Careers at the ICR
We provide exceptional opportunities for the best scientists, clinicians, and professional and administrative staff, and excellent academic and recreational facilities at our two London sites, in Chelsea and Sutton.
As a world-leading research organisation, The Institute of Cancer Research, London, offers 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 outstanding scientists and clinicians, and the most talented professional or administrative staff.
Different types of positions at the ICR
Our aim is to attract the best people in cancer research. We offer an excellent working environment, competitive salaries and good staff benefits. There is a range of career paths at the ICR, in scientific research, research support, and professional and administrative positions.
We offer a variety of professional and administrative roles in areas such as facilities, fundraising, communication, IT, human resources and academic services.
Our professional services teams are tailored to meet the needs of a research organisation, and many of our employees in these teams have backgrounds in science, or experience of working with scientists and clinicians.
Our specialist finance team is experienced at dealing with research grants, and staff within our Business and Innovation Office have the expertise to negotiate complex collaborative agreements between the ICR and pharmaceutical and biotech companies.
We're recruiting the top figures in cancer research to work in a vibrant and confident culture that consistently produces world-changing research.
To become part of our career faculty, you will be an established senior researcher and have the proven leadership skills and international research credibility to direct major scientific programmes, and build and manage a motivated and high-performing scientific team.
Our culture emphasises the importance of collaborative working to address the big challenges in cancer research, and you will be expected to form part of the wider ICR team. You will also recruit and develop the research leaders of the future.
To join the ICR you’ll be a talented scientist looking for the next step after your initial postdoctoral studies. You’ll be ready to start leading a team independently under the mentorship of a leading senior scientist.
Personal fellowships, funded by a variety of medical research agencies and charities, are the usual route for new leaders to join us in areas in which we are traditionally very strong, such as cancer biology. Success as a fellow will put you on a fast-track route to gaining a long-term career at the ICR.
To join us you will have, or be in the process of gaining, a personal fellowship from one of the major national or international funding bodies, such as the Wellcome Trust, Cancer Research UK, one of the Research Councils, the Royal Society or the National Institute for Health Research.
For PhD graduates looking for a postdoctoral role. We offer a competitive salary, rigorous training, many opportunities for professional development, and an open and inclusive working culture.
We offer clinicians a variety of working opportunities, from working as a postdoctoral researcher in one of our eight scientific divisions, to carrying out independent research as a clinician scientist or clinical research fellow, to heading a specialised research team. We also offer clinicians the opportunity to develop their specialty, through a variety of taught or research-based postgraduate degrees.
Collaboration between scientists and clinicians is essential for the translational nature of the cutting-edge research carried out at the ICR. It gets new treatments to patients more quickly, and allows our researchers to learn from experience in the clinic.
Some of our current vacancies
Head of Biology and Director, Centre for Target Validation (Group Leader)
Under the leadership of Dr Olivia Rossanese, we are seeking to appoint a Team Leader to join The Centre for Cancer Drug Discovery (CCDD) as The Head of Biology and Director of the Centre for Target Validation. Key Requirements The successful candidate must have in-depth knowledge and recent experience in an area of cancer biology relevant to oncology drug discovery. Leadership experience of drug discovery within, or in collaboration with, the pharmaceutical or biotechnology industry as evidenced by publication and/or successful commercial projects. Along with completing the online application form, you will be asked to attach the following documents and failure to do so will mean your application cannot be considered on this occasion: · Full CV · Lists of major publications, achievements, research grants, distinctions. · A PDF of a maximum of five key publications, or other research outputs (e.g. patents) that best demonstrate previous productivity · You must also complete the personal statement section of the application form in the format of a covering letter including the names and contact details of three academic referees Department/Directorate Information: The Division of Cancer Therapeutic's mission is to develop personalised medicines by translating information from the cancer genome and cancer biology into drugs for patient benefit. We implement innovative drug discovery technologies, discover novel mechanism-based drugs, and develop these as rapidly as possible from the laboratory through to hypothesis-testing early clinical trials 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 Dr Olivia Rossanese, Email [email protected]
Postdoctoral Training Fellow - Mechanisms and Regulation of pre-mRNA Splicing
Under the leadership of Professor Vlad Pena, we are seeking a highly motivated Postdoctoral Training Fellow with a strong interest in the structural biology of RNA-protein complexes. The primary objective of this project is to elucidate the structural mechanisms underlying key regulatory events in RNA splicing. The successful candidate will focus on reconstituting spliceosomes involved in this process and determining their structures using cryo-electron microscopy (cryo-EM). Comprehensive training in specialized techniques will be provided. Our laboratory offers regular access to cutting-edge structural biology facilities, including recombinant protein expression, purification systems, mammalian cell bioreactors, advanced electron microscopy (Glacios and Titan Krios), high-performance GPU computing clusters, mass spectrometry, and both preparative and analytical biochemistry tools. More detailed information about our research, can be found on our webpage. For general information on Post Doc's at The ICR can be found here. Key Requirements The successful candidate must have a PhD (or equivalent) in structural biology and demonstrate strong expertise in the biochemistry of macromolecular complexes. While experience in RNA biology, the structural study of RNA-protein complexes, and cryo-EM is advantageous, we encourage applications from all talented scientists with a passion for this field. 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 Division of Structural Biology is located at the ICR site in the picturesque Chelsea district of London, offering a vibrant scientific and cultural atmosphere and excellent opportunities for both personal and professional growth. 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 Vlad Pena at [email protected]
Software Engineer
Under the leadership of Prof. Axel Behrens (ICR) and Prof.Kalyan Talluri (Imperial), we are seeking to appoint a Software Engineer to join the CRUK Convergence Science Centre (CSC) to develop and maintain a patient app platform. This innovative project is a collaborative effort between the clinical trials unit at the ICR/Royal Marsden and Imperial College Business School, fully supported by the CSC. Key Requirements The successful candidate must have strong database and programming skills, along with the ability to maintain production applications. The candidate should have a strong desire and capability to pick up new technologies and frameworks in the software and health areas. The post holder will undertake project management and collaborate with clinicians, researchers and other software developers. Department/Directorate Information The CRUK Convergence Science Centre is a research initiative funded by Cancer Research UK (CRUK) that brings together experts from different scientific disciplines to tackle complex challenges in cancer research. It is a partnership between The Institute of Cancer Research ICR and Imperial College London, combining expertise from a wide range of fields, such as biology, engineering, physics, chemistry, and data science, to develop innovative solutions for cancer diagnosis, treatment, and patient care. The Centre focuses on convergence science, an approach that integrates diverse scientific perspectives to accelerate discovery and innovation. By fostering interdisciplinary collaboration, the Centre aims to translate cutting-edge research into practical applications, particularly in areas such as precision medicine, new technologies for cancer treatment, and patient-centred healthcare solutions. 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 Dr Arnaud Legrand [email protected].
Human Resources Adviser
We currently have an exciting opportunity for a self-motivated and experienced HR Adviser to join our HR Operations team. Providing dedicated partnering with client departments, you’ll work closely with line managers to provide proactive and pragmatic advice and guidance on all aspects of people management, taking ownership of a busy employee relations caseload. You will also be responsible for supervising the work of our HR Administrative Team to ensure our monthly payroll input is submitted accurately and on time. You will work closely with other HR teams, including Recruitment, Systems and Information, and Learning and Organisational Development to ensure the provision of an effective, end to end HR service to Scientific and Professional Services teams across the ICR. Key Requirements You will have previous HR advisory experience, as well as a sound experience of managing employee relations cases end-to-end. You’ll need to be highly computer-literate, and have excellent attention to detail, with strong organisational and prioritisation skills to deliver effectively within a fast-paced environment. You will also have first-rate customer service skills to build and maintain collaborative relationships with colleagues across the organisation. Previous line management experience, and of managing small scale team restructures, including knowledge and understanding of TUPE processes would be a distinct advantage. Human Resources Directorate We know that talented, brilliant, passionate people lie at the heart of the ICR. That’s why we provide the policies, procedures, systems and people management infrastructure to recruit, retain, motivate and develop our people to achieve their full potential. We offer both operational and strategic support to teams across the ICR. We are organised across four main functions: HR Operations Learning and Organisational Development Pensions Reward, Information and Systems The ICR’s future success depends on recruiting the very best people with the very best skills and our HR strategy ensures that we have the organisational capacity and capability to deliver this. We encourage all applicants to access the job description pack attached for more detailed information regarding this role. For an informal discussion regarding the Sutton based role, please contact Karen Grieff via email on [email protected].
Higher Scientific Officer, Drug Discovery Biology (Target Evaluation & Molecular Therapeutics team)
We seek a Higher Scientific Officer within the Target Evaluation & Molecular Therapeutics (TEMT) team to carry out high-throughput cell-based screens and target validation assays to uncover potential therapeutic targets in cancer. Projects will involve the use of cancer cell lines treated with libraries of small molecules, targeted protein degraders and chemotherapeutics. Genetic perturbation techniques such as RNAi/CRISPR along with compound dose-response curves will be employed in combination with plated-based cancer viability assays. These experiments will generate key decision-making data for target ID and validation and enable target prioritisation for drug discovery. Key Requirements The successful candidate will be skilled in the development, implementation and quality control of high-throughput cell-based screening. Skills in arrayed or pooled cell-based screening, which may include small molecules and arrayed RNAi screening, and experience with compound dose-response assays, will be important in this role. Experience working with cell lines requiring different culturing conditions and knowledge in cancer biology will be essential. Moreover, prior experience in using molecular cell biology techniques for the assessment of target function and mechanism would be desirable. Finally, at least a Master’s level qualification in Cell Biology or an aligned subject is required for this role, with a relevant PhD (or relevant industrial drug discovery experience) being desirable. Department/Directorate Information The Division of Cancer Therapeutics has an unrivalled track record at discovering novel cancer treatments for the personalised treatment of cancer. Within the Division, the Centre for Cancer Drug Discovery (CCDD) is a multidisciplinary 'bench to bedside' centre, comprising 160 staff dedicated to the discovery and development of novel therapeutics for the treatment of cancer. We are one of the largest academic cancer drug discovery groups in the world and, together with our collaborators, have discovered 21 preclinical development candidates, 13 of which have been progressed to clinical evaluation, many with our partners in the ICR/Royal Marsden Drug Development Unit. Our drug abiraterone (Zytiga) has been approved in the US, Canada and Europe for late-stage prostate cancer. The CCDD’s mission is to develop personalised medicines by translating information from the cancer genome and cancer biology into drugs for patient benefit. We implement innovative drug discovery technologies, discover novel mechanism-based drugs, and develop these as rapidly as possible from the laboratory through to hypothesis-testing early clinical trials. We publish our work extensively and have a large network of collaborations with academia, biotechnology companies, and the pharmaceutical industry. Our teams are dedicated to the discovery of small molecule drug candidates, and to the development of high quality chemical probes to enable new cancer biology research. The Division of Cancer Therapeutics is based in state-of-the art laboratories in the new £75m Centre for Cancer Drug Discovery building, opened in 2020 on the ICR Sutton campus. Centre for Cancer Drug Discovery - The Institute of Cancer Research, London Target Evaluation and Molecular Therapeutics - The Institute of Cancer Research, London 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 Dr Justin Joachim via Email [email protected]
Higher Scientific Officer, Target Validation (Target Evaluation & Molecular Therapeutics team)
We seek a Higher Scientific Officer within the Target Evaluation & Molecular Therapeutics (TEMT) team to carry out lab-based molecular cell biology research focused on potential therapeutic targets in cancer. Projects will involve the use of genetic techniques (RNAi/CRISPR), targeted protein degradation, tool compounds and molecular biology to generate key decision-making data in target validation and enable target prioritisation for drug discovery. The postholder will also contribute to functional assay development and biomarker discovery for targets within the drug discovery pipeline. Key Requirements The successful candidate will be skilled in molecular cell biology techniques employed for target validation and proficient in functional readouts used for interrogating cancer target biology. Experience working with cell lines requiring different culturing conditions and good knowledge in cancer biology will be essential to this role. Moreover, prior experience in high-throughput cell-based screening and in deciphering molecular mechanism of action would be desirable. Finally, at least a Master’s level qualification in Cell Biology or an aligned subject is required for this role, with a PhD (or relevant industrial experience) being desirable. Department/Directorate Information The Division of Cancer Therapeutics has an unrivalled track record at discovering novel cancer treatments for the personalised treatment of cancer. Within the Division, the Centre for Cancer Drug Discovery (CCDD) is a multidisciplinary 'bench to bedside' centre, comprising 160 staff dedicated to the discovery and development of novel therapeutics for the treatment of cancer. We are one of the largest academic cancer drug discovery groups in the world and, together with our collaborators, have discovered 21 preclinical development candidates, 13 of which have been progressed to clinical evaluation, many with our partners in the ICR/Royal Marsden Drug Development Unit. Our drug abiraterone (Zytiga) has been approved in the US, Canada and Europe for late-stage prostate cancer. The CCDD’s mission is to develop personalised medicines by translating information from the cancer genome and cancer biology into drugs for patient benefit. We implement innovative drug discovery technologies, discover novel mechanism-based drugs, and develop these as rapidly as possible from the laboratory through to hypothesis-testing early clinical trials. We publish our work extensively and have a large network of collaborations with academia, biotechnology companies, and the pharmaceutical industry. Our teams are dedicated to the discovery of small molecule drug candidates, and to the development of high quality chemical probes to enable new cancer biology research. The Division of Cancer Therapeutics is based in state-of-the art laboratories in the new £75m Centre for Cancer Drug Discovery building, opened in 2020 on the ICR Sutton campus. Centre for Cancer Drug Discovery - The Institute of Cancer Research, London Target Evaluation and Molecular Therapeutics - The Institute of Cancer Research, London 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 Dr Justin Joachim via Email [email protected].
Postdoctoral Training Fellow - Biology, Target Validation and Genome Stability Group
Under the leadership of Dr Joanna Loizou, we are seeking to appoint a Postdoctoral Training Fellow to join the Target Validation and Genome Stability group within the Centre for Target Validation. For general information on Post Doc's at The ICR can be found here. Key Requirements The successful candidate must have: A PhD (or soon to be awarded) in cell biology, cancer biology or a closely related field Knowledge and experience in lab-based cell biology research Knowledge of cancer biology 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 Target Validation and Genome Stability Group, led by Dr Joanna Loizou, focuses on identifying vulnerabilities in the DNA damage response to generate pre-clinical information that can lead to the identification of novel targets for drug discovery programmes. The ICR has established a Centre for Target Validation that will accelerate the translation of ICR and collaborator research into drug discovery programmes. The Centre will deliver bespoke, hypothesis-driven data packages to support decision-making for launch of drug discovery projects. The Centre’s dedicated resources, including biology, functional genomics, assay sciences, chemistry, and bioinformatics teams, will support joint project teams that combine the deep biological and therapeutic knowledge of ICR investigators with the validation and technical expertise of drug discovery scientists. Scientists in the Centre for Target Validation will work closely with colleagues in the ICR’s Centre for Protein Degradation to exploit emerging technology and protein degradation tools for robust target validation experiments. The Centre for Target Validation will serve as a hub, connecting researchers to expertise and resources that will validate and streamline robust, targets into drug discovery programmes in the ICR’s Centre for Cancer Drug Discovery or into collaborative programmes with external commercial therapy discovery partners. 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 Dr Joanna Loizou via Email on [email protected].
Higher Scientific Officer - Biology, Target Validation and Genome Stability Group
Under the leadership of Dr Joanna Loizou, we are seeking to appoint a Higher Scientific Officer to join the Target Validation and Genome Stability group within the Centre for Target Validation to carry out lab-based cell biology research focused on potential therapeutic targets in cancer. Key Requirements The successful candidate must have: At least a Masters level qualification in Cell Biology or an aligned subject (PhD in Cell Biology or an aligned subject is desirable) Knowledge of cancer biology Knowledge of experimental approaches to therapeutic target validation in cancer Skills in cell biology techniques used for target validation Expertise in a range of biology readouts used for screening and biomarker detection Experience working in lab-based cell biology (can include PhD) Department/Directorate Information The Target Validation and Genome Stability Group, led by Dr Joanna Loizou, focuses on identifying vulnerabilities in the DNA damage response to generate pre-clinical information that can lead to the identification of novel targets for drug discovery programmes. The ICR has established a Centre for Target Validation that will accelerate the translation of ICR and collaborator research into drug discovery programmes. The Centre will deliver bespoke, hypothesis-driven data packages to support decision-making for launch of drug discovery projects. The Centre’s dedicated resources, including biology, functional genomics, assay sciences, chemistry, and bioinformatics teams, will support joint project teams that combine the deep biological and therapeutic knowledge of ICR investigators with the validation and technical expertise of drug discovery scientists. Scientists in the Centre for Target Validation will work closely with colleagues in the ICR’s Centre for Protein Degradation to exploit emerging technology and protein degradation tools for robust target validation experiments. The Centre for Target Validation will serve as a hub, connecting researchers to expertise and resources that will validate and streamline robust, targets into drug discovery programmes in the ICR’s Centre for Cancer Drug Discovery or into collaborative programmes with external commercial therapy discovery partners. 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 Dr Joanna Loizou via Email on [email protected].