Scientist mixing solutions in lab

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.

Scientists in lab - Four scientists working in a lab

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. 

 

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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.

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.

What is your educational/work background?

I did my undergraduate degree in Genetic Engineering at SRM University, India. In 2016, I moved to London to do an MRes in Molecular Biophysics at King’s College London.

Why did you want to study at the ICR?

During my master’s degree, I had the opportunity to work with researchers at the ICR and collect some electron microscopy data. I was really fascinated by the technique and the facility at the ICR and kept in touch with the team about any future research opportunities.

Talk us through your typical day

You can find me running around between the Structural Biology laboratories on the fifth floor where I perform biophysical experiments and the Electron Microscopy suite in the basement. I also spend time in the office processing my images to create a 3D molecular structure of my protein of interest.

What big projects are you working on?

HSET is known to help cancer cells evade death. But this protein is completely redundant in healthy cells, making it an important anti-cancer drug target. What’s even more exciting is this protein can literally “hop” within the cell! As a structural biologist, I find that really intriguing to explore.

What’s the best thing about working at the ICR?

A healthy, supportive and professional working environment that allows me to perceive the impact of my research in the big picture of an anti-cancer drug discovery pipeline.

How do you take part in life at the ICR outside your studies?

I am lucky to be working across both the Sutton and the Chelsea sites, so I always have people to hang out with during lunch or after work in a park/pub. Also, the student committee comes up with great ideas for socials to ensure we stay in touch with each other.

What opportunities has studying at the ICR given you?

ICR has given me several opportunities to communicate my science in different ways- to scientific and non-scientific audiences, internal and external talks, oral presentations or written chats.  These challenging experiences have allowed me to grow as a scientific communicator and build a network with professionals in the UK.

What’s your favourite part of life at the ICR?

Meeting and working with people who are as passionate and excited about discussing science as I am.

What do you do to unwind?

I mostly just make music or read comic books. There are some days where I do nothing except browsing through YouTube videos. Before lockdown, I used to play squash in the Sutton site and I hope to do so again soon.

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.

What is your educational/work background?

I did my undergraduate degree in Genetic Engineering at SRM University, India. In 2016, I moved to London to do an MRes in Molecular Biophysics at King’s College London.

Why did you want to study at the ICR?

During my master’s degree, I had the opportunity to work with researchers at the ICR and collect some electron microscopy data. I was really fascinated by the technique and the facility at the ICR and kept in touch with the team about any future research opportunities.

Talk us through your typical day

You can find me running around between the Structural Biology laboratories on the fifth floor where I perform biophysical experiments and the Electron Microscopy suite in the basement. I also spend time in the office processing my images to create a 3D molecular structure of my protein of interest.

What big projects are you working on?

HSET is known to help cancer cells evade death. But this protein is completely redundant in healthy cells, making it an important anti-cancer drug target. What’s even more exciting is this protein can literally “hop” within the cell! As a structural biologist, I find that really intriguing to explore.

What’s the best thing about working at the ICR?

A healthy, supportive and professional working environment that allows me to perceive the impact of my research in the big picture of an anti-cancer drug discovery pipeline.

How do you take part in life at the ICR outside your studies?

I am lucky to be working across both the Sutton and the Chelsea sites, so I always have people to hang out with during lunch or after work in a park/pub. Also, the student committee comes up with great ideas for socials to ensure we stay in touch with each other.

What opportunities has studying at the ICR given you?

ICR has given me several opportunities to communicate my science in different ways- to scientific and non-scientific audiences, internal and external talks, oral presentations or written chats.  These challenging experiences have allowed me to grow as a scientific communicator and build a network with professionals in the UK.

What’s your favourite part of life at the ICR?

Meeting and working with people who are as passionate and excited about discussing science as I am.

What do you do to unwind?

I mostly just make music or read comic books. There are some days where I do nothing except browsing through YouTube videos. Before lockdown, I used to play squash in the Sutton site and I hope to do so again soon.

Lab - View of a lab with scientists working

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.
Three people sitting at a table in an office, engaged in discussion and collaboration.

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.

More about roles at the ICR

Our discoveries are made possible by a mix of scientists at different levels, as well as the leadership and corporate roles that keep us running day to day.

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:

Head of Biology and Director, Centre for Target Validation (Group Leader)

  • Sutton
  • Cancer Therapeutics
  • Competitive Starting Salary
  • Permanent

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

  • Chelsea
  • Structural Biology
  • Salary Range: £38,700 - £45,500 per annum
  • Fixed term

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 – X-Ray Crystallography

  • Sutton
  • Hit Discovery & Structural Design
  • £45,600 - £51,450
  • Fixed term

A postdoctoral position is available in Dr Rob van Montfort’s Hit Discovery and Structural Design Team within the CCDD. The Post-doc will be involved in the structure determination of protein-ligand complexes, primarily by X-ray crystallography but also potentially by cryo-electron microscopy (cryoEM), as part of one of the CCDD’s drug discovery programmes. The postholder will be responsible for protein production and purification, protein crystallisation, structure determination by X-ray crystallography and subsequent structural analysis. The successful candidate will be an integral member of a multidisciplinary project team within the CCDD at the ICR Sutton site, and will interact closely with biologists, computational chemists, medicinal chemists, assay scientists and structural biologists.They will have access to state-of-the-art facilities for protein production and purification, as well as biophysical characterisation and crystallisation at the Sutton site. We also benefit from excellent access to Diamond Light Source synchrotron at the Harwell Science and Innovation campus, Didcot, UK, for X-ray data collection. Additionally, the successful candidate will also be part of the Division of Structural Biology, located in Chelsea, in which the structural biologists in Dr van Montfort’s team are also embedded, and will have access to its state-of-the art cryoEM facilities. These include an in-house Glacios and 30% direct access to a Titan KRIOS located at the Francis Crick Institute. Both microscopes are equipped with Falcon III detectors and volta phase plates (VPP). In addition, we have excellent access to the electron bioimaging Centre (eBIC) at the Harwell Science and Innovation campus, Didcot, UK. About you The successful candidate must have must have a PhD (or equivalent) in a biological or physical science, with demonstrable experience in X-ray crystallography and protein biochemistry. Experience in cryo-EM specimen preparation and data processing would be an advantage, though not strictly mandatory. Experience in molecular biology, protein expression and purification, as well as biophysical characterisation of protein samples would also be highly desirable. The ICR has a workforce agreement stating that Postdoctoral Training Fellows can only be employed for up to 7 years as PDTF (including previous employment at this level elsewhere). For general information on Postdocs at The ICR, more information can be found here. Department/Directorate Information The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR), London, is one of the world’s most influential cancer research institutes, with an outstanding record of achievements dating back more than 100 years. We provided the first convincing evidence that DNA damage is the basic cause of cancer, laying the foundation for the now universally accepted idea that cancer is a genetic disease. Today, the ICR leads the world at isolating cancer-related genes and discovering new targeted drugs for personalised cancer treatment. Together with our hospital partner The Royal Marsden, we are rated in the top four centres for cancer research and treatment worldwide. As well as being a world-class institute, we are a college of the University of London. We came top in the league table of university research quality compiled from the Research Excellence Framework in 2014 and second in 2021 (REF 2014 and 2021). The ICR is committed to attracting, developing and retaining the best minds in the world to join us in our mission – to make the discoveries that defeat cancer. Department/Directorate Information: The Centre for Cancer Drug Discovery (CCDD), within the Division of Cancer Therapeutics, is a multidisciplinary 'bench to bedside' centre, comprising around 160 staff dedicated to the discovery and development of novel therapeutics for the treatment of cancer. The CCDD’s exciting goal is to discover high quality small molecule drug candidates and to progress these to clinical trial. All the scientific disciplines are in place to make this possible, including medicinal chemistry, biology, structural biology, assay scientists, drug metabolism and clinical specialists. This is an exciting and fast-moving research setup and offers the opportunity to work within a multi-disciplinary environment using state-of-the-art techniques and equipment. 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 Dr van Montfort [email protected] or Dr Le Bihan [email protected]. Please DO NOT send your application to Dr Van Montfort or Dr Le Bihan, but apply via the e-recruitment system on our websitewww.icr.ac.uk/careers.

Postdoctoral Training Fellow: In Situ Structural Biology

  • Chelsea
  • Structural Biology
  • Salary Range: £45,600 - £49,350 per annum
  • Fixed term

Under the leadership of Professor Sebastian Guettler, we seek a Postdoctoral Training Fellow to join the Structural Biology of Cell Signalling Group at ICR's Chester Beatty Laboratories, Fulham Road in London. The new Team Member will investigate the structure of macromolecular assemblies in situ, using cryogenic fluorescence microscopy and cryo-electron tomography (cryo-ET), with a particular emphasis on the mechanisms of the ADP-ribosyltransferase tankyrase. The Team Member will be supported by ICR's Light and Electron Microscopy Facilities and benefit from recent investments into in situ structural biology at the ICR. General information on Postdocs at the ICR can be found here. Key requirements The successful candidate must have a PhD in a biological science or any other area relevant to the laboratory's research. Experience in cryo-EM is essential, and experience in in situ structural biology approaches is desirable. The ICR has a workforce agreement stating that Postdoctoral Training Fellows can only be employed for up to 6 years as a PTDF at the ICR (this includes experience gained at PDTF level prior to joining the ICR) Department/Directorate Information The candidate will work in the Structural Biology of Cell Signalling Group within the ICR Division of Structural Biology headed by Professor Laurence Pearl and Professor Sebastian Guettler. The Division features state-of-the-art structural biology infrastructure and a vibrant research community. Its Electron Microscopy Facility is equipped with a 200-keV Thermo Fisher Scientific Glacios TEM with a Falcon 4i detector. The ICR further has access to Krios microscopes via the Electron Bio-Imaging Centre (eBIC) at the Diamond Light Source and the London Consortium for Cryo-EM (LonCEM). Recent investments include equipment for in situ structural biology, particularly a Leica EM GP2 plunge freezer, an EM ICE high-pressure freezer, an Ultracut ultramicrotome with an FC7 cryo-chamber, a STELLARIS 5 cryo-confocal microscope, and a Thermo Fisher Scientific Selectris energy filter for ICRs Glacios TEM. FIB-SEM access is available through eBIC. An initiative to establish FIB-SEM at the ICR is underway. 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 Sebastian Guettler via email on [email protected].