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:

Postdoctoral Training Fellow

  • Chelsea
  • Structural Biology
  • Salary Range: £45,600 - £55,000 per annum
  • Fixed term

Under the leadership of Claudio Alfieri, we are seeking to appoint a Postdoctoral Training Fellow to join the Molecular Mechanisms of Cell Cycle Regulation Group at the Chester Beatty Laboratories, Fulham Road in London. This project aims to investigate the molecular mechanisms of cell cycle regulation by macromolecular complexes involved in cell proliferation decisions, by combining genome engineering, proteomics and in situ structural biology. For general information on Post Doc's at The ICR can be found here. Key Requirements The successful candidate must have a PhD in cellular biochemistry and experience in Cryo-EM and CLEM is desirable. 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 Department/Directorate Information: The candidate will work in the Molecular Mechanisms of Cell Cycle Regulation Group within the ICR Division of Structural Biology headed by Prof. Laurence Pearl and Prof. Sebastian Guettler. The division has state-of-the-art facilities for protein expression and biophysics/x-ray crystallography, in particular the Electron Microscopy Facility is equipped with a Glacios 200kV with Falcon 4i detector with Selectris energy filter and the ICR has access to Krios microscopes via eBIC and the LonCEM consortium. 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 Claudio Alfieri via Email on [email protected]

Head of Biology, Cancer Drug Discovery (Group Leader)

  • Sutton
  • Cancer Therapeutics
  • Competitive
  • Permanent

The ICR is seeking an established research leader in cancer drug discovery biology with a track record in discovering innovative drugs to be the Head of Biology in the Centre for Cancer Drug Discovery (CCDD). The appointee will provide scientific leadership for the CCDD biology discipline, champion scientific excellence and work closely with senior team leaders in the CCDD to provide a strategic vision for the research and drug discovery portfolio. Key Requirements The role requires excellence in cancer biology, coupled with significant experience across the target identification to candidate selection stages of drug discovery. We envisage that applicants will have either significant commercial experience of successful drug discovery or have a strong academic track record in cancer biology and small molecule drug discovery; or will have a combination of both backgrounds. As part of your online application you will be required to upload your full CV which will pre-populate your application form. Department/Directorate Information: 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 Abby Cook via Email on [email protected]

Director of Centre for Target Validation (CTV) (Group Leader)

  • Sutton
  • Cancer Therapeutics
  • Competitive
  • Permanent

The ICR is seeking an established research leader in cancer biology with a track record in target validation for drug discovery to be the Director of the Centre for Target Validation (CTV). The appointee will provide scientific and strategic leadership of the CTV, ensuring a pipeline of robust, clinically relevant targets for drug discovery programmes within the ICR’s Centre for Cancer Drug Discovery (CCDD). They will collaborate with scientists across the ICR to identify target validation projects with therapeutic potential that are suitable to benefit from the Centre’s dedicated resource and scientific expertise. They will lead, direct, and participate in multidisciplinary projects to define/refine therapeutic hypotheses, examine mechanisms of target modulation, and explore biomarkers and patient selection criteria. Working with the CTV Deputy Director, they will ensure that ICR expertise in drug target identification is effectively translated to drug discovery programmes at ICR and with external partners. Key Requirements The appointee will lead an independent research group contributing to the discovery of novel targets and/or innovative small molecule anticancer therapies, aligned with the strategy and goals of the CTV / CCDD. The role requires expertise in cancer biology and substantial experience in target identification & validation; experience of later drug discovery stages is valued. We envisage that applicants will have either significant commercial experience or have a strong academic track record in cancer biology for target validation; or will have a combination of both backgrounds. As part of your online application you will be required to upload your full CV which will pre-populate your application form. Department/Directorate Information: 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 Abby Cook Email on [email protected]

Group Leader - Biology

  • Sutton
  • Cancer Therapeutics
  • Competitive
  • Permanent

The ICR is seeking a cancer biology research leader to join us in our mission to discovery novel small molecule therapeutics for the treatment of cancer. The appointee will lead an independent cancer biology research group that contributes to the overall strategy and goals of the Centre for Cancer Drug Discovery (CCDD); in particular, progression of innovative small molecule anticancer compounds to proof-of-concept clinical trials. Commitment to translational and drug discovery research is fundamental to this position. The appointee will lead and participate in multidisciplinary drug discovery projects to discover small molecule clinical candidates. Key Requirements The role requires application of molecular pharmacology and cancer biology approaches to 1) support hypothesis-driven target identification and validation; 2) design and implement functional and mechanistic assays to support discovery and progression of small molecule therapeutics; and 3) develop and test hypotheses regarding patient selection strategies and biomarkers. Enthusiasm for working in a collaborative interdisciplinary environment is essential. We envisage that applicants will have either commercial experience of successful drug discovery or have a strong academic track record in cancer drug discovery; or will have a combination of both backgrounds. As part of your online application you will be required to upload your full CV which will pre-populate your application form. Department/Directorate Information: 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 Abby Cook via Email on [email protected]