Student Placement - Mechanistic Pharmacology (lab based undergraduate placement scheme)

Cancer Research UK (CRUK); Babraham; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 26,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Benefits package

Career development opportunities

Job summary

Cancer Research UK offers a 52-week placement at the Babraham Research Campus in Cambridge, focusing on mechanistic pharmacology. The lab-based role provides hands-on experience with in vitro techniques and drug discovery processes.

The successful candidate will contribute to data analysis, presentation of results, and collaboration within the Mechanistic Pharmacology team. The placement requires you to be in your second year of an undergraduate science degree, with 3 A levels at grade B or

Qualifications

• Completed at least one year of an undergraduate course, ideally in biological sciences.
• You should be in your 2nd year and study a science-related degree; graduates/PhD candidates not considered.
• You should have 3 A levels (or equivalent) grade B and above, preferably in a biological science.

Responsibilities

• Conduct research in an assigned area under supervision with established methods.
• Exercise technical judgement in experiments and interpretation of results.
• Perform analysis of data and develop hypotheses.
• Maintain health, safety and COSHH compliance in the lab.
• Provide verbal and written reports when required.
• Maintain laboratory notebooks and data to required standards.
• Interact with colleagues across CRH and support the team.

Skills

Effective communication

Team collaboration

Data interpretation

Education

Undergraduate year 2 (biological sciences)

3 A levels grade B or higher

Job description

Student Placement – Mechanistic Pharmacology (Lab based)

Salary: £24,000 plus benefits

Reports to: Scientist (Mechanistic Pharmacology)

Directorate: Research & Innovation

Contract: Fixed-term Contract 52 weeks

Hours: Full-time 35 hours per week

Location: Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge – Lab based

Closing date: Sunday 8th November 23:55pm

Recruitment process: Screening call followed by competency-based interview process.

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.

About The Placement

This placement will contribute to the overarching mission of Cancer Research Horizons to discover novel cancer therapeutics that ultimately benefit patients. The successful applicant will undertake a laboratory-based research project designed to expand the technical capabilities of the Mechanistic Pharmacology team while addressing challenges relevant to drug discovery.

The Mechanistic Pharmacology team plays a vital role in advancing new cancer medicines, generating the data and insights that guide key drug discovery decisions. We apply biochemical, biophysical, and cell-based approaches to understand how targets and compounds behave, develop novel assays, identify and evaluate promising compounds, investigate mechanisms of action, and support the progression of small-molecule discovery projects.

Working alongside experienced Cancer Research Horizons scientists, the successful applicant will gain hands‑on experience of the drug discovery process and develop proficiency in a broad range of in vitro laboratory techniques. They will contribute to meaningful research, analyse and present scientific data, and gain first‑hand insight into how potential new cancer medicines are discovered and progressed towards the clinic.

We have one 52-week placement to offer, with negotiable start dates in September 2027.

What will you be doing?

• Conduct research in an assigned area with efficiency, accuracy and attention to detail under supervision, using established methodology
• Exercise technical judgment in execution of experiments and interpretation of results
• Perform analysis of experimental results and develop hypotheses
• Ask for advice and assistance when necessary
• Maintain awareness of relevant current scientific literature and developments
• Provide verbal and written reports/presentations when required
• Maintain laboratory notebooks and other data to required standards
• Perform all work demonstrating due care and attention to all health and safety and COSHH regulations
• Interact with colleagues in all areas of CRH and provide help and assistance wherever possible

What are we looking for?

Key Skills

• Effective and timely communication of data and progress to your supervisor, and, when required, other members of staff within the Molecular Sciences department or wider project team
• Working effectively with other members of the team and building productive relationships within the department
• Analysis / interpretation of data and pro -actively contributing to experimental design and strategy

Key competencies

• Completion of at least one year of an undergraduate course ideally in biological sciences or equivalent experience
• Computer literate: Microsoft Office programmes including Word and Excel
• Collaborative team player
• Excellent organisational skills
• Integrity and commitment
• Attention to detail and quality driven
• Flexibility and adaptability

Please read the following information carefully before applying

• You must be in your 2nd year of undergraduate study at university. Please note that applications from graduates and PhD students will NOT be considered for this scheme.
• You should expect to receive a 2:1 or grade B in your second-year results in a science related degree.
• You should have 3 A levels (or equivalent) grade B and above (preferably one in a biological science).
• You should be able to commence work in September 2027 (the start date is negotiable).
• You should have the right to live and work in the UK without restriction. We regret that we cannot consider applications from candidates who require a work permit to work in the UK.

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, take positive steps in your career and achieve your personal wellbeing goals.

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

Our vision

We want 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 [e-mail] 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.