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

Research Group Leader, ICR Clinical Trials and Statistics Unit (ICR-CTSU)

  • Sutton
  • Clinical Trials and Statistics Unit
  • £66,092 - £86,908
  • Permanent

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])

Senior Digital Marketing Manager

  • Chelsea
  • Development and Communications Directorate
  • Fixed term

We are looking for an experienced and strategic Senior Digital Marketing Manager to lead, as maternity cover, digital marketing activity across the directorate and help drive fundraising growth, brand awareness and supporter engagement. You will shape and deliver our digital marketing strategy, using insight, creativity and analytical rigour to ensure our website, donation platform, email marketing and digital campaigns support the ICR’s fundraising and brand objectives effectively. This is a key leadership role that manages two Digital Marketing Officers and oversees relationships with our external media agency. You will combine deep digital marketing expertise with excellent project management and a passion for impactful storytelling. Key Responsibilities Lead and deliver an annual programme of digital marketing and online supporter engagement to grow income and brand awareness. Act as the digital marketing expert for all fundraising teams, analysing data and proactively sharing insight. Manage paid media campaigns, email programmes, stewardship journeys and digital content planning. Agree and achieve KPIs for audience engagement, online giving and lead generation. Shape supporter journeys to maximise engagement, recruitment and fundraising participation. Manage the relationship with our digital media agency, from planning to evaluation. Optimise the ‘Support Us’ section of the website, leading SEO and AEO activity. Oversee and optimise our donation platform (goDonate), including testing and analytics. Manage a digital marketing budget of more than £300K. Provide digital marketing expertise across the ICR, including email and content support. Ensure strong brand consistency across all digital marketing and fundraising touchpoints. About You You will bring: Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, with experience using SEO, Google Ads, Google Analytics and evaluation tools. Expertise across the full digital marketing mix. Excellent leadership skills, including line management. Ability to build strong relationships internally and externally. Understanding of digital tech including HTML basics, tracking pixels and marketing tags. Excellent written communication and strong design sense. Highly organised, with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously. Genuine enthusiasm for the ICR’s mission. Proven track record managing digital campaigns from conception to delivery. Experience managing agencies. Experience using data and insight to optimise campaigns and maximise income. Experience in content generation, website management, paid media and social platforms. Experience with online giving platforms. What We Offer A supportive and collaborative working environment. Opportunities for professional development and career progression. Competitive salary and pension About the Development and Communications directorate The Development and Communications directorate tells the ICR’s story and focuses on income generation. The ICR is world-renowned for its outstanding cancer research – and it deserves communication to match. We believe that communicating effectively about the ICR's work can help us build on our successes – attracting donors and supporters, the best staff and students, commercial partners and collaborators. 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 Talent Team on [email protected]

Higher Scientific Officer

  • Sutton
  • Cancer Therapeutics
  • Permanent

Under the guidance of Alexis De Haven Brandon, we are seeking to recruit a Higher Scientific Officer. We seek an experienced and dedicated in vivo scientist. The central aim of this position is to undertake in vivo technical work, playing a key role in supporting a variety of in vivo experiments and laboratory approaches. You will be a highly skilled in vivo scientist with sound knowledge and experience in in vivo approaches in a research setting. You will possess a Home Office Personal Licence. Your responsibilities will include planning and performing animal procedures, maintaining detailed records, and performing some routine laboratory tasks. This position offers an excellent opportunity for a highly skilled in vivo scientist with a passion for in vivo science, and animal welfare. There will occasionally be the need for out of hours work to ensure Home Office compliance, and the needs of the projects are met. The successful candidate will be a motivated individual with a strong background in in vivo techniques. We highly value diversity and encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply. About you The successful candidate must have: Personal Home Office Licence PIL A,B,C BSc in life sciences or equivalent Proven experience in a technical in vivo research setting - to include techniques such as dosing, surgical and sampling Ability to plan and execute complex in vivo studies, to the highest ethical standards Ability to work independently and collaboratively Department/Directorate Information The In Vivo Pharmacology team (IVP) provides in vivo support for all projects within the Centre for Cancer Drug Discovery (CCDD). The team carries out critical proof-of principle intervention studies and provides the essential pharmacological assays required to guide target validation in addition to the optimisation and selection of new drug candidates. Importantly, these experiments include the demonstration of drug effects in vivo, biomarker discovery and therapy studies, all of which underpin the drug discovery programs across the portfolio. The IVP works across a wide range of tumour models, including human tumour xenografts models (both cell line- and patient-derived xenografts), genetically engineered mouse models, organoid-based models and preclinical metastatic models. The team has specialised skills to develop and implement novel models, and supporting the design and implementation of studies, whilst complying with increasingly complex Home Office regulations. 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 Alexis De Haven Brandon: [email protected].

Scientific Officer - in vivo Biology

  • Sutton
  • Cancer Therapeutics
  • Permanent

About the role Under the guidance of Alexis De Haven Brandon, We seek a dedicated early career in vivo scientist. The central aim of this position is to assist in the undertaking of in vivo technical work, playing a key role in supporting a variety of in vivo experiments and laboratory approaches. You will be an in vivo scientist with a basic knowledge and experience of in vivo techniques. Your responsibilities will include monitoring animal welfare, carrying out animal procedures, maintaining detailed records. This position offers an excellent opportunity for an early career in vivo scientist with a passion for in vivo science, and animal welfare. We offer full training to gain a home office PIL, for more technical procedures to the right candidate. There will occasionally be the need for out of hours work to ensure Home office compliance, and the needs of the projects are met. The successful candidate will be a motivated individual with a strong background in animal welfare and husbandry in a research setting. We highly value diversity and encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply. About you The successful candidate must have: Broad-based knowledge of animal welfare within a research setting At least a year in an in vivo research setting with rodents. Proven experience in husbandry, welfare monitoring and animal handling. Ability to work both independently and as part of a team. BSc in life sciences/or related degree High degree of integrity and understanding of the need for confidentiality surrounding drug discovery programmes. Willingness to occasionally work out of hours. About our team Under UK law, animals can only be used for research if there is no appropriate alternative. All our research proposals are thoroughly assessed before approval to ensure that there is no alternative to the use of animals, and that the studies will provide valuable information that will ultimately help cancer patients. The ICR is strongly committed to the highest standards of animal welfare in all research studies, and has led the development of best practice in this area. We also support the principles of the 3Rs – replacement, refinement and reduction of use of animals for research – and are working to develop alternative experimental techniques. The In Vivo Pharmacology team provides in vivo support for all projects within the Centre for Cancer Drug Discovery. The team carries out critical proof-of-principle intervention studies and provides the essential pharmacological assays required to guide target validation in addition to the optimisation and selection of new drug candidates. Importantly, these experiments include the demonstration of drug effects in vivo, biomarker discovery and therapy studies all of which underpin the drug discovery programs across the portfolio. The team works across a wide range of tumour models, including human tumour xenografts models (both cell line- and patient-derived xenografts), genetically engineered mouse models and organoid based models. The team is also highly experienced in preclinical metastatic models. The team has specialised skills to develop and implement novel models, and supporting the design and implementation of studies, all whilst complying with increasingly complex Home Office regulations. 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 are consistently in the top performing universities in the league table of university research quality complied from Research Excellence Framework (REF 2014 &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. 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 [email protected]