At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer
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Cancer Research Horizons are seeking an experienced Scientist to provide lab‑based scientific leadership and intellectual input across the design, development, execution, and analysis of biochemical experiments. You will characterise target mechanisms, drive hit‑identification campaigns, generate high‑quality SAR/SKR data, and deliver compound mechanism‑of‑action studies. Your contributions will be central to shaping project strategy and advancing portfolio objectives.
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.
What will you be doing?
1. Provide practical scientific leadership to characterise small molecules in vitro using a range of biochemical assay technologies, with a particular focus on mechanistic enzymology. Drive a strategic focus on detailed kinetic and mechanism of inhibition studies and their translation into the cellular environment.
2. Implement innovative ways of working through keeping abreast of cutting-edge biochemical techniques and technologies and driving their implementation, including through building expert external relationships
3. Characterise cancer targets in detail at the molecular level
4. Define biochemical cascades to support characterisation of novel small molecules for oncology targets
5. Ensure delivery of high-quality biochemical SAR / SKR compound profiling data
6. Working together with external scientific providers including CROs, provide scientific leadership to define and implement best practice for biochemical assays and bespoke mechanism-of-action studies to complement internal capabilities.
7. Work collaboratively with multi-disciplinary research teams across Cancer Research Horizons and with external collaborators
8. Represent Cancer Research Horizons at external conferences, and promote our innovative science through publication
9. Interpret and summarise data for presentation to different audiences
10. Communicate effectively, with openness and respect for the opinions of others
11. Prioritise own work and that of line reports according to project goals and take responsibility for the timely delivery of team objectives
12. Through matrix management, train and mentor others.
13. Maintain accurate and up to date electronic laboratory notebook practises to capture external science
What are we looking for?
14. BSc, MSc or PhD in biochemistry or in vitro pharmacology (relevant experience may be substituted for education)
15. Significant research experience in an industrial drug discovery environment
16. Proven expert experience in using mechanistic enzymology to characterise novel targets
17. Deep and broad understanding of biochemical assays, including kinetic profiling
18. Knowledge and awareness of emerging technologies with the biochemical space
19. Significant experience of assay development for a range of target classes
20. Significant experience of working with and characterising small and large molecules
21. Credible external reputation, as evidenced though publication/presentation at key conferences
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 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.