Student placements
Gain valuable experience and training while developing your scientific or clinical research experience in a supportive world-class research environment.
Student placements: what you can expect
What student placements do you offer?
Our 12 month full-time student placements are for motivated life sciences or chemistry students. We have office-based placements across the Centre for Drug Development (CDD) and lab-based placements within Cancer Research Horizons. Our placements provide the opportunity for you to develop your scientific / clinical research experience in a supportive environment.
Who can apply?
Our student placements are designed for current life sciences or chemistry students whose degree has a placement year. You don't need any previous experience of working or volunteering in the charity sector. The skills and requirements for each stream are listed on the role profile.
When can I apply?
Placement roles are advertised annually in October/November with negotiable start dates between July and September.
How much can I earn?
Our placement students earn a competitive salary of £23,000 per annum plus benefits.
What happens at the end of my placement?
At the end of your placement you'll return to your place of study where you'll continue your life sciences or chemistry degree.
Hear from placement students
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About the Centre for Drug Development
The Centre for Drug Development consists of a diverse and experienced office-based team who sponsor and manage high quality early phase clinical trials. We work in collaboration with leading scientists and clinicians around the UK to develop effective new anti-cancer treatments. You will be provided with training, mentorship, and exposure to key roles in drug development and pharmaceutical research.
Student Portfolio Analyst (SPA)
Assist with gathering, analysing, and presenting project information at the portfolio level to support the effective review and management of Cancer Research UK's CDD portfolio of projects. Support resource forecasting across CDD and developing data visualisation methods and tools for CDD portfolio information. Expand and learn new skills with Excel, PowerPoint and data visualisation software.
Student Medical Writing and Clinical Study Coordinator (SMWCSC)
Provide administrative support to the Medical Writing (MW) and Clinical Study Coordinator (CSC) teams in accordance with Cancer Research UK Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and policies, International Council for Harmonisation (ICH) and Good Clinical Practice (GCP) guidelines and requirements, to facilitate the successful execution of MW and CSC clinical trials related activities.
Student Clinical Study Coordinator (SCSC)
Aid in the development of new cancer therapies by supporting the exploratory, pre-clinical, set-up, monitoring and archiving aspects of clinical trials in accordance with Cancer Research UK Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) and policies, ICH GCP guidelines, UK legislations and other regulatory requirements.
About Cancer Research Horizons
Cancer Research Horizons is an innovation engine built to complement Cancer Research UK’s network of exceptional researchers. We take cutting-edge innovations from the lab bench to the bedside, translating them into effective treatments and diagnostics for cancer patients.
Biosciences Student
Join our Bioscience team at Cancer Research Horizons, Cancer Research UK’s in-house drug discovery engine, to learn in-vitro laboratory techniques and develop a broad understanding of cancer cell biology and its application within oncology drug discovery.
Molecular Sciences Project Student (Protein Biochemistry placement)
Join our Protein Science team at Cancer Research Horizons, Cancer Research UK’s in-house drug discovery engine, to learn how 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.
Computational Chemistry Student
Prosecute a computer-based research work that is designed to expand the Cancer Research Horizon's Computational Chemistry team’s technical capabilities. Apply an understanding of chemistry in developing cheminformatics workflows, working alongside an expert team of computational/medicinal chemists.
Become a Cancer Research UK placement student
Stage 1: Online application
Complete an online application form. Fill out your details, answer 4 eligibility and competency based questions and upload your CV. Please note that in our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion, our application process is anonymised, meaning we will not be able to view your CV until later, so please fill out all required fields even if the information is provided in your CV.
Stage 2: Interview
Successful applicants will be invited to attend a final interview. You will be interviewed by representatives from the department you are applying to, who will ask you competency-based questions relating to the role.
Stage 3: Offer
We will get in touch to make successful applicants an offer. We’ll arrange the induction week for you and other new starters, a diverse and talented cohort, launching their careers with us.
Sometimes, applicants may be unsuccessful in their desired department but have shown qualities of a great intern. We will do our best to match them to another role that suits their interests and skillset.
Contact us
Please contact us if you have any questions or should you require any adjustment due to a disability or a long-term health condition.