you want to study at the ICR?

During my master’s degree, I had the opportunity to work with researchers at the ICR and collect some electron microscopy data. I was really fascinated by the technique and the facility at the ICR and kept in touch with the team about any future research opportunities.

Talk us through your typical day

You can find me running around between the Structural Biology laboratories on the fifth floor where I perform biophysical experiments and the Electron Microscopy suite in the basement. I also spend time in the office processing my images to create a 3D molecular structure of my protein of interest.

What big projects are you working on?

HSET is known to help cancer cells evade death. But this protein is completely redundant in healthy cells, making it an important anti-cancer drug target. What’s even more exciting is this protein can literally “hop” within the cell! As a structural biologist, I find that really intriguing to explore.

What’s the best thing about working at the ICR?

A healthy, supportive and professional working environment that allows me to perceive the impact of my research in the big picture of an anti-cancer drug discovery pipeline.

How do you take part in life at the ICR outside your studies?

I am lucky to be working across both the Sutton and the Chelsea sites, so I always have people to hang out with during lunch or after work in a park/pub. Also, the student committee comes up with great ideas for socials to ensure we stay in touch with each other.

What opportunities has studying at the ICR given you?

ICR has given me several opportunities to communicate my science in different ways- to scientific and non-scientific audiences, internal and external talks, oral presentations or written chats.  These challenging experiences have allowed me to grow as a scientific communicator and build a network with professionals in the UK.

What’s your favourite part of life at the ICR?

Meeting and working with people who are as passionate and excited about discussing science as I am.

What do you do to unwind?

I mostly just make music or read comic books. There are some days where I do nothing except browsing through YouTube videos. Before lockdown, I used to play squash in the Sutton site and I hope to do so again soon.

Lab - View of a lab with scientists working

Support moving to the UK

Whether you're a student or a full time employee, you'll get a variety of social, welfare and accommodation benefits and advice, to help your move to the UK.
Three people sitting at a table in an office, engaged in discussion and collaboration.

Working life and benefits

As a world-leading cancer research organisation, we are a dynamic and exciting place to work - with various benefits and support if you’re moving to the UK.

More about roles at the ICR

Our discoveries are made possible by a mix of scientists at different levels, as well as the leadership and corporate roles that keep us running day to day.

Current openings 

We offer a fantastic working environment, great opportunities for career development and the chance to make a real difference for cancer patients. We aim to recruit and develop the best – with positions for postdocs, scientists and clinicians, and professional or administrative staff - see the latest below:

Prospect Research Manager

  • Chelsea
  • Development and Communications Directorate
  • £41,600 - £43,000
  • Permanent

About the Role Our Prospect Research team plays a central role in unlocking new funding opportunities across the ICR's philanthropic income streams. It is responsible for delivering high quality, insightful prospect briefings and fundraising intelligence, which supports the ICR's fundraisers in their efforts to build meaningful relationships with philanthropic high net-worth individuals, trusts, foundations and corporates who have the interest and capacity to support the ICR's vital research. The post holder will play a key role in supporting the Development & Communications directorate to source, assess and validate new funding opportunities, maximise income secured across our philanthropic income streams and fundraising campaign, and grow our incredible donor community. The successful candidate will have experience of devising and successfully implementing targeted prospecting strategies. You will play a lead role in identifying philanthropic HNWIs and corporates with the capacity and inclination to support our work. The post holder will also be responsible for carrying out due diligence research and alerting fundraisers to reputational risks identified in support of the ICR's gift acceptance policy. You will work closely with the Head of Prospect Development to support fundraisers in maximising the success of our senior volunteer network through network mapping and expanding its ranks. In addition, the post holder will manage the Prospect Research Executive, providing development and mentoring support. What We Offer A supportive and collaborative working environment. Opportunities for professional development and career progression. 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 Caroline Porter via telephone on 020 7153 5486 or email at [email protected].

Principal Statistician

  • Sutton
  • Clinical Trials and Statistics Unit
  • £49,970 - £63,120 per annum
  • Fixed term

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 designing efficient clinical trials and analysing complex datasets to answer clinical questions 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 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. 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 work as part of a multi-disciplinary team on the statistical design and development of new trials. You will conduct and oversee analysis of a number of clinical trials and/ or associated imaging or translational biomarker research studies across our portfolio. 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. For an informal discussion about the role please contact Nuria Porta, email [email protected] 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. Informal enquiries may be made by emailing [email protected]

GCP Officer (Lab) - Maternity Cover

  • Sutton
  • Adult Drug Development Unit
  • £31,445- £36,410 per annum
  • Fixed term

Department/Directorate Information The Institute of Cancer Research, London, is one of the world’s most influential cancer research institutes, with an outstanding record of achievement dating back more than 100 years. We provided the first convincing evidence that DNA damage is the basic cause of cancer, laying the foundation for the now universally accepted idea that cancer is a genetic disease. Today, The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) leads the world at isolating cancer-related genes and discovering new targeted drugs for personalised cancer treatment. The ICR is committed to attracting, developing and retaining the best minds in the world to join us in our mission – to make the discoveries that defeat cancer. The Drug Development Unit, within the ICR and Royal Marsden, is a dedicated Clinical Trials Unit, with bespoke facilities to conduct early phase clinical trials. The Unit, led by Professor Johann de Bono, comprises of clinicians, scientists, data and study management staff, and focuses on providing a seamless conduit between pre-clinical drug discovery, proof of principle Phase-1 clinical trials and tumour specific evaluation of novel agents. The Unit undertakes both industry-sponsored and investigator-initiated trials of new anti-cancer drugs. The Unit is rapidly expanding and provides an excellent opportunity for the post holder to develop a variety of skillsets. Summary of Role We are looking for an enthusiastic and committed GCP Officer to work within the Drug Development Unit which undertakes early phase clinical trials of new anticancer drugs. We are a world class clinical trials unit based on a dedicated ward within the Royal Marsden Hospital, for the development of novel cancer therapeutics which we believe will improve the care of cancer patients. The post holder will play a major role in maintaining GCP compliance within the DDU. Key Requirements The post holder will hold a university degree in a scientific discipline or similar qualification. Be knowledgeable in ICH-GCP regulatory standards for the conduct of clinical trials and have experience of monitoring and pharmacovigilance of Phase I oncology clinical trials. The post holder will provide full support to maintain GCP compliance within the ICR laboratories (Cancer Biomarker Team, PK/PD Laboratories and DMPK labs), supporting Clinical trials run by the DDU and/or other Units where applicable. The post holder must be organised and able to plan work around a busy clinical unit. They should have excellent communication skills and interpersonal skills, in order to interact effectively with unit staff. Appointments will be up to one-year maternity cover. This post also benefits from generous annual leave entitlement and a pension. 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 of applications. Therefore, we advise that you to submit your application, as early as possible to avoid disappointment.

Health Economist

  • Chelsea
  • Convergence Science Centre Scientific
  • £50,825 - £61,525 per annum
  • Fixed term

Under the guidance of Cancer Technology Catalyst team lead Dr Patrick Kierkegaard, we are seeking to recruit a Health Economist to pioneer evaluations at the CRUK Convergence Science Centre. Based in South Kensington, London, with travel to partner sites (The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, ICR Sutton, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust). The successful candidate will lead early-stage health economic modelling and health technology assessment (HTA) for cutting-edge oncology innovations, including precision drugs, diagnostics, treatments, clinical guidelines, and digital health technologies (DHTs). Department/Directorate Information The Cancer Research UK Convergence Science Centre (CSC) is a partnership between Imperial College London and The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) with funding from Cancer Research UK. Convergence research is driven by a societal need and utilises a deep integration across disciplines. Professor Axel Behrens is the Scientific Director of the CRUK Convergence Science Centre. This position of Health Economist is integrated within our Cancer Technology Catalyst team (CTC). The CTC is an initiative designed to expedite the journey of promising cancer technologies from concept to clinical impact. Led by a diverse team of experts, the CTC is committed to unlocking the full potential of innovative solutions and addressing the challenges inherent in bringing them to patients. By harnessing a collaborative Team Science approach, the CTC works closely with Principal Investigators and their teams to develop comprehensive evidence packages that not only inform robust value propositions for cancer technologies, but also strategically position them for successful clinical integration. About you Please see the attached job description for essential skills and qualifications for this role, and further information. 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 Patrick Kierkegaard via [email protected].