Postdocs
As a postdoc at the ICR, you’ll be working at the forefront of cancer research, in an environment that’s collaborative, international and inclusive.
We aim to attract the best scientific minds, wherever in the world they come from. With postdocs from all over the UK and the world, you'll be joining a welcoming community that prioritises training the next generation of world-leading researchers. You’ll also benefit from our strong links with our partner hospital, The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, as well as our links with companies through industrial partnerships.
Benefits and culture
We offer a competitive salary, rigorous training, many opportunities for professional development, and an open and inclusive working culture. Our PostDoc Association, faculty and learning and development team work closely to support postdocs.
We also offer generous annual leave and family-friendly policies that support parents, including stop the clock, which supports maternity leave during research.
Reimbursing your visa and other costs
Successful applicants will be able to claim the cost of their visa and of the immigration health surcharge (IHS) for themselves and for their dependants once they have joined. This is a taxable benefit. Applicants often find the UK visa application process to be less onerous than for some other countries, such as the United States.
We provide extensive training and development opportunities that will help prepare for your future career inside or outside academia.
Throughout your postdoc fellowship, you’ll be offered training and support to help you to develop your skills in key areas such as high-impact publishing, managing research projects, leadership and career planning.
Getting started
We run training sessions for new postdocs, as well as a postdoc buddy system to help you to settle into your new role. We normally pair you with someone from a different discipline, to broaden your network. We can also try to match you with someone who speaks your native language.
Training and support
As signatories of the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers, we are committed to providing our postdocs with at least 10 days each year for their personal and career development. We offer a wide range of activities that you can tailor to your career stage, research interests and career ambitions. These include:
- On-the-job training – such as shadowing funding panels, grant writing, peer review, supervising and mentoring others, lab visits, committee membership and project-related placements.
- Informal opportunities – such as building professional networks, engaging with the ICR Postdoc Committee, participating in conference organising committees, mentoring (as mentor or mentee), and 1:1 career support with consultants employed by the ICR.
- Formal training and professional development courses – on topics ranging from supervisor training, writing and publishing, and statistics, to project management and entrepreneurship.
The Pathway to Independence – a competitive programme that we run in collaboration with the Wellcome Sanger Institute and CRUK, is also an option for postdocs who are aiming to become academic team leaders.
We also provide training on science communication and outreach to support your participation in our public engagement programme.
You'll be joining a diverse and talented community of postdocs who come to work here from all over the UK and the world.
We’ve around 150 postdocs working at the ICR from across dozens of countries around the world at any one time. Several groups can help you to settle in, build a social network and get involved with life at the ICR.
PostDoc Association
Our Postdoc Association (PDA) brings together postdocs across the ICR for professional and social events, which include away days and conferences. It provides a community for postdocs to feel connected and supported.
Join our networks
From our LGBT+ Network and our forum on race and ethnicity to sports clubs and seminars, you’ll have the chance to connect with like-minded researchers and build your network.
Our active Postdoc and Alumni LinkedIn group is also a great way to connect with others and get answers to common questions – from what it’s like to rent in London to how to set up a UK bank account.
Former ICR postdocs are also welcome to subscribe to Network, our alumni e-newsletter, so they can continue to feel part of our community even after moving on in their careers.
Employee stories
Vacancies at the ICR
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 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)
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 Operations Project Manager
About the team The Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre at The Institute of Cancer Research, in the Division of Breast Cancer Research, 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. The Centre is located in state-of-the-art laboratory space in central London, is supported by excellent core facilities and is funded through a long term renewable programme grant from Breast Cancer Now. The Director of the Centre is clinician scientist Professor Andrew Tutt. Professor Chris Lord is the Deputy Director and is a cancer biologist. Our work is fully integrated in a programme that Professor Tutt directs with our colleagues in the Breast Cancer Now Unit at King’s College London (KCL Deputy Director Dr. Sheeba Irshad). We also work closely with partners across the ICR and with colleagues in the Royal Marsden Hospital and Guy’s Hospital. About the role Key to our success is the ability to fund the research in the Centre and the Division, either by competitive research grants, or via collaborations with those in the biotech. and pharmaceutical commercial sectors. Enabling, managing and maintaining key collaborations with other academic research groups, both external and within ICR is also key to our success. This role is therefore aimed at providing assistance to the Director, Deputy Directors and Principal Investigators by: Supporting our ongoing relationship with our main funder, Breast Cancer Now, by project managing the submission from the Centre of annual reports and our five year cross-programme grant renewal application Identifing new grant funding opportunities and supporting grant applications Identifying and project managing new commercial opportunities e.g. collaborations with pharma. and biotech. Working with the ICR’s Business and Innovation team to develop research agreements and commercial contracts that support collaborations with pharma. and biotech. Carrying out administrative tasks associated with the use of the selection and acquisition of equipment in collaboration with the Research Centre’s laboratory manager Carrying out administrative tasks associated with the use of scientific core facilities and CROs Carrying out supporting administration that is associated with interactions with scientific collaborators, including our colleagues within ICR, the ICR/Imperial College CRUK Convergence Science Centre, the Breast Cancer Now Research Unit at King’s College London and colleagues in the Royal Marsden Hospital and Guy’s Hospital Assisting with the composition and submission of research manuscripts from the Centre, including liaising with communications teams within ICR and Breast Cancer Now Managing our Patient Representatives programme Managing scientific content on external website pages and on internal wiki pages. Assisting with the implementation of our new laboratory lab management system. (SLIMs) Planning of scientific meetings and any scientific associated tasks that aid the delivery of research in the Centre & Division, including monthly Group Leaders meetings and retreats Key candidate requirements Hold a PhD in a life science subject Extensive knowledge of wet laboratory cancer research gained from working in a cancer research laboratory Knowledge of the academic/charitable industry funding system Knowledge of Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Cancer Biology Proven scientific communication skills (written and verbal)
Scientific Officer: Radiotherapy Physics Modelling
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]