Scientist

Strategic team efforts. Seamless synergy. Tangible results.

Scientist - Bioscience team, under the leadership of Stuart Farrow

£33,700 - £38,150 (dependent on experience) plus benefits (includes up to 12% pension contribution and income protection)

Reports to: Principal Scientist

Directorate: Research & Innovation

Contract: Permanent

Hours: Full time 35 hours per week

Location: Lab based role at Francis Crick Institute, NW1 1AT

Closing date: Monday 21st April 2025 23:55

This vacancy may close earlier if a high volume of applications is received or once a suitable candidate is found, therefore we strongly recommend that you apply early to avoid disappointment.

Visa sponsorship: Cancer Research UK can consider visa sponsorship for this vacancy (conditions will apply). If this applies to you, please ensure that this is clearly marked on your application.

Recruitment process:

1. 1st stage interview via Microsoft Teams
2. 2nd stage interview will include a presentation, competency-based questions, and discussion around a pre-prepared scientific case study.

Interview date:

1. 1st stage interviews will take place on 6th & 7th May 2025.
2. 2nd stage interviews will take place on 13th & 14th May 2025.

Do you want to help deliver breakthrough medicines for cancer patients?

Cancer Research UK are looking for an ambitious and proactive science professional to join the Bioscience team which is part of Cancer Research Horizons (CRH).

About CRUK Drug Discovery

As the world's biggest medical research charity, we have helped bring eleven new cancer drugs to market. However, there is still an urgent need to bring more effective treatments to patients faster.

Cancer Research Horizons was established in 2022, bringing together Cancer Research UK's established drug discovery teams under one organisation and leadership team, combining our unique pipeline of world class biology, cutting edge technology platforms and clinical expertise. We aim to tackle the biggest challenges in discovering cancer drugs by seeking out more radical ideas and embracing risk in our bid to achieve success.

About the Role

As a Scientist within the Bioscience team, you will form an integral part of the Cancer Research Horizons Drug Discovery team working alongside our industry and academic partners to progress novel cancer targets towards patient benefit. You will work to design, perform and interpret drug discovery studies using tool compounds/antibodies, gene knockdown and/or gene editing approaches. You will also conduct and interpret phenotypic assays in cell line models and work on assay development.

This is a great opportunity to learn new skills and techniques and grow independence in a supportive team environment, where we can offer mentorship, a chance to work with academic partners and attend conferences that celebrate our science.

What will I be doing?

This role is for a lab-based scientist involved in target validation and disease positioning studies, supporting cell-based assay development and compound profiling.

• Design, perform and interpret gene perturbation studies using tool compounds, gene knockdown and gene editing approaches in cancer cell lines, primary immune cells and co-culture systems
• Design, perform and interpret assays to inform development of oncology/immuno-oncology assets
• Demonstrate ability to solve problems and develop solutions independently
• Work collaboratively within the Bioscience team and interact with multi-disciplinary research teams both internally and with external collaborators
• Communicate efficiently, interpret and summarise data and present results to different audiences
• Prioritise work according to project goals and take responsibility for the timely delivery of objectives
• Maintain accurate and up to date electronic laboratory notebook
• Keep up to date with state-of-the-art technologies and knowledge of developments in cancer therapeutics and/or immuno-oncology
• Maintain assigned laboratory equipment and/or perform routine laboratory duties
• Perform all work demonstrating due care and attention to all health and safety and COSHH regulations

What are we looking for?

Essential:

• PhD in biological science (or equivalent drug development experience).

Desirable:

• Research experience in oncology
• Skills or knowledge of the tumour microenvironment (fibroblast, stroma, ECM, immune cells etc)
• Research experience in Pharma/Biotech

Technical expertise:

• Gene perturbation approaches and techniques including siRNA, shRNA, CRISPR, overexpression
• Cell culture techniques
• Molecular biology techniques (such as real-time RT-PCR, western blot, ELISA, Immunofluorescence, Flow cytometry)
• Primary cell maintenance and handling

Behaviours:

• You will be collaborative with strong relationship building skills
• You will be organised and have great attention to detail
• You will have a flexible approach with the ability to adapt to new challenges in a fast-paced setting
• You will have a proactive mindset and desire to learn

Our organisation values are designed to guide all that we do.

Bold: Act with ambition, courage and determination

Credible: Act with rigour and professionalism

Human: Act to have a positive impact on people

Together: Act inclusively and collaboratively

We're looking for people who can believe in and embody these organisation values and can use them to drive forward progress against our mission to beat cancer.

If you're interested in applying and excited about working with us but are unsure if you have the right skills and experience, we'd still love to hear from you.

What will I gain?

We create a working environment that supports your wellbeing and provide a generous benefits package, a wide range of career and personal development opportunities and high-quality tools. Our policies and processes enable you to improve your work-life balance, take positive steps in your career and achieve your personal wellbeing goals.

You can explore our benefits by visiting our careers web page.

How do I apply?

We operate an anonymised shortlisting process in our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. CVs are required for all applications; but we won't be able to view them until we invite you for interview. Instead, we ask you to complete the work history section of the online application form for us to be able to assess you fairly and objectively.

For more information on this career opportunity please visit our website or contact us.

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Unfortunately, we are unable to recruit anyone below the age of 18, so that we can protect young people from health & safety and safeguarding risks.