Job Description

Student Placement - Molecular Science (Antibody Discovery) Lab based

23,000 plus benefits

Reports to:

Senior Scientist Protein Science

Directorate:

Research & Innovation

Contract: Fixed Term Contract 52 weeks

Hours:

Full time 35 hours per week

Location:

Babraham Campus, Cambridge - Lab based

Closing date:

02 November 2025 23:55


This vacancy may close earlier if a high volume of applications is received, therefore we strongly recommend that you apply early to avoid disappointment. Please let us know if there is anything about the recruitment process that you would like to discuss, in particular if there are any changes or adjustments that would make it easier for you to apply. Please contact recruitment@cancer.org.uk or 020 3469 8400 as soon as possible.

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.

Recruitment process:

Screening call followed by competency based interview

At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer.

As the world's biggest medical research charity, we've helped bring eleven new cancer drugs to market. However, there is still an urgent need to bring more effective treatments to patients faster.


We have recently developed a new approach to driving therapeutic innovation through the creation of Cancer Research Horizons (CRH). We have brought together Cancer Research UK's established drug discovery teams under one organisation and leadership team, combining our unique pipeline of cancer biology expertise and access to CRUK's world-class academic network, cutting edge technology platforms and clinical expertise to 1) bring new treatments to patients faster and 2) tackle the biggest challenges in discovering cancer drugs by seeking out more radical ideas and embracing risk in our bid to achieve success.


Based at sites in Cambridge, the CRUK Scotland Institute in Glasgow, the Francis Crick Institute in London, and Newcastle University, Cancer Research Horizons employs ~200 staff from both industrial and academic backgrounds.

About the placement

This placement will aim to support the overarching objective of Cancer Research Horizons to discover novel cancer therapeutic agents that will ultimately provide patient benefit. This will involve the prosecution of a laboratory-based project designed to expand the Antibody Discovery team's technical capabilities.


To enhance our ability to identify novel therapeutic antibodies. This will support core elements of antibody drug discovery including library screening, protein production and target assessment as required.
Working alongside experienced Cancer Research Horizons scientists the successful applicant will learn about the drug discovery process and become proficient in performing a range of in vitro experimental techniques.


We have one 52-week placement to offer, with negotiable start dates in September 2026

What will I be doing?

-------------------------

Conduct research in an assigned area with efficiency, accuracy and attention to detail under supervision, using established methodology Exercise technical judgment in execution of experiments and interpretation of results Perform analysis of experimental results and develop hypotheses Ask for advice and assistance when necessary Maintain awareness of relevant current scientific literature and developments Provide verbal and written reports/presentations when required Maintain laboratory notebooks and other data to required standards Perform all work demonstrating due care and attention to all health and safety and COSHH regulations Interact with colleagues in all areas of CRH and provide help and assistance wherever possible

What are you looking for?

-----------------------------

To be successful in this role you will be able to demonstrate:


Effective and timely communication of data and progress to your supervisor, and, when required, other members of staff within the Molecular Sciences department or wider project team The ability to work effectively with other members of the team and building productive relationships within the department Effective analysis / interpretation of data and pro-actively contributing to experimental design and strategy The ability to organise and plan your daily tasks. Attention to detail

Please read the following information carefully before applying:

If you would like to apply for the placement student scheme, please ensure that you meet the following criteria before completing your application form:


You must be in your 2nd year of undergraduate study at university. Please note that 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 September 2026 (the start date is negotiable). You should have the right to live and work in the UK without restriction. We regret that we cannot consider applications from candidates who require a work permit to work in the UK.

If you meet these requirements, we look forward to receiving your application.

Useful tips for completion of the application form:

Read through the whole form first and draft your answers accordingly. Complete all sections - please do not leave any gaps. Check your spelling and grammar. Be concise and focused in your answers. Take particular care with answering the application questions. As noted below, CVs can only be seen once candidates reach the interview stage. How the questions are answered is a key consideration for who gets invited to interview. And finally, don't forget, it's important that you tell us how you found out about the scheme.
If your application is short listed, you will be invited to attend an Interview (likely to be virtual). This will involve some exercises designed to assess your ability and a competency interview.

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 and answer some screening questions, for us to be able to assess you fairly and objectively.


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.

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 .


For more updates on our work and careers, follow us on: Linked In , 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.