Salary: For Career Faculty the post-holder’s salary will be determined by the CEO of the ICR.
For Career Development Faculty appointments are made at £66,092 in the first instance.
Duration of Contract: For Career Faculty Non time limited
For Career Development Faculty 6 Year Fixed Term
Hours per week: 35 hours per week (Full Time)
Closing Date: 4th September 2026
This appointment can be at Career Faculty (Permanent) or Career Development Faculty (Fixed Term). Appointments will be made at the appropriate academic level, commensurate with qualifications, experience and achievements.
This role is eligible for ICR Sponsorship. If this is your first visa in the UK, support will be provided for costs associated with Visa application. If you are considering relocating to the UK, further information can be found here.
The Institute of Cancer Research (ICR) and The Royal Marsden Hospital (RMH) invite applications for a Group Leader in Cancer Health Data Sciences. This is an exceptional opportunity for an outstanding researcher to establish an independent, internationally recognised research programme at the interface of cancer research, data science and artificial intelligence.
The successful candidate will develop innovative approaches to analyse and integrate large-scale, multimodal health data to advance cancer prevention, early detection, diagnosis, treatment stratification and therapeutic response. They will have access to an unrivalled clinical and research environment through the ICR–RMH partnership, including electronic health records, imaging, genomics and molecular profiling data generated through routine clinical care, clinical trials and epidemiological studies, as well as local and national health datasets.
The appointment is intended to strengthen and complement existing expertise across clinical research, epidemiology, computational biology, imaging and genomics. We are seeking an ambitious and collaborative researcher with strong quantitative and computational skills, extensive experience in the analysis of complex health data, and a track record of delivering innovative research with translational impact.
The post will be based within the Division of Cancer Genetics and Epidemiology at the ICR and will include an honorary appointment at The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust. In addition to leading an independent research programme, the successful candidate will contribute to the strategic development of cancer health data science across both institutions. This will include opportunities to engage with initiatives supported through the NIHR Biomedical Research Centre (BRC), alongside other institutional, charitable and externally funded programmes.
The appointee will be expected to develop a strong externally funded research portfolio aligned with their scientific vision and to build productive collaborations across the ICR, RMH and the wider national and international cancer research community.
The successful candidate must have:
- PhD (or equivalent) in relevant quantitative discipline (including, but not limited to, data science, epidemiology, biostatistics, health informatics, computer
- Strong foundation in quantitative methods and applied analytics.
- Strong understanding of data governance, privacy, and ethical considerations in health data science and AI.
- Strong programming and analytical skills (e.g., Python, R, SQL, JavaScript) and familiarity with modern data-science workflows.
As part of your online application you will be required to upload your full CV which will pre-populate your application form, you will also be asked to attach the following documents and failure to do so will mean your application cannot be considered on this occasion:
Lists of major publications, achievements, research grants, distinctions.
Research plan (five to six pages outlining your current research interests and research programme for the next 5 years)
A PDF of a maximum of five key publications, or other research outputs (e.g. patents) that best demonstrate previous productivity
You must also complete the personal statement section of the application form in the format of a covering letter including the names and contact details of three academic referees
Department/Directorate Information:
Please find out more about our Genetics and Epidemiology division here.
We encourage all applicants to access the job pack attached for more detailed information regarding this role. For an informal discussion regarding the role, please contact Professor Richard Houlston [email protected] or Professor Montse Garcia-Closas via [email protected].
Why work for us?
As a member of staff, you'll have exclusive access to a range of staff benefits.
The ICR is committed to supporting overseas applicants applying for roles, please click here to find out further information.
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. Further information about working at the ICR can be found here.
At the Institute of Cancer Research, we champion diversity as we believe it fuels innovation and drives impactful research. We welcome applicants from all walks of life, valuing diverse perspectives that enrich our work.
Don't let a checklist of qualifications hold you back – if you're passionate about the role, we want to hear from you. Your unique experiences and backgrounds contribute to the richness of our team. We are committed to being an equal opportunity for all, regardless of ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, or any other dimension of diversity. Join us in creating an inclusive environment where everyone's voice is heard and valued.
