Student Portfolio Analyst (undergraduate placement scheme)

Cancer Research UK; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 22,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

Cancer Research UK is offering an undergraduate placement as a Student Portfolio Analyst in the Centre for Drug Development (CDD) in Stratford, London. The role involves gathering, analysing and presenting portfolio data to support review and management of early-phase projects, with exposure to resource forecasting and reporting tools.

The 54-week fixed-term placement provides training, mentorship and opportunities to learn portfolio management and data analysis within a world-class clinical

Qualifications

• Pursuing an undergraduate degree in life sciences or related field.
• Interest in drug development, data analysis and visualization.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office suite.
• Understanding of ICH/GCP guidelines is beneficial.

Responsibilities

• Gather, analyse and present information about the portfolio of early-phase drug development projects.
• Support reviews of the portfolio and help develop tools to collect and present data.
• Take minutes and prepare slides for monthly Portfolio Review Team meetings.
• Assist with user account management for Portfolio Management/Dashboard tools.
• Keep portfolio data up to date and prompt project leaders to refresh information.
• Update resource planning models to capture cross-functional forecasts.
• Develop data-visualisation methods for portfolio information and maintain tools.
• Create, update and maintain trackers for portfolio activities and analyses.
• Support change initiatives and deliver relevant training and guidance documents.
• Maintain awareness of Portfolio Management practices and trends in pharma.

Skills

Data analysis

Stakeholder engagement

Teamwork

Attention to detail

Time management

Microsoft Office

Education

Undergraduate Life Sciences

Tools

Dashboard tools

Data visualization tools

Portfolio management software

Job description

Student Portfolio Analyst (undergraduate placement scheme)

Salary: £24,000 plus benefits

Reports to: Portfolio Manager

Directorate: Research & Innovation

Contract: 54 Week, Fixed Term Contract

Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week

Location: Stratford, London Office-based with high flexibility (1-2 days per week in the office)

Closing date: Sunday 8th November 2026

At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer.

Cancer Research UK is looking for a motivated and ambitious undergraduate student to join our Centre for Drug Development (CDD) as a Student Portfolio Analyst. You'll support the management of our drug development portfolio by gathering, analysing and presenting project data, assisting with resource forecasting, and developing reporting and data-visualisation tools. This is an excellent opportunity to gain hands-on experience in portfolio management, data analysis and stakeholder engagement while contributing to life-saving cancer research.

About the placement

The Centre for Drug Development (CDD) at Cancer Research UK consists of a diverse and experienced office-and home-based team who sponsor and manage high-quality early phase clinical trials. We work in collaboration with leading scientists and clinicians around the world to develop effective new anti-cancer treatments.

Here at the CDD, we’re offering a unique opportunity to gain valuable experience and training within a world class clinical research environment. Our placements will provide you with an exciting opportunity to develop key skills, which will help to open doors to future careers within this industry. During this placement year, the chosen candidates will be provided with training, mentorship, and exposure to key roles in drug development and pharmaceutical research.

We have 1 placement to offer, it will last for 54 weeks, with a negotiable start date in July 2027.

What will you be doing?

• Assist with gathering, analysing and presenting information about our portfolio of early-phase drug development projects to support the effective review and management of the CDD portfolio e.g., project goal tracking and reporting.
• Support routine and targeted reviews of the CDD portfolio, creating/updating tools to gather and present information, coordinating provision and internal review of information and organising logistics for the review as needed.
• Support monthly management meetings (Portfolio Review Team, PRT) by writing minutes, preparing slides and performing other activities as needed.
• Assist with user account management for Portfolio Management/Dashboard tools.
• Ensure project information held in Portfolio Management/Dashboard tools are up to date, by reviewing data and prompting Project Leaders to update their project information.
• Update and maintain resource planning models to capture functional group resource forecasting across CDD and to coordinate information gathering across functional groups and project teams.
• Assist with developing data-visualisation methods and tools for CDD portfolio information and maintain up to date information.
• Create, update and maintain models and trackers for the effective delivery of Portfolio activities and analyses.
• Support change initiatives both within Portfolio Management and across CDD including external benchmarking, stakeholder management and development and delivery of relevant training and guidance documents.
• Maintain a broad awareness of Portfolio Management practices and trends in the pharmaceutical sector and wider landscape.
• Create, update and maintain guidance documents for portfolio processes and tools
• Play a supportive role in contributing to and maintaining a cohesive Project and Portfolio Management function.

What are we looking for?

If you’re a motivated life sciences student, with an interest in drug development, data analysis and visualisation, and oncology clinical trials, then this is your opportunity to gain invaluable experience working within the pharmaceutical sector.

• Excellent organisational and interpersonal skills.
• Good teamwork skills.
• A meticulous eye for detail.
• Good time management skills.
• A sound knowledge of Microsoft packages.
• Familiarity with ICH/GCP guidelines is bene

Recruitment process: Competency based interview + an exercise related to the placement.

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.