Senior Principal Scientist (Therapeutic Translation)

Cancer Research UK (CRUK); Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Cancer Research Horizons (CRH) at Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge, seeks a Senior Principal Scientist, Therapeutic Translation, to evaluate CRUK’s research portfolio and identify early translational opportunities with strong therapeutic potential. This role is based in Cambridge with high flexibility, 1–2 days on site per week.

You will build trusted relationships with scientific leaders across CRUK Institutes and international partners to shape future oncology research and translate

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent in bioscience with oncology drug discovery experience.
• Experience identifying and developing small molecules or biotherapeutics.
• Understanding mechanistic cancer biology and current oncology therapies.
• Experience translating opportunities to therapeutic concepts with preclinical models.
• Experience collaborating with academia on translational projects.
• Knowledge of the drug development pipeline from target ID to clinical development.
• Excellent communication and teamwork; strong time management.

Responsibilities

• Support the implementation of a new Therapeutic Translation strategy for CRH TI to enhance opportunities identified from CRUK funded research.
• Identify emerging areas of cancer biology and technological advances to propose priority translational opportunities.
• Analyse current and future CRUK funded research to highlight key translational opportunities.
• Collaborate with CRUK PIs, Institutes and Centres within the UK and internationally to identify opportunities.
• Perform detailed reviews of identified opportunities.
• Shape new hypotheses and collaborative proposals with PIs.
• Signpost the Therapeutic Catalyst scheme and assist development of EOI proposals.
• Propose translational opportunities for strategic interventional funding.
• Propose opportunities for TI collaborations and for experimental validation by TI’s Portfolio Generation.
• Promote the visibility of the Therapeutic Translation team in academia and life science sectors.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Communication skills

Team collaboration

Time management

Education

PhD in Bioscience / Chemical Biology

Job description

Senior Principal Scientist (Therapeutic Translation)

Department: Therapeutic Innovation - R&I

Reports to: Chief Scientific Officer

Location: Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge with high flex (1 to 2 days per week on site).

Contract type/hours: Permanent, Full-time 35 hours per week (flexible working requests will be considered).

Interview Date: To be confirmed.

Interview process: Competency-based interview process with task/presentation.

At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer.

At Cancer Research Horizons (CRH) our Therapeutic Innovation team is investing in a world-leading capability to translate breakthrough discovery science into the next generation of oncology therapeutics. As part of this evolution, we have established a new Therapeutic Translation team. A group of experienced oncology drug discoverers dedicated to identifying, shaping, and accelerating the most exciting science emerging from the CRUK research ecosystem. 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.

As a Senior Principal Scientist, you will play a pivotal role in evaluating the breadth of CRUK’s research portfolio, as well as emerging scientific areas with strong therapeutic potential. Working across CRUK Institutes, Centres, and international academic collaborations, you will build trusted relationships with scientific leaders to uncover early‑stage ideas with the potential to become validated, fundable therapeutic concepts.

This is an outward‑facing, high‑visibility role that requires deep scientific insight, strategic judgement, and a natural curiosity for uncovering translational opportunity before it becomes obvious. You will help transform breakthrough biology into new medicines for cancer patients, shaping not only individual projects, but the future direction of CRUK‑funded oncology research itself.

This position offers a rare opportunity for an accomplished drug hunter to influence therapeutic innovation on a national scale and support the discovery of tomorrow’s cancer therapies. You’ll be joining over 200 staff across CRH from both industrial and academic backgrounds, all dedicated to bringing forward the day we cure cancer.

What will you be doing?

• Support the implementation of a new Therapeutic Translation strategy for CRH TI to enhance the number of therapeutic opportunities identified from CRUK funded research.
• Maintain awareness of emerging areas of cancer biology and technological advances relevant to the objectives of CRH TI in order to identify and recommend priority translational opportunities for examination or investment.
• Analyse current and future CRUK funded research to highlight key translational opportunities.
• Work with CRUK PIs, Research Institutes and Centres, within the UK and internationally (CRUK/NCI Grand Challenges or Academic Alliances) to identify translational opportunities.
• Perform detailed reviews of opportunities identified.
• Shape new hypotheses and collaborative proposals in partnership with PIs.
• Signpost the Therapeutic Catalyst scheme and assist the development and submission of EOI proposals.
• Propose translational opportunities for strategic interventional funding.
• Propose opportunities for consideration as TI collaborations and for experimental validation by TI’s Portfolio Generation.
• Promote the visibility of the Therapeutic Translation team in the academic research community and life science sector.

What are we looking for?

• PhD or equivalent in a relevant discipline (e.g. Bioscience, Chemical Biology) with previous experience of working on oncology drug discovery in industry.
• You will have expertise in identifying and developing small molecule therapies and/or biotherapeutics, with an awareness of alternative therapeutic modalities.
• A good understanding of mechanistic cancer biology, current therapeutic approaches in oncology, and personalised medicine strategies applied to cancer treatment.
• A good understanding of translating opportunities from a target concept to a therapeutic, including relevant target validation methods and the use of preclinical models.
• Previous experience of working productively with or within the academic sector on translational/therapeutic projects.
• Knowledge of the broad drug development pipeline, from Target Identification through to clinical development.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to network and build strong working relationships.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong and collaborative team player.
• Self-motivated individual with excellent time-management skills, able to prioritise workload and deliver to tight deadlines.

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.

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 and take positive steps in your career.

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.