About Cancer Research UK
What is Cancer Research UK?
Cancer Research UK (cancerresearchuk.org) is the world's largest independent cancer-research charity. The careers page hero reads: "Join 4,000+ people united by one mission: helping everyone live longer, better lives free from the fear of cancer." The charity is registered in four jurisdictions — England & Wales (1089464), Scotland (SC041666), Isle of Man (1103) and Jersey (247) — and operates as a company limited by guarantee (Reg #4325234).
Funding spans basic discovery science through to clinical trials and prevention research, with deep institutional ties to the Cancer Research UK Scotland Institute (Glasgow), the Babraham Research Campus (Cambridge), and the Francis Crick Institute (London).
Where will I work?
Cancer Research UK's head office is at 2 Redman Place, London E20 1JQ, with a UK-wide retail estate of superstores and high street shops, plus three named research institutes — Glasgow (Switchback Rd, G61 1BD), Cambridge (Babraham Hall, CB22 3AT) and London (1 Midland Road, NW1 1AT). Office-based roles offer a high level of flexibility: "you'll only be required to work from a specific location for one or two days a week on average."
What is the Cancer Research UK team like?
The charity is structured around seven directorates: Chief Operating Office (HR, Finance, General Counsel, Technology), Marketing/Fundraising/Engagement, Philanthropy, Policy/Information/Communications, Research & Innovation, Retail, and Strategy. Four named values shape day-to-day work: Bold (act with ambition, courage and determination), Credible (act with rigour and professionalism), Human (act to have a positive impact on people), and Together (act inclusively and collaboratively). Nine staff networks cover Age Positive, Fertility & Baby Loss, Gender Equality, Grief & Bereavement, Health & Disability, Multi-faith, Parents & Carers, Pride (LGBTQIA+), and Race Equality & Equity. The annual Our Heroes peer-judged awards recognise outstanding colleagues.
Work-Life Balance
Cancer Research UK encourages a genuinely flexible working culture, with options including "home-working, reduced or flexi-hours, job shares, job-splits, compressed and core hours." Annual leave is 25 days plus bank holidays, plus an extra day for Christmas Eve. Employees can swap bank holidays for religious festivals "or simply take time when it suits you," and can buy up to one additional week per year. A defined-contribution Retirement Plan offers employer contributions of up to 12% of salary.
Perks and Benefits
- 25 days holiday + bank holidays + Christmas Eve extra; full flexibility on bank-holiday dates
- Option to buy up to one additional week of annual leave per year
- Pension: up to 12% employer contribution (Retirement Plan)
- Group Income Protection: 50% basic salary for long-term illness
- Group Life Assurance: 4× annual basic salary lump-sum on death in service
- Maternity/Adoption, Shared Parental and Paternity leave + paid dependants' leave for emergencies
- EAP: free counselling, Mental Health First Aiders, online health assessments
- Cycle to Work scheme + interest-free season-ticket loan
- Better Gyms partnership: up to 10% off membership
- Free period products in London and Oxford offices
- Free DSE eye tests + lens contributions
- Apprenticeships across tech, retail, management, data, marketing, fundraising, HR and finance; Leadership Transition Programmes