Student Portfolio Analyst (undergraduate placement scheme)

Cancer Research UK; London Borough of Newham; Hybrid; GBP 22,000 - 26,000; Full time

Job summary

Cancer Research UK is offering an undergraduate placement for a Student Portfolio Analyst in London. The role supports the Centre for Drug Development portfolio through data gathering, analysis and tool development for early-phase drug projects.

The 54‑week placement starts July 2027, with hybrid working and a London Stratford location. You will work on portfolio reviews, data visualisation, and training materials while developing skills in project management and pharmaceutical research in a

Qualifications

• Must be in 2nd year undergraduate study (or combined undergrad/Masters) at university.
• Applications from graduates and PhD students will NOT be considered.
• 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 July 2027 (start date negotiable).
• You should have the right to live and work in the UK without restriction.
• Visa sponsorship is not available for this role.
• Familiarity with ICH/GCP guidelines is beneficial but not essential.
• Experience working in an office environment is beneficial but not essential.

Responsibilities

• Assist with gathering, analysing and presenting information about our portfolio of early-phase drug development projects to support 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) 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 is 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 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 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.

Skills

Organisational skills

Interpersonal skills

Teamwork

Time management

Microsoft Office

ICH/GCP familiarity

Office environment experience

Education

Undergraduate 2nd year

3 A levels (B or above) in science

Science-related degree

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

Cancer Research UK is not able to offer visa sponsorship. You must be eligible to work in the UK to apply for this vacancy.

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.

You will also be able to demonstrate:

• 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 beneficial but not essential.


• Experience working in an office environment is beneficial but not essential.

Requirements:

• You must be in your 2nd year of undergraduate study (or combined undergrad/Masters programme) at university.


• 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 July 2027 (the start date is negotiable).


• You should have the right to live and work in the UK without restriction.

Please note that this role is a flexible role (office based with an option to partly work from home), not laboratory based.

Our values

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 and inclusion

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.

Shortlisting process

We operate an anonymised shortlisting process in our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.

CVs are required for all applications; but we won’t be able to view them until we invite you for an interview. Instead, we ask you to complete the work history section of the online application form and answer some screening questions for us to be able to assess you fairly and objectively.