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    3. Pharmaceuticals & Science
    4. Protein Biochemistry Placement 2025
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    Cancer Research Horizons – Therapeutic Innovation (CRH-TI) is the in-house Cancer Research UK (CRUK) drug discovery organisation with a principal focus on establishing and prosecuting biologically-themed multi-project alliances with industry. Based at the Babraham Research Campus and Granta Park (Cambridge), the Francis Crick Institute (London) and the Beatson Institute (Glasgow), CRH-TI comprises over 200 members of staff from both industrial and academic backgrounds. At CRH-TI we bring together the best minds in basic and clinical cancer research, the rigour and drive of pharmaceutical and biotech companies, and our in-house drug discovery and alliance management capabilities to deliver breakthrough medicines for cancer patients.

    The role

    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 that is designed to expand the Protein Science team’s technical capabilities.

    • To express, purify and characterise recombinant proteins. This will support the production of proteins for screening campaigns, structural biology, and biophysical assay development for characterisation of small molecules.

    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 2025.

    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

    If you’re a motivated life sciences student, with an interest in oncology drug discovery, then this is your opportunity to gain valuable experience working within the pharmaceutical sector.

    We expect you to have excellent organisational and interpersonal skills, good teamwork skills, a keen eye for detail, good time management skills and a sound knowledge of Microsoft packages.

    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 2025 (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.
    • Please ensure your CV is attached with your application, as applications without a CV will not be considered.
    • 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.

    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.

    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: 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 020 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.