Group Leader in Cancer Stem Cell Biology

Employer: Institute of Cancer Research

Location: Sutton, London (Greater)

Salary: Competitive

Closing date: 16 February 2026

Discipline: Life Sciences, Stem Cells, Cancer Research

Job Type: Group Leader/Principal Investigator

Organization Type: Academia

Job Details

Key Information

Salary: For Career Faculty, a competitive salary will be determined by the CEO of the ICR.

For Career Development Faculty, salary is based on the Career Development Faculty Scale.

Commencement on the salary range is subject to comparable skills and experience. Future progression is based on annual performance review.

We welcome applications at both the Career Development Faculty and Career Faculty levels.

Duration of Contract: Permanent

Hours per week: 35 hours per week (Full Time)

This role is eligible for ICR Sponsorship. Support will be provided for costs associated with Visa application. If you are considering relocating to the UK, further information can be found here.

Closing date: 16 February 2026

Key Requirements

As part of your online application you will be required to upload your full CV which will pre-populate your application form, you will also be asked to attach the following documents and failure to do so will mean your application cannot be considered on this occasion:

• Lists of major publications, achievements, research grants, distinctions.
• Research plan (five to six pages outlining your current research interests and research programme for the next 5 years)
• A PDF of a maximum of five key publications, or other research outputs (e.g. patents) that best demonstrate previous productivity
• You must also complete the personal statement section of the application form in the format of a covering letter including the names and contact details of three academic referees

Department/Directorate Information:

Cancer Biology Information

The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) in London seeks to appoint a Group Leader in Cancer Stem Cell Biology to play a pivotal role in advancing our cutting-edge cancer research. The position will be based in newly-refurbished laboratory and office space at our Sutton campus within the Division of Cancer Biology. We welcome applications at both the Career Development Faculty and Career Faculty levels.

The ICR is one of the world’s most influential cancer research institutions, with an outstanding track record of achievement dating back more than 100 years. In addition to being one of the UK’s leading higher education institutions for research quality and impact, the ICR is consistently ranked among the world’s most successful for industry collaboration. As a member institution of the University of London, we also provide postgraduate higher education of international distinction.

One of the ICR’s key research strategies is to defeat cancer by viewing it as a dynamic ecosystem. We aim to solidify our expertise in the biology of cancer stem cells. The postholder will significantly contribute to understanding the underlying biology of cancer stem cells and how this may be exploited to address key questions in tumour relapse, disease progression and metastasis.

The successful candidate will have a compelling research programme focused on cancer stem cell biology in an area which complements existing disease-specific expertise at the ICR / Royal Marsden NHS trust. Possible areas of research include (but are not restricted to) basic mechanisms of self-renewal and pluripotency, regulation of cancer stem cell fate / differentiation, how they remodel the tumour microenvironment into a supportive niche, targeting treatment resistance of cancer stem cells, and the role of CSCs in driving the metastatic cascade.

Applicants must have an internationally recognised track record of leading research in cancer stem cell biology, demonstrated by high-quality publications and significant funding success. For more junior candidates, an outstanding postdoctoral track record in cancer research, coupled with a compelling research vision in a strategic area of cancer stem cell biology and clear potential to secure competitive external funding, is essential.

If you would like to informally discuss this position, please contact Professor Chris Jones (Chris.Jones@icr.ac.uk), Head of the Division of Cancer Biology at the ICR.