Postdoctoral Training Fellow in Medicinal Chemistry – Children’s Brain Tumour Centre of Excellence

The Institute of Cancer Research, London, is one of the world’s most influential cancer research institutes, with an outstanding record of achievement dating back more than 100 years. We provided the first convincing evidence that DNA damage is the basic cause of cancer, laying the foundation for the now universally accepted idea that cancer is a genetic disease. Today, The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) leads the world at isolating cancer-related genes and discovering new targeted drugs for personalised cancer treatment.

The Institute of Cancer Research and Cambridge University have established the Cancer Research UK Children’s Brain Tumour Centre of Excellence (CRUK-CBTCE), led by Professor Paul Workman (ICR) and Professor Richard Gilbertson (Cambridge), to accelerate the discovery and development of new therapies for paediatric brain tumours.

A position is available in the Division of Cancer Therapeutics at The Institute of Cancer Research for a postdoctoral scientist to undertake synthetic and medicinal chemistry research, applied to the discovery and optimisation of new small molecule drugs targeting childhood brain tumours.

The successful candidate will apply their synthetic organic chemistry skills and familiarity with medicinal chemistry approaches to design and prepare new molecules of interest as anticancer agents, working in a close, multi-disciplinary collaboration with scientists in the CRUK-CBTCE in London and Cambridge.

The post is located in well-equipped drug discovery laboratories in Sutton, South London, where there is the opportunity to work in close collaboration with world-class drug discovery chemistry, biology and DMPK specialists. Knowledge, experience and achievement in synthetic chemistry, and familiarity with medicinal chemistry approaches, are essential. Familiarity with chemical biology approaches to small molecule target identification would be an advantage. The successful applicant will have opportunities to develop additional skills in post. This is an ideal opportunity for an enthusiastic, committed postdoctoral chemist to make an important contribution to improved therapies for cancer patients, while gaining experience and training in drug discovery skills in an institute with a track record of success.

Appointment will be for 2 years in the first instance. Starting salary on The Institute of Cancer Research PDTF Pay Scale will be dependent on qualifications and experience.

Further information can be found in the job description. Please apply on ICR website, job ref 904