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.
Just some of our current vacancies
Postdoctoral Training Fellow
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 10 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]
Higher Scientific Officer - Protein production, purification and assay specialist
A Higher Scientific Officer (HSO) position is available in Dr Rob van Montfort’s Hit Discovery and Structural Design (HDSD) team within the CCDD, to support a collaboration with the ICR’s Centre for Protein Degradation (CPD) and University College London (UCL) aimed at developing novel small molecule-controlled molecular switches to modulate CAR-T cell activity based on induced protein degradation technology. We are seeking a highly motivated scientist with expertise in DNA construct design, cloning and mutagenesis, protein expression and purification, and with experience in biochemical and biophysical assays. The successful candidate will be responsible for the site-directed generation of multiple mutant variants of a protein of interest, followed by protein expression in E. coli and purification. Subsequently, the postholder will be responsible for the characterisation of the generated protein variants using biochemical and biophysical assays. The postholder will be an integral member of the HDSD team within the CCDD at the Sutton campus of the ICR, interacting closely with other protein production specialists, assay scientists and structural biologists. They will also be interacting closely with biologists specialised in CAR-T cells technology at UCL. About you The successful candidate must have at least a BSc in a biochemistry or related biological subject, and ideally an MSc or PhD. Experience and demonstrable skills in molecular biology, protein expression in E. coli and protein purification, as well as biochemical assays are essential. Demonstrable practical experience of biophysical techniques such as SPR and/or TSA would also be an advantage. Department/Directorate Information The Centre for Cancer Drug Discovery (CCDD), within the Division of Cancer Therapeutics, is a multidisciplinary 'bench to bedside' centre, comprising around 160 staff dedicated to the discovery and development of novel therapeutics for the treatment of cancer. The CCDD’s exciting goal is to discover high quality small molecule drug candidates and to progress these to clinical trial. All the scientific disciplines are in place to make this possible, including medicinal chemistry, biology, structural biology, assay scientists, drug metabolism and clinical specialists. This is an exciting and fast-moving research setup and offers the opportunity to work within a multi-disciplinary environment using state-of-the-art techniques and equipment. 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] or [email protected]
Postdoctoral Training Fellow
Under the guidance of Prof. Simon Robinson, we are seeking to recruit a Postdoctoral Training Fellow to develop and apply pre-clinical MRI techniques to characterise the tumour microenvironment and its response to treatment in vivo. The successful candidate will play a key role in exploiting MRI for adaptive radiotherapy, performing MRI-embedded investigations of tumour response to radiotherapy/immunotherapy drug combinations. About you The successful candidate must have a PhD (or supervisor’s pre-approval) in Physical or Biomedical Science, and accomplished in the application of imaging techniques for the investigation of cancer. Experience in the development & application of MRI protocols, ideally in a pre-clinical setting, MRI image acquisition and associated software programming for data analysis would be advantageous. The ICR has a workforce agreement stating that Postdoctoral Training Fellows can only be employed for up to 7 years as a PTDF at the ICR ( this includes experience gained at PDTF level prior to joining the ICR). Department/Directorate Information The position will be based within the Centre for Cancer Imaging, part of the Division of Radiotherapy & Imaging at the Institute of Cancer Research. 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. Robinson via email ([email protected]).
Group Leader ICR Clinical Trials and Statistics Unit
Under the leadership of Professor Emma Hall, we are seeking to appoint a Research Group Leader to join The CRUK Clinical Trials and Statistics Unit at the ICR. The ICR-CTSU is a research-led, academic trials unit established in the 1980s. The main objective of the ICR-CTSU is to lead the design, conduct and analysis of multi-centre national and international randomised controlled clinical trials of cancer treatments which will directly influence routine clinical practice within the NHS and worldwide. Key Requirements The successful candidate will ideally have: Higher Degree (MSc or PhD) in Medical Statistics or an allied subject. Significant experience as a biostatistician with a research interest in clinical trials methodology. Broad understanding of cancer research Evidence of intellectual leadership (Career Faculty) Ability to generate research funds to support the 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. Research plan (five to six pages outlining your current research interests and research programme for the next 5 years). The Research plan would be expected to align to ICR-CTSU objectives and include a focus on a methodological area of research which could be applied to the design or analysis of cancer trials. 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 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 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])