Senior Translational Oncology Scientist

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

Job summary

Cancer Research UK at the Babraham Research Campus in Cambridge with flexible on-site days seeks a Senior Principal Scientist in Therapeutic Translation to shape translational opportunities across CRUK institutes and international collaborations.

You will evaluate the research portfolio, identify high-potential translational ideas, and drive strategic proposals, partnering with PIs and guiding early discovery toward funded therapeutic concepts.

Qualifications

• 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.

Responsibilities

• 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.

Skills

Oncology drug discovery

Small molecule therapies

Biotherapeutics

Target validation methods

Preclinical models

Interpersonal skills

Written and verbal communication

Time-management

Team player

Education

PhD or equivalent in Bioscience/Chemical Biology

Job description

Cancer Research UK at the Babraham Research Campus in Cambridge with flexible on-site days seeks a Senior Principal Scientist in Therapeutic Translation to shape translational opportunities across CRUK institutes and international collaborations.

You will evaluate the research portfolio, identify high-potential translational ideas, and drive strategic proposals, partnering with PIs and guiding early discovery toward funded therapeutic concepts.