Cancer Research UK
Vice President, Bioscience
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Vice President, Bioscience
Vice President, Bioscience
Reporting to: SVP, Drug Discovery Directorate: Research & Innovation Contract: Permanent Hours: Full-time (35 hours per week) Flexible working arrangements will be considered if they meet business needs.
Location:
- Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge (lab-based)
- CRUK Scotland Institute, Glasgow (with minimum 3 days/week onsite) Regular travel to the second site every 4–6 weeks.
Closing Date: Sunday 12th July 2026, 23:55
Visa sponsorship: Cancer Research UK can consider sponsorship for this role. Prospective candidates should clearly state their eligibility in the application.
About the Role
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Recruitment Process
- Initial telephone screening interview
- On-site face-to-face assessment for successful candidates
At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer. To support this mission, we are seeking a passionate and dedicated scientific leader with extensive experience in pre-clinical drug discovery to join us as Vice President, Bioscience.
As the world’s biggest medical research charity, we have helped bring fourteen new cancer drugs to market. However, there is an urgent need to accelerate the development of more effective treatments for patients.
About the Organisation
Cancer Research Horizons (CRH) is CRUK’s internal translation engine. The established drug discovery teams – operating under a single organisation and leadership team – leverage:
- A world-class cancer biology expertise
- Extensive access to CRUK’s academic research network
- Cutting-edge technology platforms
- Clinical specialist knowledge
This unique combination enables us to:
- Bring new treatments to patients faster
- Challenge and overcome major hurdles in cancer drug development, by embracing novel ideas and taking calculated risks to achieve success.
Over 180 staff (from both industrial and academic backgrounds) work at CRH’s sites in Cambridge, Glasgow (CRUK Scotland Institute), and Newcastle University.
What Will You Be Doing?
Reporting to the SVP, Drug Discovery, you will:
- Set the strategic vision and lead a ~45-strong Bioscience team, driving breakthrough therapies into clinical development
- Influence the wider strategic direction of CRUK Therapeutic Innovation as an integral part of the Leadership Team
- Foster a high-performing oncology biology function, steering projects from early-stage target validation to preclinical candidates with clear clinical positioning
- Champion scientific innovation (including novel modalities), elevate high-impact internal research, and forge strategic external partnerships to advance the portfolio.
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Key Accountabilities
- Define and implement strategic biology priorities that drive drug discovery from target validation to preclinical candidates, ensuring their clinical relevance.
- Serve as a recognised and passionate scientific leader in oncology, representing the department across diverse therapeutic projects and cross-site initiatives, while achieving external influence.
- Utilise a strong professional network to drive innovation and shape future research directions.
- Lead and develop an inclusive and high-functioning bioscience department (~45 colleagues), managing performance effectively.
- Collaborate across teams and sites, ensuring seamless project coordination and stakeholder Baised communication.
- Champion scientific excellence through external publications, presentations, conference participation, and Scientific Advisory Board membership.
- Embed equality and diversity as core principles in all departmental decisions.
What Are We Looking For?
We are seeking a bold and exceptional scientific leader with a proven track record in advancing oncology therapies into clinical development. A candidate should embody the following:
- Proven experience in delivering novel oncology therapies from preclinical discovery to clinical stages.
- Ability to think disruptively, coupled with strategic vision and precision in addressing key gaps within the field.
- Advanced qualifications:
- PhD in Biology, Pharmacology, Biochemistry, or equivalent.
- Industry-focused experience (particularly in pre-clinical oncology drug discovery).
- Track record of innovation across diverse and challenging biological targets.
- Hands-on familiarity with cutting-edge AI technologies in drug discovery (or an active interest in this area).
- Established leadership in oncology, with a strong professional network, publications, and external visibility.
- A history of building and scaling high-performing, diverse teams in matrix environments.
- Expertise in engaging external collaborations (academia and industry) and driving technological innovation.
- Ability to manage complex portfolios, balancing scientific, strategic, financial, and personnel priorities.
Core values the role embodies:
- Bold: Action with ambition, courage and determination.
- Credible: Rigour and professionalism in all work.
- Human: Driving a positive impact on people.
- Together: Inclusive and collaborative collaboration.
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Candidates must align with and embody these principles in their daily work to support Cancer Research UK’s mission.
What Will You Gain?
We foster a dynamic and supportive working environment, with a commensurate suite of benefits and development opportunities:
- Generous benefits package
- Career and personal development support
- State-of-the-art professional tools
- Policies that balance work-life, nurture career expansion, and prioritise personal wellbeing.
Explore the full range of benefits by visiting the Cancer Research UK Careers website.
How to Apply
We maintain an anonymous shortlisting process to ensure equity, diversity, and inclusion.
- CVs are required but screened separately—see below.
- Complete the online application form’s work history section to enable equality in assessment.
For further inquiries: Email – recruitment@cancer.org.uk Phone – +44 20 3469 8400
Contact us early
If you have concerns or need adjustments to apply successfully, reach out to recruitment@cancer.org.uk immediately.
Our Commitment to Inclusivity
At Cancer Research UK, everyone belongs and should feel empowered to contribute meaningfully.
- Active encouragement of applications from underrepresented communities, particularly those from ethnic minority backgrounds.
- A deep belief that a diverse workforce augments our ability to beat cancer faster.
If you’re driven by the mission to save lives from cancer but feel unsure if your background fully matches the criteria, please still apply. We value potential and commitment across the entire process.
Key Requirements Recap
- Minimum age for employment: 18 (a safeguarding policy is adhered to).
- Core equity, diversity, and inclusion champion mindset.
- Must prioritise dh to our vision: a world where 3 out of 4 people live beyond cancer by 2034.
Joining Us
We welcome sharp, bold, and collaborative minds to Cancer Research UK—to continue improving lives through science and innovation.
Discover your next role with us and let’s change lives together. Visit our careers website, follow us for updates on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, X, and YouTube.*
By initiating dialogue with us early, we can address any concerns that may arise during your application journey.
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