Scientist (Translational Biology)

200 staff. Limitless Potential. One team. Cancer Research Horizons.

Scientist (Translational Biology) X2

£33,700 - £38,150 plus benefits

Department: Therapeutic Innovation, R&I
Reports to:  Principal Scientist   
Location: Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge (Lab Based – Low Flex with a minimum of 3 days per week on-site).
Contract type: (X2) 12 month Fixed-Term contracts
hours: Full time, 35 hours per week

Closing date: Sunday 20th September 23:55pm
Interview process: 2 stage interview process, initial screening call via teams followed by on-site competency-based interview with presentation.

Interview Date: w/c 28th September

Visa sponsorship: You must be eligible to work in the UK to apply for this vacancy. Cancer Research UK is not able to offer visa sponsorship. 

At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer.  

We have 2 exciting opportunities for experienced Scientists to join our Translational Biology function within the Bioscience department at Cancer Research Horizons.

In this role, you will play a key role in advancing our oncology and immuno‑oncology pipeline. You will design and deliver critical gene‑perturbation and phenotypic studies, support innovative cell‑based assay development, and contribute to the establishment and the use of complex in vitro cancer models. For one of the roles, we are specifically seeking a skilled, hands-on immunologist with experience in designing, executing and interpreting complex cellular immunology assays with a focus on T-cell biology.

These are exciting opportunities for proactive, detail‑driven scientists who thrive in a collaborative lab environment and are passionate about translating science into meaningful therapeutic progress.

Every role at CRH is united by a single mission: beating cancer sooner. We carry out work that matters—impacting patients, families, and the future of science.

About Cancer Research Horizons 

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

We have recently developed a new approach to driving therapeutic innovation through the creation of Cancer Research Horizons (CRH). We have brought together Cancer Research UK’s established drug discovery teams under one organisation and leadership team, combining our unique pipeline of cancer biology expertise and access to CRUK’s world-class academic network, cutting edge technology platforms and clinical expertise to 1) bring new treatments to patients faster and 2) tackle the biggest challenges in discovering cancer drugs by seeking out more radical ideas and embracing risk in our bid to achieve success.   

Based at sites in Cambridge, the CRUK Scotland Institute in Glasgow, and Newcastle University, you’ll be joining over 200 staff from both industrial and academic backgrounds, all dedicated to bringing forward the day we cure cancer and making real life impact.

 What will you be doing? 

• Perform and interpret gene perturbation studies using tool compounds and gene editing approaches to confirm disease associations and elucidate drug-target engagement and downstream signalling.
• Identify and validate pharmacodynamic (PD) biomarkers to support preclinical-to-clinical translation.
• Contribute to the development and running of translational assays, linking preclinical findings to clinical relevance.
• Plan and deliver experiments using human tumour biopsy tissue, patient derived material and primary cells to integrate in vitro, ex vivo, and in vivo data and support project decision-making.
• Design and perform complex cell culture assays, including 3D coculture experiments using cell lines, patient derived materials and immune cells.
• Conduct and interpret phenotypic assays in cancer and immune cells
• Demonstrate ability to solve problems and develop solutions independently
• Work collaboratively within the Bioscience team and interact with multi-disciplinary research teams.
• Communicate efficiently, interpret and summarise data and present to different audiences.
• Prioritise work according to project goals and take responsibility for the timely delivery of his/her objectives.

 What are we looking for? 

• An advanced degree (BSc, MSc or PhD) in Biological Science or related discipline.
• Strong laboratory skills including molecular and cellular biology techniques, use of tool compounds and development of physiologically relevant robust assays (desirable but not essential).
• Experience in ex-vivo complex models, particularly with patient derived materials, human tumour biopsies and/or immune cells.
• Knowledge of the tumour microenvironment (fibroblast, stroma, ECM, immune cells etc).
• Strong collaboration and relationship‑building skills, with integrity, commitment, and the ability to work effectively as part of a team.
• Highly organised with strong attention to detail, ensuring accuracy and consistency at all times.
• Previous working experience within a multi-disciplinary drug discovery environment or translational academic programmes would be advantageous.

Specific skills for the immuno-oncology position:

• Hands-on experience with primary human T-cell assays, including antigen-specific T-cell activation and cytotoxicity assays.
• Experience with other human immune cell types such as NK cells is desirable.
• Experience in multicolour flow cytometry including panel design, optimisation and data analysis.
• Ability to troubleshoot, optimise and interpret functional immunology assays with scientific rigour.

Our organisation values 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 an 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 at recruitment@cancer.org.uk.  

For more updates on our work and careers, follow us on: Linked In, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.

Our vision is to create a charity where everyone feels like they belong, benefits from and participates in, the work we do. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, in particular those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently under-represented.

We want to see every candidate performing at their best throughout the job application process, interview process and whilst at work. We therefore ask you to inform us of any concerns you have or any adjustments you might need to enable this to happen. Please contact recruitment@cancer.org.uk or 020 3469 8400 as soon as possible. 

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.