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.

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.

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.

Student Profile
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.

Employee Story
Head of Research Support (corporate role) Dr Becky Cook Dr Becky Cook is Head of Research Support at The Institute of Cancer Research. She oversees our large strategic grant applications and is supporting the ICR's next submission to the Research Excellence Framework (REF), which is the definitive government evaluation of the quality and impact of research at UK universities.

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.
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.
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
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]
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])
Tessa Jowell Brain Cancer Mission: Clinical Fellowship in Neuro Oncology
The Tessa Jowell Fellowship The Tessa Jowell Fellowships, hosted in collaboration with Tessa Jowell Centres of Excellence (TJCE), are designed to support clinicians to address the needs of the future of neuro-oncology. The 12-month funded Fellowships aim to train highly skilled clinicians that are capable of appreciating the breadth of comprehensive brain tumour management and can integrate knowledge and experience in personalizing and optimising cancer care. The intention is for the Fellow to gain experience with the ultimate objective of leading high impact practice changing neuro-oncology clinical trials in the future as a Chief Investigator. This particular fellowship is for a dedicate Neuro-Oncology Clinical Fellow within the Drug Development Unit at the Institute of Cancer Research and The Royal Marsden. The Institute of Cancer Research The ICR is one of the world’s most influential cancer research institutes with an outstanding record of achievement dating back more than 100 years. The scientists at the ICR have contributed to identifying several cancer genes, discovered multiple practice changing cancer drugs and have developed precision therapies. Together with our hospital partner The Royal Marsden (RM) , we are rated in the top four centres for cancer research and treatment worldwide. The ICR was ranked first in the UK for its research in biological sciences in a combined assessment of research quality, impact and environment; and overall, second in the UK among all higher Education institutions in REF 2021 analysis. The Royal Marsden The Royal Marsden is recognised worldwide for the quality of it cancer services. The Trust’s strategic aim is to achieve excellence in cancer treatment and diagnosis, through partnership and collaboration. The prime purpose of the Trust is the provision of state of the art cancer services as well as enabling research into the development of improved methods of prevention, diagnosis and treatment of cancer. Its other main purpose is teaching and the dissemination of knowledge both nationally and internationally. The Drug Development Unit, The DDU 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 TJBCM Fellowships are for applicants who are near completion of training in clinical or medical oncology. Applicants will need to be able to demonstrate that they meet the range of skills and experience outlined in the person specification. The fellowship is focused on providing extensive clinical experience working with novel targeted therapies as well as experience in all aspects of Phase 1 trial conduct, over twelve months. Importance is placed on the longitudinal experience of managing brain tumours in these settings, in which clinical oncology trainees usually have approximately 4-months and medical oncology trainees have zero experience within a standard training programme. Fellows are further encouraged to gain experience and understanding of the multi-disciplinary approach to brain tumour management, with the opportunity to spend one day a week observing and learning from the various disciplines involved in brain tumour management. The objective of the Tessa Jowell Drug Development Unit Fellowship is to offer the opportunity for a medical oncology (or clinical oncology) trainee who wishes to gain specific experience in early clinical trials with a specific focus on neuro-oncology. The post provides: extensive clinical experience working with novel targeted therapies in oncology(clinics, ward work and consultant ward rounds) experience in all aspects of Phase 1 trial conduct from protocol development, trial setup, trial conduct in line with GCP, clinical and administrative management of trials, decision making on dose escalation, correlation of clinical and laboratory findings (pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics). The majority of the anti-cancer drugs being explored at often at a very early first in human stage and span a breath of immune-oncology, DNA damage-response therapies, targeted therapies as well as novel anti-cancer strategies. Opportunities to be involved in projects leading to publication of manuscripts, and trial presentation at national and international meetings. For suitable candidates, there is the option to develop grant applications and translational project proposals for higher degrees (MD/PhD). 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.