Student Placement - Medicinal Chemistry (lab based undergraduate placement scheme)

Cancer Research UK; Glasgow; On-site; GBP 22,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

Cancer Research UK is offering a 52-week, lab-based Medicinal Chemistry student placement based in the Glasgow CRUK Scotland Institute. The role focuses on synthesis, purification and analysis of novel small molecules, with opportunities to apply organic synthesis knowledge alongside a team of experienced medicinal chemists.

The successful candidate will be an undergraduate in Chemistry or related field by August 2027, with strong data communication skills and a passion for sustainable chemistry

Qualifications

• Undergraduate student in Chemistry or closely related field who will have completed at least two years by Aug 2027.
• Experience with organic synthesis techniques and lab safety procedures.
• Ability to communicate data and progress clearly to supervisor and team.
• Strong planning, organization and teamwork skills.

Responsibilities

• Synthesize, purify and analyze novel small molecules.
• Apply organic synthesis knowledge in experiments and interpretation of results.
• Maintain up-to-date laboratory notebooks and data.
• Prepare verbal and written reports/presentations as required.
• Support day-to-day lab operations and safety compliance.
• Contribute to design and progression of experiments.

Skills

Communication

Lab safety

Teamwork

Planning & organization

Organic synthesis techniques

Data reporting

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Education

Chemistry-related degree (BSc/MSc/MChem)

Tools

NMR

Column chromatography

Job description

Student Placement - Medicinal Chemistry (Lab based)

Salary: £24,000 plus benefits Reports to: Group Leader (Medicinal Chemistry) Directorate: Research & Innovation Contract: 52 week, Fixed Term Contract Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week Location: CRUK Scotland institute, Glasgow (Lab based) Closing date: Sunday 8th November 2026

This vacancy may close earlier if a high volume of applications is received therefore, we strongly recommend that you apply early to avoid disappointment. Please let us know if there is anything about the recruitment process that you would like to discuss, in particular if there are any changes or adjustments that would make it easier for you to apply.

Recruitment process: Screening call + Competency based interview

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.

At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer. 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, Cancer Research Horizons employs ~180 staff from both industrial and academic backgrounds.

In this role you will support the overarching objective of CRH-TI to discover novel cancer therapeutic agents that will ultimately provide patient benefit. This will involve the prosecution of a laboratory-based project that is designed to expand the Medicinal Chemistry team’s technical capabilities. The successful candidate will join the Medicinal Chemistry team and will have an opportunity to apply their understanding of organic synthesis in our chemistry labs, working alongside an expert team of Medicinal Chemists.

• Development of greener and more sustainable chemistry techniques in our labs, such as electrochemistry and the use of green solvents.
• Route development and synthesis of novel compounds that will add value and diversity to our compound libraries, for use in screening campaigns.

We have 1 x 52-week placement to offer based in Glasgow, with negotiable start dates in September 2027.

What you’ll be doing?

• Synthesis, purification, and analysis of novel small molecules
• Apply organic synthesis knowledge in execution of experiments and interpretation of results
• 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 regulations
• Interact with colleagues in all areas of CRH-TI and provide help and assistance wherever possible
• Contribute to the day-to-day running and responsibilities of the lab
• Participate in, and report to, chemistry group meetings when required
• Show appreciation of the scientific rationale of the project
• Contribute to design of experiments to progress the project

What are we looking for?

• Undergraduate student studying Chemistry, Medicinal Chemistry, Pharmaceutical Chemistry or a closely related chemical science discipline who will have completed at least two years of study by August 2027.
• Ability to provide effective and timely communication of data and progress to your supervisor, and, when required, other members of staff within the chemistry group or wider project team.
• Experience of key organic chemistry techniques Setting up and working up reactions Purification such as column chromatography Analysis (eg. NMR)
• Knowledge of working safely in a lab environment.
• Ability to work effectively with other members of the team and building productive relationships.
• Skills in analysis / interpretation of data and pro-actively contributing to experimental design and strategy.
• Proficiency in organising and planning your daily tasks.

Eligibility

Studying for a chemistry or similar degree (BSc/MSc/MSci/MChem) having successfully completed at least 2 years of study by August 2027. Please note that applications from graduates and PhD students will NOT be considered for this scheme. You should be able to commence work in August / 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.

Values

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, take positive steps in your career and achieve your personal wellbeing goals. You can explore our benefits by visiting our careers web page.

More information

For more information on this career opportunity please visit our website or contact us at [e-mail].

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Diversity & Inclusion

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.

Contact

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.

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.