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- Tasks: Lead innovative biophysical research to combat cancer and develop new therapies.
- Company: Join Cancer Research UK, the world's largest medical research charity.
- Benefits: Enjoy a competitive salary, generous benefits, and career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Make a real difference in cancer research while working with cutting-edge technologies.
- Qualifications: PhD or relevant experience in biochemistry or pharmacology; expertise in SPR required.
- Other info: Collaborative environment with a focus on inclusivity and personal wellbeing.
The predicted salary is between 34700 - 43300 £ per year.
£41,700 - £51,300 plus benefits
Reports to: Group Leader
Directorate: Research & Innovation
Contract: Permanent
Hours: Full time 35 hours per week
Location: Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge (Lab Based - Low Flex)
Closing date: Sunday 15th February 23:55pm
Recruitment process: Competency-based interview. Interview date: Approximately week commencing 23rd February (TBC)
Overview
At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer. We are seeking an experienced Senior Scientist to provide lab-based scientific leadership and deep technical insight in the design, development, execution, and analysis of SPR experiments. This includes characterising target mechanisms, running fragment screens, generating high-quality SAR/SKR data, and delivering compound mechanism-of-action studies. Your work will play a critical role in shaping decision-making and advancing portfolio objectives.
About Cancer Research Horizons
As the world’s biggest medical research charity, we’ve helped bring eleven new cancer drugs to market. We have developed Cancer Research Horizons (CRH) to drive therapeutic innovation by bringing Cancer Research UK’s established drug discovery teams under one organisation and leadership team. Based at sites in Cambridge, the CRUK Scotland Institute in Glasgow, and Newcastle University, you’ll be joining over 200 staff from both industrial and academic backgrounds, all dedicated to bringing forward the day we cure cancer.
What will you be doing?
- Provide practical scientific leadership to characterise small and large molecules in vitro using a range of biophysical assay technologies, with a particular focus on SPR.
- Drive a strategic focus on detailed kinetic and mechanism of inhibition studies and their translation into the cellular environment.
- Implement innovative ways of working by keeping abreast of cutting-edge biophysical techniques and technologies including, and beyond, SPR, and driving their implementation through building expert external relationships.
- Characterise cancer targets in detail at the molecular level.
- Define biophysical cascades to support characterisation of novel small molecules and antibody therapeutics for oncology targets.
- Ensure delivery of high-quality biophysical compound profiling data.
- Work with external scientific providers including CROs, provide scientific leadership to define and implement best practice for biophysical assays, fragment screens and bespoke mechanism-of-action studies, with established and emerging techniques in biophysics to complement internal capabilities.
- Work collaboratively with multi-disciplinary research teams across Cancer Research Horizons and with external collaborators.
- Represent Cancer Research Horizons at external conferences, and promote our innovative science through publication.
- Interpret and summarise data for presentation to different audiences.
- Communicate effectively, with openness and respect for the opinions of others.
- Prioritise own workload and that of line reports according to project goals and take responsibility for the timely delivery of team objectives.
- Through matrix management, train and mentor others.
- Maintain accurate and up to date electronic laboratory notebook practices to capture external science.
What are we looking for?
- BSc, MSc or PhD in biochemistry or in vitro pharmacology (relevant experience may be substituted for education).
- Significant research experience in an industrial drug discovery; proven expert experience in protein-ligand interactions, including using SPR to impact portfolio projects.
- Detailed understanding of biophysical assays, including SPR, ITC, DSF/TSA, MST, GCI.
- Knowledge and awareness of emerging technologies within the biophysical space.
- Significant experience of assay development for a range of target classes.
- Significant experience of working with and characterising small and large molecules.
- Credible external reputation, as evidenced through publication / presentation at key conferences.
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.
We’re looking for people who can believe in and embody these organisation values and can use them to drive forward progress against our mission to beat cancer.
If you’re interested in applying and excited about working with us but are unsure if you have the right skills and experience, we’d still love to hear from you.
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.
How do I apply?
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 for us to be able to assess you fairly and objectively.
For more information on this career opportunity please visit our website or contact us at recruitment@cancer.org.uk.
For more updates on our work and careers, follow us on: LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.
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. Please contact recruitment@cancer.org.uk or 0 20 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.
Senior Scientist (Biochem & Biophys - SPR) employer: Cancer Research UK (CRUK)
Contact Detail:
Cancer Research UK (CRUK) Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Scientist (Biochem & Biophys - SPR)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in the biochemistry and drug discovery fields. Attend relevant conferences or seminars, and don’t be shy about introducing yourself to potential colleagues at Cancer Research Horizons.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for that competency-based interview! Brush up on your STAR technique (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to showcase your experience with SPR and biophysical assays. We want to hear how you’ve tackled challenges in your previous roles.
✨Tip Number 3
Show off your passion for cancer research! Be ready to discuss how your work aligns with our mission to beat cancer. Share your insights on emerging technologies in biophysics and how they can impact drug discovery.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive about their job search!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Scientist (Biochem & Biophys - SPR)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your CV: Make sure your CV is tailored to the Senior Scientist role. Highlight your experience with SPR and biophysical assays, and don’t forget to showcase any relevant projects that demonstrate your expertise.
Showcase Your Achievements: When filling out the work history section, focus on your achievements rather than just duties. Use specific examples of how your work has impacted drug discovery or contributed to successful projects.
Be Clear and Concise: Keep your application clear and to the point. Use straightforward language and avoid jargon unless it’s relevant to the role. We want to see your skills shine through without any fluff!
Apply Through Our Website: Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way for us to receive your application and ensures you’re considered fairly in our anonymised shortlisting process.
How to prepare for a job interview at Cancer Research UK (CRUK)
✨Know Your Science
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of biophysical assays, especially SPR. Be ready to discuss your previous experiences with protein-ligand interactions and how they relate to the role. This will show that you’re not just familiar with the techniques but can also apply them effectively.
✨Showcase Your Leadership Skills
As a Senior Scientist, you'll need to demonstrate your ability to lead and mentor others. Prepare examples of how you've successfully guided teams or projects in the past, particularly in a lab setting. Highlight your collaborative approach and how you’ve driven innovation in your previous roles.
✨Prepare for Competency Questions
Since the interview will be competency-based, think about specific situations where you've demonstrated key skills like problem-solving, teamwork, and communication. Use the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result) to structure your answers clearly and effectively.
✨Align with Their Values
Cancer Research UK values boldness, credibility, humanity, and collaboration. Reflect on how your personal values align with theirs and be prepared to discuss this during the interview. Showing that you embody these values will help you stand out as a candidate who fits well within their culture.
