200 staff. Limitless Potential. One team. Cancer Research Horizons.
Senior Scientist (Protein Sciences - Small Molecule)
£41,700 - £51,300 plus benefits
Department: Therapeutic Innovation, R&I
Reports to: Principal Scientist
Location: CRUK Scotland Institute, Glasgow with Low flex (Lab Based)
Contract type/hours: Permanent Contract, Full time 35 hours per week
Closing date: Friday 1st May 2026 23:55pm
Interview Date: Approximately week commencing 11th May
Interview process: Competency based interview with task/presentation
At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer.
We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Scientist in Protein Sciences to join Cancer Research Horizons in our Glasgow lab. You’ll lead the expression, purification and QC of protein antigens and related molecules (small molecule drug discovery focus), all of which play a critical role in driving our screening and crystallography programmes.
Working primarily across bacterial and insect systems, you’ll deliver high quality, well characterised proteins using a range of biochemical and biophysical methods. You’ll collaborate closely with multidisciplinary drug discovery teams, communicate insights clearly, drive strategic decisions, innovate across the existing pipeline, bring strong scientific leadership the team, and help ensure a safe, efficient lab environment. You’ll collaborate closely with multi‑disciplinary teams, communicate insights clearly, maintain high‑quality electronic records and help ensure a safe, efficient lab environment.
We’re looking for candidates with a PhD (or equivalent experience) in Molecular/Protein Sciences, Chemistry with substantial drug discovery experience, with strong protein production and molecular biology expertise. This is a high impact role that advances our discoveries. If you're adaptable, driven, and ready to make a scientific impact, this is your chance to contribute. Every role at CRH is united by a single mission: beating cancer sooner. We carry out work that matters - impacting patients, families, and the future of science.‑discovery experience, with strong molecular biology, protein purification‑based expertise.
About Cancer Research Horizons
As the world’s biggest medical research charity, we’ve helped bring eleven new cancer drugs to market. However, there is still an urgent need to bring more effective treatments to patients faster.
We have recently developed a new approach to driving therapeutic innovation through the creation of Cancer Research Horizons (CRH). We have brought together Cancer Research UK’s established drug discovery teams under one organisation and leadership team, combining our unique pipeline of cancer biology expertise and access to CRUK’s world-class academic network, cutting edge technology platforms and clinical expertise to 1) Bring new treatments to patients faster and 2) Tackle the biggest challenges in discovering cancer drugs by seeking out more radical ideas and embracing risk in our bid to achieve success.
Based at sites in Cambridge, the CRUK Scotland Institute in Glasgow, and Newcastle University, you’ll be joining over 200 staff from both industrial and academic backgrounds, all dedicated to bringing forward the day we cure cancer.
What will you be doing?
Expression and purification of recombinant proteins using bacterial and insect systems to support screening and crystallography programmes
Ensure all production is sufficiently characterised and QC’d using appropriate biochemical and biophysical methods
Interpret, analyse and clearly summarise data for presentation to varied audiences
Work collaboratively within multi‑disciplinary research teams
Communicate effectively, demonstrating openness and respect for others’ perspectives
Prioritise workload according to project objectives and take responsibility for timely delivery
Drive scientific and technical innovation, including through internal and external collaborations, while staying current with developments in the field
Maintain accurate and up‑to‑date electronic laboratory notebook records
Take responsibility for assigned laboratory equipment and associated duties
Uphold safe, compliant and effective working practices
What are we looking for?
PhD or equivalent in Molecular Sciences, Protein Sciences, Chemistry or significant experience within a drug discovery environment
Significant experience in providing protein production & molecular biology expertise to enable drug discovery projects
Ability to work in a fast-paced, quickly changing environment, showing agility/flexibility to meet deadlines and goals with a can-do attitude
Use of current molecular biology techniques (PCR, cloning) to construct expression vectors and isolate genes
Purification of tagged and native proteins via manual, AKTA and automated purification platforms using a range of chromatographic techniques
Protein analytical techniques – e.g. protein quantitation assays, SDS-PAGE analysis, HPLC, Western Blotting and protein modifications e.g. biotinylation
Track record of delivering results across a diverse project portfolio by leading and driving strategic and scientific initiatives
Our organisation values are designed to guide all that we do.
Bold: Act with ambition, courage and determination
Credible: Act with rigour and professionalism
Human: Act to have a positive impact on people
Together: Act inclusively and collaboratively
We’re looking for people who can believe in and embody these organisation values and can use them to drive forward progress against our mission to beat cancer.
If you’re interested in applying and excited about working with us but are unsure if you have the right skills and experience, we’d still love to hear from you.
What will I gain?
We create a working environment that supports your wellbeing and provide a generous benefits package, a wide range of career and personal development opportunities and high-quality tools. Our policies and processes enable you to improve your work-life balance, take positive steps in your career and achieve your personal wellbeing goals.
You can explore our benefits by visiting our careers web page.
How do I apply?
We operate an anonymised shortlisting process in our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. CVs are required for all applications; but we won’t be able to view them until we invite you for an interview. Instead, we ask you to complete the work history section of the online application form for us to be able to assess you fairly and objectively.
For more information on this career opportunity please visit our website or contact us at [email protected].
For more updates on our work and careers, follow us on: Linked In, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.
There’s a place for everyone at Cancer Research UK. Our vision is to create a charity where everyone feels like they belong, benefits from and participates in, the work we do. We're committed to creating an inclusive culture where everyone can be themselves and reach their full potential.
We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, in particular those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently under-represented, and believe that a diverse workforce will help us to beat cancer sooner.
If you’re interested in applying and excited about working with us but are unsure if you have the right skills and experience we’d still love to hear from you. We don’t expect everyone to meet all of the criteria listed.
We want to see every candidate performing at their best throughout the job application process, interview process and whilst at work. We therefore ask you to inform us of any concerns you have or any adjustments you might need to enable this to happen by emailing us at [email protected].
Unfortunately, we are unable to recruit anyone below the age of 18, so that we can protect young people from health & safety and safeguarding risks.
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What We Do
Cancer Research UK is the world's leading cancer charity dedicated to saving lives through research, influence and information. Nearly one in two of us will get cancer in our lifetime, but we’re finding new ways to outsmart it, so that more people can live longer, better lives free from the fear of cancer. We carry out scientific research to help prevent, diagnose and treat cancer and our groundbreaking work, funded almost entirely by the general public, will ensure that millions more people survive. Together we are beating cancer. Registered charity No. 1089464
