Higher Scientific Officer

The Institute of Cancer Research; Sutton; On-site; GBP 39,000 - GBP 50,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading cancer research institute in the UK is seeking a Higher Scientific Officer/Research Scientist to support histopathology for research projects. This role involves staining pathology slides, ensuring quality control, and utilizing advanced data analysis techniques. Ideal candidates should have a PhD in a relevant field and experience with histopathological techniques. The role offers a competitive salary, professional development opportunities, and an engaging research environment.

Benefits

Access to state-of-the-art facilities

Professional development opportunities

Collaboration with leading researchers

Competitive salary and pension

Qualifications

• PhD in a relevant biological field is required.
• Knowledge of histopathology, IHC, ISH and mIF staining techniques.
• Experience with image and data analysis software essential.

Responsibilities

• Support histopathology for a range of research projects.
• Staining pathology slides using manual and automated methods.
• Maintain a high level of QA/QC for image quality.

Skills

Knowledge of cancer and molecular biology

Experience with IHC/IF

Experience with image and data analysis software

Experience working with microscopy

Education

PhD in Biological Sciences/Cancer Biology/Molecular Biology/Molecular Pathology

Tools

HALO

Visiopharm

QuPath

Leica Bond 3 Automated Slide Stainers

Ventana Discovery Ultra

Akoya PhenoImager HT

Hamamatsu NanoZoomer

Job description

Higher Scientific Officer/Research Scientist

Key Information

Salary: £39,805 - £49,023. Commencement on the salary range is subject to comparable skills and experience.

Reporting to: Dr Tom Lund

Duration of Contract: Fixed Term for 12 months or until 31st March 2027, with the possibility of an extension.

Hours per week: 35 hours per week (Full Time)

Location: Sutton

Closing Date: 11 February 2026

The role is to support all aspects of histopathology related to a range of research projects in our established, advanced translational research laboratory in the field of complex (IHC/RNA-ISH/mIF) tissue hybridisation technologies. The post holder will work alongside a team of Biomedical Scientists, Research Scientists/HSOs and a Senior Scientific Officer (SSO). The responsibilities may include, but are not limited to:

• Staining of pathology slides using manual and automated methodologies
• Scanning of pathology slides stained using methods such as HE, IHC, mIF
• Maintaining a high level of QA/QC of image quality
• Annotation and analysis of pathology images and data using analysis software (e.g., HALO, Visiopharm, QuPath) as well as IPU-developed tools

The role offers the opportunity to work within a multidisciplinary group, including clinical, scientific, and computational staff whose remit is to offer advanced pathology solutions to clinical research. The post holder will be required to prepare sections for pathology and molecular analysis, perform multiplex immunofluorescent immunohistochemistry with automated slide staining platforms (Leica Bond 3 Automated Slide Stainers and Ventana Discovery Ultra), be responsible for clinical trial sample audit tracking, use digital slide scanners (Akoya PhenoImager HT and Hamamatsu NanoZoomer) to a high QC level required for AI research, and perform data analysis as well as general lab management duties.

About you

The successful candidate must have:

• PhD in Biological Sciences/Cancer Biology/Molecular Biology/Molecular Pathology or related subject
• Knowledge of cancer and molecular biology, as well as histopathology, IHC, ISH and mIF staining techniques and their analysis
• Experience with IHC/IF and QA/QC for these assays
• Experience with image and data analysis software
• Experience working with microscopy, digital image capture, immunohistochemistry and molecular pathology methods

Department/Directorate Information

Headed by Prof Manuel Salto-Tellez, and led by Dr Tom Lund, the IPU is a tissue-based laboratory with the mission to develop complex and highly quantitative approaches to tissue analysis (wet lab and in-silico) in translational and clinical research, applicable in the context of clinical trials and adoption into diagnostic applications.

The IPU uses state-of-the-art tissue-based profiling such as single-plex immunohistochemistry, RNA in situ hybridization, IHC/Immunofluorescence multiplexing and spatial transcriptomics and proteomics, together with multi-scan imaging and digital pathology/artificial intelligence biomarker quantitation. This approach is applied to well-curated cancer sample cohorts to explore biomarker relevance and identify the best quantitative delivery of biomarker analysis. The Integrated Pathology Unit works with other programmes in ICR and RMH and serves as a go-between for academia, healthcare, and industry. The work involves identification of biomarkers of clinical relevance, clinical validation of molecular pathways, and the technical capacity to work with large clinical and clinical-trial cohorts, including tissue microarray construction and IHC/RNA-ISH/mIF testing, complemented with experience in open source and off-the-shelf tools for computational pathology analysis. The IPU is based in the Centre for Molecular Pathology on the Sutton site of The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust.

• A dynamic and supportive research environment
• Access to state-of-the-art facilities and professional development opportunities
• Collaboration with leading researchers
• 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 Tom Lund or Dr Marta Vergnanovia at the email addresses provided.

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.

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The Institute of Cancer Research, London, is one of the world\'s most influential cancer research institutes with an extensive history. Further information about working at the ICR can be found here.

We look forward to receiving applications from all candidates. We particularly welcome British applicants from Black and ethnic minority backgrounds, as they are under-represented in ICR and STEM roles.