Call for expert peer reviewers

Our work is powered by an exceptional community of over 450 expert peer reviewers who contribute their expertise to our panels and funding committees each year.  

We’re now expanding this community and seeking applications to join our College of Expert Peer Reviewers, supporting four critical expert review panels on:  

• Prevention and population mechanistic insights, immunology and translational research
• Prevention and population epidemiology, trials and behavioural research
• Early detection and diagnosis biology, markers, technology and data research
• Early detection and diagnosis trials, behavioural, health systems and health economics research

Expert Review Panels perform the scientific review of applications submitted to us, providing recommendations to our funding committees within their scientific domains. Each panel meets twice a year virtually, in March and September. The deadline for applications is 6 June 2025.   

Apply now 

This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge cancer research and work alongside world-leading experts in a collaborative environment. As an expert peer reviewer, you’ll help shape decisions on research funding that will impact the future of cancer prevention and early detection. 

You’ll have the chance to:  

• Work with a diverse community of experts across multiple disciplines, including clinical, preclinical, behavioural and health systems research. 

• Gain recognition across the international cancer research community.  

• Gain insight into our peer review process and develop your experience as a peer reviewer. 

• Receive an honorarium (£300 per day, £150 for half-day attendance) for your contributions to each panel meeting. 

We’re looking for early- to mid-career and established clinicians, clinical scientists, academic researchers and industry-based researchers interested in prevention and early detection research.  

Expertise in areas related to our current vacancies is desirable but not essential. You should be an expert in your field, with the breadth of knowledge to contribute to discussions beyond your immediate area of expertise. We welcome international applicants willing to remotely join our UK based panel meetings.   

Eligibility criteria

You should meet the following criteria:  

• strong record of internationally recognised research 

• track record in securing grant funding 

• demonstrable leadership in your field of research 

• ability to provide judgment across a broad spectrum of research and policy issues 

• strong, established profile within the research community 

• experience contributing to peer review processes (with us or other funders); panel interview experience would be a bonus 

• commitment to supporting our principles of research excellence and a positive research culture 

• understanding of the UK research landscape. 

We want to increase diversity on all our expert review panels and encourage applications from under-represented groups, including women and non-binary people, researchers from ethnic minority backgrounds and researchers with disabilities or long-term health conditions.

As a member of our college of expert peer reviewers, you will:  

• Help review and provide written comments on research funding proposals.  

• Discuss your comments, and applicant responses to those, with other internationally respected researchers and clinicians at virtual panel meetings.  

• Commit to up to two days of remote meetings up to twice a year, plus preparation time.   

• Be appointed on an initial three-year term, with the option to renew for a further three years.  

The deadline for applications is 6 June 2025.  

The submission form should take no more than 10-minutes to complete. You will be asked to describe your expertise, your motivation for applying and any previous experience contributing to peer review.  

Applicants will be assessed based on scientific fit and your experience and contributions to the research community.