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, research services and education and library 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.
Moving to the UK
We attract staff from all over the world. Find all the information you need to move to the United Kingdom to work with us.
Staff benefits
Find out more about the staff benefits we offer, including a competitive salary package, annual leave entitlements, and sports and social facilities.Some of our current vacancies
Pensions Manager
About the Role We are seeking a Pensions Manager to join our Human Resources Directorate, where you will deliver a high-quality, professional and customer-focused pensions service across the employee lifecycle. This role has a significant impact on the organisation by ensuring the effective administration and governance of all pension schemes, supporting our staff and Trustees, and enabling the ICR to recruit, retain and develop exceptional people. You will be responsible for ensuring that pension contributions and data are processed accurately, that scheme rules and deadlines are met, and that colleagues receive clear and timely guidance on a wide range of pension matters. Key Responsibilities Oversee the administration of all ICR pension schemes, ensuring accurate and timely contributions, reporting and financial records, while working closely with payroll and internal teams to maintain correct system configuration and resolve issues. Provide expert guidance on complex pension matters, including retirement, redundancy, ill-health and death-in-service, and prepare complex calculations, manage sensitive casework and deliver training on scheme changes and legislation. Act as Scheme Secretary for the closed ICR Pension Scheme, supporting Trustees, managing governance processes, coordinating meetings, maintaining scheme documentation and ensuring compliance with regulatory requirements. Lead and support the Pensions Officer and Pensions Contribution Officer through effective line management, promoting high performance, service improvement and professional development. About You We are seeking a proactive, detail-focused pensions professional with strong communication and stakeholder-management skills. You will have solid knowledge of pension law, experience with USS and/or NHS Pension Schemes, and a background working with both defined benefit and defined contribution arrangements. You will be confident managing complex pension cases, interpreting legislation and working effectively with scheme providers and advisers. You should be comfortable handling large data sets, using HR/Payroll systems and meeting tight deadlines, while building credibility through clear, authoritative guidance to staff, managers and Trustees. Strong interpersonal skills, accuracy, conflict-resolution ability and experience supervising others are essential. Professional qualifications such as PMI or CIPD membership, or a relevant degree, would be beneficial. What We Offer A supportive and collaborative working environment. Opportunities for professional development and career progression. Competitive salary and pension Department/Directorate Information The Human Resources Directorate provides the policies, systems and infrastructure that support the ICR’s talented and diverse workforce. The directorate is made up of HR Operations, Learning and Organisational Development, Pensions, and Reward, Information and Systems. Together, these teams ensure the organisation has the workforce capacity and capability to achieve its mission: to make the discoveries that defeat cancer. 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 Mohammad Rehmman via email on [email protected]
Group Leader in In Vivo Cancer Modelling
The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) in London seeks to appoint a Group Leader in In Vivo Cancer Modelling to play a pivotal role in advancing our cutting-edge cancer research. The position is based at the newly established Centre for In Vivo Modelling (CIVM), part of the Division of Cancer Biology. We welcome applications at both the Career Development Faculty and Career Faculty levels. Key Requirements The successful candidate will generate and employ state-of-the-art genetic and humanised mouse models of cancer to tackle fundamental and translational questions in haemato-oncology and/or solid tumour oncology. In addition to leading a successful research group, they will expand the CIVM's research capabilities and foster productive collaborations with other groups and centres at the ICR, thus promoting in vivo modelling by integrating it into multidisciplinary projects and initiatives. Applicants must have an internationally recognised track record of leading research in in vivo modelling and advanced mouse genetics, demonstrated by high-quality publications and significant funding success. For more junior candidates, an outstanding track record in cancer research, coupled with a compelling research vision leveraging advanced genetic mouse models and clear potential to secure competitive external funding, is essential. 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, distinctions. Research plan (five to six pages outlining your current research interests and research programme for the next 5 years) 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 ICR is one of the world’s most influential cancer research institutions, with an outstanding track record of achievement dating back more than 100 years. In addition to being one of the UK’s leading higher education institutions for research quality and impact, the ICR is consistently ranked among the world’s most successful for industry collaboration. As a member institution of the University of London, we also provide postgraduate higher education of international distinction. One of the ICR’s key research strategies is to defeat cancer by viewing it as a dynamic ecosystem. We aim to solidify our expertise in state-of-the-art in vivo cancer models to probe these complex cancer ecosystems, discover their underlying biology, and identify new therapeutic targets. The postholder will significantly contribute to driving these strategic priorities. We encourage all applicants to access the job pack attached for more detailed information regarding this role. If you would like to informally discuss this position, please contact Professor Kamil R. Kranc ([email protected]), Director of the Centre for In Vivo Modelling, or Professor Chris Jones ([email protected]), Head of the Division of Cancer Biology at the ICR.
Director of Estates and Facilities
The Role We are looking for an exceptional leader to join the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) as Director of Estates and Facilities. This is a pivotal role, responsible for shaping and delivering a world-class environment that empowers our staff and students to achieve their organisational and personal goals. Through visionary leadership and a commitment to continuous improvement, you will ensure our services are not only effective but truly outstanding. Key Responsibilities Inspire and develop high-performing teams across Estates Services, Facilities Services and HSEQ ensuring the directorate’s objectives to support the ICR’s mission are achieved - enabling world‑class science through high‑performing infrastructure and services. Lead the creation and implementation of strategies, operating plans, and budgets across all functional areas, aligning with the ICR’s strategic priorities. Embed a culture of excellence and continuous improvement across all areas of service provision. About You A proven senior leader, capable of building effective teams and delivering integrated solutions to complex challenges. With strong influencing skills and the ability to communicate with impact, you will inspire confidence through your personal credibility. Experience operating at senior manager or director level in at least one of the functional areas covered by this role is essential. About the Directorate The Directorate brings together a wide range of professional services functions, including Building & Maintenance, Planning & Development, Site Management and Facilities, and Health, Safety, Environment and Quality (HSEQ). Further Information We encourage all applicants to access the job pack attached for more detailed information about this role.
Application Developer
Summary of Role We would like to appoint an Application Developer to be responsible for the software development of a Greener Trials Toolkit. The Toolkit will be an online, open-access, digital carbon calculator for publicly funded trialists; an accumulating database of emission factors and footprinting results and a user interface providing advice on mitigation strategies for identified hotspots. The Application Developer will: Translate datasets and domain requirements into a data model, SQL schemas, and API-driven back-end services. Be responsible for end-to-end ownership of the technical implementation: building database structures, developing a .NET-based calculation engine, and ensuring the system can scale to additional datasets and external tools. Establish secure coding practices, documentation, and automated tests suitable for academic, research, and regulatory environments Work closely with sustainability researchers, and CTSU technical leads to produce a reliable, transparent, auditable tool that can be reused across studies and adopted by collaborators Contribute to project and development meetings, project plans and presentations and be an integral part of the multi-disciplinary project team Contribute to wider ICR-CTSU IT programming tasks The post offers an excellent opportunity for an enthusiastic and well-motivated individual to work in a dynamic and supportive academic environment and leading UK CRC and Cancer Research UK Clinical Trials Unit. Key Requirements Applicants should hold a first degree or equivalent level qualification in computer science, software engineering or equivalent, relevant professional experience and have an understanding of clinical trials and/or carbon footprinting. Applicants should have a strong knowledge of modern back-end development using C# and .NET (Core or later), including API design and modular service architecture along with analytical and problem solving skills and effective communication. We encourage all applicants to access the job pack attached for more detailed information regarding this role. Department/Directorate Information The Institute of Cancer Research is looking for an experienced Application Developer to join the Cancer Research UK Clinical Trials & Statistics Unit (ICR-CTSU) at its Sutton site in Surrey. ICR-CTSU runs a diverse portfolio of national and international phase III multicentre randomised controlled trials, and phase II trials of targeted treatments with a focus on breast, urological and head and neck cancer treatments Informal enquiries can be made by emailing [email protected].
Research Group Leader, ICR Clinical Trials and Statistics Unit (ICR-CTSU)
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])
Group Leader in Cancer Stem Cell Biology
Key Requirements 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, distinctions. Research plan (five to six pages outlining your current research interests and research programme for the next 5 years) 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 Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) in London seeks to appoint a Group Leader in Cancer Stem Cell Biology to play a pivotal role in advancing our cutting-edge cancer research. The position will be based in newly-refurbished laboratory and office space at our Sutton campus within the Division of Cancer Biology. We welcome applications at both the Career Development Faculty and Career Faculty levels. The ICR is one of the world’s most influential cancer research institutions, with an outstanding track record of achievement dating back more than 100 years. In addition to being one of the UK’s leading higher education institutions for research quality and impact, the ICR is consistently ranked among the world’s most successful for industry collaboration. As a member institution of the University of London, we also provide postgraduate higher education of international distinction. One of the ICR’s key research strategies is to defeat cancer by viewing it as a dynamic ecosystem. We aim to solidify our expertise in the biology of cancer stem cellsaq. The postholder will significantly contribute to understanding the underlying biology of cancer stem cells and how this may be exploited to address key questions in tumour relapse, disease progression and metastasis. The successful candidate will have a compelling research programme focused on cancer stem cell biology in an area which complements existing disease-specific expertise at the ICR / Royal Marsden NHS trust. Possible areas of research include (but are not restricted to) basic mechanisms of self-renewal and pluripotency, regulation of cancer stem cell fate / differentiation, how they remodel the tumour microenvironment into a supportive niche, targeting treatment resistance of cancer stem cells, and the role of CSCs in driving the metastatic cascade. Applicants must have an internationally recognised track record of leading research in cancer stem cell biology, demonstrated by high-quality publications and significant funding success. For more junior candidates, an outstanding postdoctoral track record in cancer research, coupled with a compelling research vision in a strategic area of cancer stem cell biology and clear potential to secure competitive external funding, is essential. If you would like to informally discuss this position, please contact Professor Chris Jones ([email protected]), Head of the Division of Cancer Biology at the ICR.
Student Records Analyst
Summary of Role As Student Records Analyst, you will have responsibility for extracting, analysing, adding and reporting on data related to student activity at the ICR using technologies including SQL scripting, Power BI and PHP. You will manage the ICR’s VLE and student progress tracking system; help to maintain and support a wide range of student-facing web applications and services; create, update and delete accounts; assist with the planning and implementation of new systems; curate our operating procedures around data entry and governance; and create data visualisations. Key Requirements The successful candidate must have: strong numerical and analytical skills, with some experience of data analysis an excellent standard of written and spoken English, including the clear presentation of complex data good interpersonal skills the ability to interpret and summarise complex datasets a proactive approach to identifying, resolving, and preventing future data quality issues the ability to interpret statutory reporting regulations and to apply regulations to individual cases experience in complex relational databases and doing SQL queries experience in Microsoft Excel, including the use of VLOOKUPs and pivot tables Department/Directorate Information The role of the Education and Library Services directorate is to create an efficient and effective environment for the ICR’s scientific community to flourish. Our services underpin education at the ICR. 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 Alistair Inglis-Taylor via email at [email protected].
Clinical Trial Assistant
Applications are invited from University students as part of their sandwich year work placement programmes. Knowledge of clinical trials or science related qualification is desirable. The successful candidate will be computer literate with the ability to organise their work and time around a dynamic clinical unit. Key Requirements There are several exciting positions that have arisen within the Drug Development Unit in the Division of Clinical Studies at the Institute of Cancer Research and Royal Marsden Hospital. We are a rapidly expanding, world class Phase 1 clinical trials unit based within the Royal Marsden Hospital, for the development of novel cancer therapeutics in early phase clinical trials which we believe will improve the care of cancer patients. We have an established one year Clinical Trial Assistant (CTA) programme, which is in its tenth year, and are currently seeking applications for our 2026-2027 programme, commencing towards the end of July 2026. The position is suitable for someone who is willing to develop their career in Clinical Trials. The post holder will gain exposure to early phase clinical trial methodologies, trial management processes, and translational aspect of cancer drug development and also gain hands on experience in clinical trial data management & data administration tasks. The post holder will also participate in multi-disciplinary team meetings and develop an understanding of intricate clinical trial processes & decision making. The post holder is responsible for providing administrative support to the Clinical Trials’ Team and supporting the team in the processes of data collection, data collation, quality checks, trial pharmacy document management and maintenance of study specific files in accordance with ICH-GCP. Due to the high volumes of applications we receive, we reserve the right to close the advert before the published closing date, once we have received a sufficient number of applications. Therefore, we advise that you to submit your application including a supporting statement plus a CV, as early as possible to avoid disappointment. Department Information: The Drug Development Unit, (DDU) at The Institute of Cancer Research, London, and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust, is a world-leading centre for early-phase oncology trials, translating cutting-edge science into first-in-human clinical trials. Through close integration of laboratory and clinical expertise, the Unit supports the functions of sponsoring early phase trials through Investigator Initiated Trials Team, as well as, delivers academic and industry sponsored trials. Our mission is to fast-track the development of anti-cancer drugs, designed and synthesised at The ICR, or developed by CRUK scientists, or developed by industry collaborators, in order to rapidly impact the care of cancer patients. The DDU has been involved in the development of many hundreds of novel agents including several practice-changing cancer drugs. The DDU is one of the Experimental Cancer Medicine Centres in the UK, part of the CRUK Convergence Science Centre and the Early Phase Drug Development Theme within the ICR-RM NIHR Biomedical Research Centre (BRC). The DDU has multiple academic and industry collaborations both nationally and internationally, to optimally serve our patients. The Unit is led by Professor Johann de Bono and Professor Udai Banerji.