PDTF - Homologous Recombination Defective Cancers ( Profs Chris Lord and Andrew Tutt)
The Institute of Cancer Research
United Kingdom
Research and Science
Skilled Worker
Job posted on September 10, 2025
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Job Description:
Key Information
Salary: Dependent on relevant Postdoctoral experience. Future progression is based on annual performance review.
This role is eligible for ICR Sponsorship. Support will be provided for costs associated with Visa application. If you are considering relocating to the UK, further information can be found here .
Duration of Contract: Fixed Term for 3 years
Hours per week: 35 hours per week (Full Time)
Location: Chelsea
Closing Date: 16 September 2025
Job Details
Under the guidance of Professors Chris Lord and Andrew Tutt, we are seeking to appoint a creative and motivated Postdoctoral Training Fellow to study how drug resistance emerges in homologous recombination defective (HRD) breast cancers and how this could be targeted.
The post would suit a candidate with strong functional genomics and DDR biology experience who has a strong desire to work on solving clinical problems. We strongly encourage researchers with published first author manuscripts from their PhD training period to apply.
About You
The successful candidate must have a PhD in biology, genetics or other associated subjects and a knowledge of cancer biology, experimental genetics and of DNA damage response biology. An understanding of the clinical management of cancers is desirable, as is experience with in vivo models of cancer.
Candidates who are nearing completion of their PhD are encourage to apply, but confirmation of awarded PhD is required within 6 months of employment.
The ICR has a workforce agreement stating that Postdoctoral Training Fellows can only be employed for up to 7 years as PDTF at the ICR, providing total postdoctoral experience (including previous employment at this level elsewhere) does not exceed 7 years.
For general information on Postdocs at The ICR, more information can be found here .
Department/Directorate Information
The Precision Oncology Laboratory , led by Profs. Chris Lord and Andrew Tutt, focuses upon identifying and understanding tumour specific dependencies, such as synthetic lethal effects, as a means to design novel approaches to treating cancer ( Heider et al. Nat Genet. 2025 ). We have made major advances in identifying synthetic lethal interactions involving, for example, PARP inhibitors ( Farmer et al Nature 2005, Edwards et al Nature 2008, Pettitt et al Cancer Discovery 2020, Krastev et al Nature Cell Biol 2022 ), ATR inhibitors ( Williamson et al, Nature Communications 2016 ) and Pol q inhibitors ( Zatreanu et al Nature Comms 2021 ). We unashamably focus on clinical problems such as therapeutic resistance and the development of new targeted therapeutic approaches in cancer and aim to generate pre-clinical information that informs the design and interpretation of clinical trials and the identification of novel targets for drug discovery programmes.
The Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre, within the Division of Breast Cancer Research at the ICR, began 25 years ago and was the first centre in the UK entirely devoted to breast cancer research. Our goal is to advance research into the causes, diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. It is located in state-of-the-art laboratory space, with excellent core facilities and is funded through a long-term renewable programme grant from Breast Cancer Now. The Centre is Directed by Clinician Scientist Professor Andrew Tutt. Professor Chris Lord, a Cancer Biologist is Deputy Director of the Centre. Our Breast Cancer Research Centre was awarded the 2022 AACR Teams Science awarded with our breast cancer clinical partners in the ICR’s CTSU clinical trial unit and Royal Marsden Hospital, and also received recognition in an award to the ICR for the 2024 Queen’s Anniversary Prize for transforming lives through world-leading breast cancer research.
What We Offer
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 Dr Stephen Pettitt via email at [email protected]
About The Institute Of Cancer Research
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.
APPLY NOW
Salary: Dependent on relevant Postdoctoral experience. Future progression is based on annual performance review.
This role is eligible for ICR Sponsorship. Support will be provided for costs associated with Visa application. If you are considering relocating to the UK, further information can be found here .
Duration of Contract: Fixed Term for 3 years
Hours per week: 35 hours per week (Full Time)
Location: Chelsea
Closing Date: 16 September 2025
Job Details
Under the guidance of Professors Chris Lord and Andrew Tutt, we are seeking to appoint a creative and motivated Postdoctoral Training Fellow to study how drug resistance emerges in homologous recombination defective (HRD) breast cancers and how this could be targeted.
The post would suit a candidate with strong functional genomics and DDR biology experience who has a strong desire to work on solving clinical problems. We strongly encourage researchers with published first author manuscripts from their PhD training period to apply.
About You
The successful candidate must have a PhD in biology, genetics or other associated subjects and a knowledge of cancer biology, experimental genetics and of DNA damage response biology. An understanding of the clinical management of cancers is desirable, as is experience with in vivo models of cancer.
Candidates who are nearing completion of their PhD are encourage to apply, but confirmation of awarded PhD is required within 6 months of employment.
The ICR has a workforce agreement stating that Postdoctoral Training Fellows can only be employed for up to 7 years as PDTF at the ICR, providing total postdoctoral experience (including previous employment at this level elsewhere) does not exceed 7 years.
For general information on Postdocs at The ICR, more information can be found here .
Department/Directorate Information
The Precision Oncology Laboratory , led by Profs. Chris Lord and Andrew Tutt, focuses upon identifying and understanding tumour specific dependencies, such as synthetic lethal effects, as a means to design novel approaches to treating cancer ( Heider et al. Nat Genet. 2025 ). We have made major advances in identifying synthetic lethal interactions involving, for example, PARP inhibitors ( Farmer et al Nature 2005, Edwards et al Nature 2008, Pettitt et al Cancer Discovery 2020, Krastev et al Nature Cell Biol 2022 ), ATR inhibitors ( Williamson et al, Nature Communications 2016 ) and Pol q inhibitors ( Zatreanu et al Nature Comms 2021 ). We unashamably focus on clinical problems such as therapeutic resistance and the development of new targeted therapeutic approaches in cancer and aim to generate pre-clinical information that informs the design and interpretation of clinical trials and the identification of novel targets for drug discovery programmes.
The Breast Cancer Now Toby Robins Research Centre, within the Division of Breast Cancer Research at the ICR, began 25 years ago and was the first centre in the UK entirely devoted to breast cancer research. Our goal is to advance research into the causes, diagnosis and treatment of breast cancer. It is located in state-of-the-art laboratory space, with excellent core facilities and is funded through a long-term renewable programme grant from Breast Cancer Now. The Centre is Directed by Clinician Scientist Professor Andrew Tutt. Professor Chris Lord, a Cancer Biologist is Deputy Director of the Centre. Our Breast Cancer Research Centre was awarded the 2022 AACR Teams Science awarded with our breast cancer clinical partners in the ICR’s CTSU clinical trial unit and Royal Marsden Hospital, and also received recognition in an award to the ICR for the 2024 Queen’s Anniversary Prize for transforming lives through world-leading breast cancer research.
What We Offer
- A dynamic and supportive research environment
- Access to state-of-the-art facilities and professional development opportunities
- Collaboration with leading researchers in the field
- Competitive salary and pension
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 Dr Stephen Pettitt via email at [email protected]
About The Institute Of Cancer Research
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.