Researcher looking up at electron microscope, surrounded by several screens

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.

View our vacancies

Find out more about roles at the ICR

The ICR offers a variety of different research roles, positions in scientific support, and a variety of professional and administrative positions.

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.

Professional services roles

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.

Group leader roles

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.

Research scientist and scientific support roles

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.

Post docs roles

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.

Clinician roles

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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

Research Group Leader, ICR Clinical Trials and Statistics Unit (ICR-CTSU)

  • Sutton
  • Clinical Trials and Statistics Unit
  • £66,092 - £86,908
  • Permanent

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])

Digital Services Senior Project Manager

  • Chelsea
  • Digital Services
  • £64,500
  • Permanent

About the role We are seeking an experienced Digital Services Senior Project Manager to join the team responsible for developing and delivering IT projects at the Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), one of the world’s leading cancer research organisations with sites in London and Sutton. In this role, you will manage projects end‑to‑end through their full lifecycle, coordinating both internal and external resources. Your expertise in Agile and Waterfall methodologies, along with hands‑on experience in testing and implementation, will be essential. You will be joining a small, professional team of Project Managers and will play a key role in helping the organisation meet its growing change and technology needs. You will also have the opportunity to introduce new approaches and improve project delivery practices across the team. As a Digital Services Senior Project Manager, you will lead and oversee multiple concurrent projects, ensuring they are delivered on time, within budget, and to ICR’s quality standards. You will be accountable for planning, execution, stakeholder communication, risk management, and successful handover. Key Requirements We are looking for a candidate who can demonstrate: Significant full lifecycle Project Management experience. A strong background delivering IT projects using structured methodologies. Proven leadership in both Agile and Waterfall environments, including experience leading internal teams and managing external suppliers. The ability to work collaboratively within a team and provide effective leadership. Excellent communication skills, with the ability to convey information clearly to technical and non‑technical stakeholders. A proactive approach to keeping projects on track and ensuring all relevant teams remain informed throughout delivery. Additional Information Due to the high volume of applications we typically receive, we may close this vacancy early once sufficient applications have been submitted. To avoid disappointment, we recommend submitting your application as soon as possible. About the Digital Services Directorate The Digital Services Directorate ensures that everyone at the ICR has access to the technology and tools they need to work effectively. This includes providing specialist IT support to the ICR’s research community and delivering technology solutions that underpin world‑leading cancer research. We strongly encourage applicants to review the full job pack for detailed information about the role.

Clinical Research Fellow

  • Sutton
  • Clinical Studies
  • circa £55,329.00
  • Fixed term

Applications are invited for the post of Clinical Research Fellow in the Prostate Cancer Targeted Therapy Group (PCTTG) at The Institute of Cancer Research and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust to contribute to the discovery, development and delivery of the next generation of treatments, technologies and methodology into clinical care. This post is an excellent opportunity to be centrally involved in the management of patients with advanced prostate cancer enrolled in clinical trials of experimental anti-cancer drugs. In addition, the applicant will be encouraged to become involved in translational research that could lead to a PhD and will gain experience in translational and clinical research including the conduct of clinical trials and manuscript writing. To be considered applicants must meet the following essential criteria: Full registration with the General Medical Council, Acquisition of MRCP, and Clinical experience in managing cancer patients. Department/Directorate Information The PCTTG, under the leadership and guidance of Professor Johann de Bono and Dr Adam Sharp, has led on the development of many of the new drugs currently used for the management of advanced prostate cancer including abiraterone, cabazitaxel, enzalutamide, olaparib and Lutetium PSMA. The Unit is based at the Royal Marsden in the Oak Cancer Centre, a day-care area with outpatient facilities exclusively dedicated to the care and treatment of patients enrolled in clinical trials and is closely linked to our translational research laboratories 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 Professor Johann de Bono via email on [email protected]

Human Resources Adviser

  • Sutton
  • Human Resources
  • £41,600 per annum
  • Fixed term

We currently have an exciting opportunity for a self-motivated and experienced HR Adviser to join our HR Operations team for 12 months. 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].

Data Manager: XNAT Image Repository

  • Sutton
  • Magnetic Resonance
  • Salary range: £36,860 - £38,800 per annum
  • Fixed term

Under the guidance of XNAT Team lead Simon Doran, we are seeking to recruit a Data Manager for the joint Institute of Cancer Research and Royal Marsden XNAT Repository, which holds deidentified imaging and associated clinical data underpinning a huge variety of cancer research projects. The successful candidate will join a dynamic team, with rigorous standards and a large portfolio of state-of-the-art projects and clinical studies. They will play a key role in information governance, information security and data management; liaison with XNAT users and external site teams; training of XNAT users; public and patient involvement and engagement; and active collaboration with scientific teams to contribute to ongoing and future research projects. About you The successful candidate must have: an undergraduate degree (or higher) in computer science, physical sciences, mathematics, computational biology, medicine or a related field; knowledge of computing in a medical field; attention to detail and the ability to use computer software accurately, to maintain adherence to procedures and clinical/regulatory standards; the ability to forge trusted working relationships with peers, senior colleagues and "research customers"; and the ability to respond quickly to issues, taking ownership while ensuring that others engage effectively, acting as a good team player but with the ability to work independently. Ideally, you will also have: experience of engaging in scientific projects with the ability to understand and discuss them with researchers; experience of previous projects involving imaging data; previous exposure to the XNAT imaging platform; and demonstrated programming skills in one or more high-level programming languages (e.g., Python, Java, C++ and JavaScript) and Linux shell scripts. Department/Directorate Information The ICR's Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging (https://www.icr.ac.uk/research-and-discoveries/icr-divisions/radiotherapy-and-imaging) investigates new imaging methods to diagnose cancer, and ways in which advances in technology and molecular biology can improve radiation treatment. It uses imaging to evaluate the response to treatment in vivo, through techniques measuring aspects of tumour biology. Your colleagues in the MRI team will include world-leading clinical radiologists and specialists in imaging informatics, artificial intelligence, MRI physics and image analysis. We operate a state-of-the-art image repository based on the XNAT platform, working at the interface between the Institute and the Royal Marsden. This holds the curated reference copy of deidentified imaging and associated clinical data for more than 250 separate academic activities. 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 Excellent opportunities to gain experience 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].