Senior Principal Scientist (Thereputic Translation)

Cancer Research UK; Cambridge; Hybrid; GBP 58,000 - 76,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous benefits

Career development

Wellbeing support

Flexible working

Job summary

Cancer Research UK is seeking a Senior Principal Scientist (Therapeutic Translation) to drive translational opportunities from our Therapeutic Innovation portfolio. Based at Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge, with 1–2 days on site and flexible working arrangements, you will shape new translational programs and collaborate with leading academic and clinical partners.

The role requires a PhD in a relevant discipline with oncology drug discovery experience, strong target validation and

Qualifications

• PhD in bioscience or related field with oncology drug discovery experience.
• Experience identifying and developing cancer therapeutics, including small molecules or biologics.
• Understanding of target validation, preclinical models and translational opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Support implementing a new Therapeutic Translation strategy.
• Identify translational opportunities from CRUK funded research.
• Collaborate with CRUK PIs and Institutes in the UK and internationally.
• Analyze current and future CRUK funded research to highlight opportunities.
• Review opportunities and shape hypotheses with PIs.
• Signpost Therapeutic Catalyst scheme and assist EOI proposals.
• Propose opportunities for interventional funding and TI collaborations.
• Promote visibility of the Therapeutic Translation team in the research community.

Skills

PhD

Oncology drug discovery

Small molecule therapies

Biotherapeutics

Target validation

Preclinical models

Academic collaboration

Drug development pipeline

Communication skills

Time management

Team player

Education

PhD or equivalent

Job description

Senior Principal Scientist (Therapeutic Translation) £58,400 - £76,000 plus benefits

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).

Closing date: Sunday 18th October 23:55pm

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.

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

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

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.

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.

We’re the world’s leading cancer charity, dedicated to saving and improving lives with our research. We work to reduce the impact of cancer on people’s day‑to‑day lives through our research, influence and information. We are beating cancer – step by step, day by day. Our work means that people with cancer live better lives through earlier diagnosis and kinder, more effective treatments. Find a purposeful career that will empower you to grow and collaborate with like‑minded experts.