Working life and benefits

As a world-leading cancer research organisation, The Institute of Cancer Research is a dynamic and exciting place to work. We provide exceptional opportunities for the best scientists, clinicians, and professional and administrative staff, as well as excellent academic and recreational facilities at our two London sites, in Chelsea and Sutton.

World-leading research institute

The ICR is the leading academic research centre in the UK. Effective industry collaboration and innovation in new medicines and technologies are at the heart of our approach to drive benefits for patients.

The ICR is ranked:

  • second for research quality, impact and environment*
  • first for biological sciences*
  • third for research impact*
  • first worldwide for the number of our publications cited in patents**
  • fourth worldwide for the citation rate of scientific research published across all fields**
  • fourth worldwide for top-cited research publications**
  • in the top five higher education institutions worldwide for academic influence and commercial impact** 

The majority of our employees work in research, but there are also important roles in scientific facilities, academic services, IT, fundraising, communication, human resources, and within our business and innovation office, which negotiates between ICR scientists and industry.

See more about working with us

We aim to make the discoveries that defeat cancer by attracting, retaining and developing the best minds with excellent benefits and working environments.

Just some of our current vacancies

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]

Postdoctoral Training Fellow - Computational Single Cell Biology (Dr Stephen-John Sammut)

  • Chelsea
  • Cancer Dynamics
  • Salary Range: £45,600 - £51,450 per annum
  • Fixed term

Under the leadership of Dr Stephen-John Sammut, we are seeking a highly motivated and ambitious postdoctoral researcher to apply existing and develop cutting-edge single-cell computational methods for modelling breast tumour evolution during chemotherapy and immunotherapy. Your work will contribute to the development of predictive frameworks that can be deployed in breast clinical trials to guide treatment decisions. This role offers an outstanding opportunity to drive innovation at the interface of computational biology and clinical research, shaping the future of precision oncology. For general information on Post Doc's at The ICR can be found here. The ICR has a workforce agreement stating that there is a maximum duration of employment of 7 years including pre-ICR PDTF experience. Key Requirements The successful candidate must have a PhD in a computational biology or other numerical subject, have extensive programming experience, and possess a basic knowledge of cancer biology. A background in the analysis and interpretation of molecular data is essential. If available, please include a link to your online, publicly-available source code repository in your application. Department/Directorate Information: The Cancer Dynamics Laboratory headed by Dr Stephen John Sammut, focuses on developing computational and experimental frameworks that model changes in breast cancer biology during treatment to develop personalised precision cancer therapies. The Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre at the ICR is the first centre in the UK entirely devoted to breast cancer research. Our goal is to advance research into the causes, diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. It is located in state-of-the-art laboratory space, with excellent core facilities and is funded through a long term renewable programme grant from Breast Cancer Now. The Centre is directed by Clinician Scientist Professor Andrew Tutt. We encourage all applicants to access the job pack attached for more detailed information regarding this role. 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.

Scientific Officer: Radiotherapy Physics Modelling

  • Sutton
  • Radiotherapy Physics Modelling
  • Salary Range: £33,100 - £36,410 per annum
  • Fixed term

Under the guidance of Professor Uwe Oelfke, we are seeking to recruit a Scientific Officer to provide skilled laboratory assistance in pre-clinical projects in radiobiological and immunological research. The successful candidate will provide first line user training and support for our three x-ray radiation devices including performing the monthly quality assurance. They will also be expected to contribute to the design and delivery of on-going research projects. About you The successful candidate must have: A BSc. in Physics or Biomedical Sciences (or equivalent) MSc. in Physics and Engineering or Biomedical Sciences (desirable) A basic knowledge of Matlab, Python or C/C++ The ability to understand and discuss scientific projects Experience of working under pressure and adhering to established deadlines The ability to work independently whilst still being a good team player Excellent organisation skills with attention to detail Department/Directorate Information The Radiotherapy Physics Modelling Team, lead by Professor Uwe Oelfke, sits within the Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging. We are applying cutting edge Radiotherapy techniques in a multi-disciplinary setting to investigate the application of radiation in an in-vitro and in-vivo setting. The postholder will be based within the Centre for Cancer Imaging which houses 130 imaging researchers from a range of disciplines. 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. To arrange an informal discussion regarding the role, please email [email protected]

Data Scientist

  • Sutton
  • Cancer Biology
  • Salary Range: £39,805 to £49,023 per annum
  • Fixed term

Under the guidance of Professor Trevor Graham, we are seeking to recruit a Data Scientist to support Data Science research across the ICR. The successful candidate will particularly work on the analysis of spatial data including multiplex immunohistochemistry, H&Es and spatial transcriptomics. About you The successful candidate must have: A PhD in quantitative subject, or likely to be awarded PhD in the near future. Research experience equivalent to PhD level will be considered. Undergraduate degree, or Masters or equivalent in a quantitative subject. Skills in bioinformatics computing coding, in languages including R, Python and other scripting languages as is appropriate. Experience of using high performance computing (HPC) systems for scientific computing. Experience of computational biology research methodologies pertinent to the role. Department/Directorate Information The Data Science Committee is chaired by Professor Trevor Graham, providing academic leadership of data science at the ICR to maximise the impact of our cancer research, by applying innovative data science and computation tools (in addition to our traditional areas of strength) to tackle the important cancer questions and ensuring infrastructure is considered to enable this. 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 Prof Trevor Graham [email protected].