Cancer Research UK

Who we are

At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer.

'Beating' cancer involves discovering how and why it develops and evolves, then using that knowledge to find ways to prevent people developing it, detect it earlier when they do and offer them cutting-edge treatments. We strive to ensure everyone shares in this progress equally, no matter who they are, where they live, or what type of cancer they have.

We are beating cancer every day. But we need to go much further and much faster. And research offers hope – with new ideas, tools, and technologies to unravel cancer's complexity that were unimaginable just a few years ago.

With a team of 4,000 dedicated employees, each and every one of us contributes to our progress, so whatever team you join, you'll have a part to play in our mission to save lives.

Working at Cancer Research UK

Each and every one of our employees contributes to our progress and every ounce of effort you put in will be supporting our work to beat cancer. We think that's impressive. In return, we make sure you are supported by high quality tools, policies and processes to enable you to do your job well.

Flexible Working Culture

Flexible working: We encourage a flexible working culture, including options such as home-working, reduced or flexi-hours, job shares, job-splits, compressed and core hours. We believe that flexibility enables you to do your best work while maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

Optional 4-day work week: Choose to work a 4-day week at 80% salary, or compress your full-time hours into fewer days at 100% salary – giving you the freedom to structure your working week in a way that suits your life.

Very flexible working hours: We trust you to manage your time effectively and offer flexibility around when and where you work.

Remote working opportunities: Many of our roles offer the option to work remotely, either full-time or as part of a hybrid arrangement.

Health & Wellbeing Support

Health & Wellbeing: Health and wellbeing are important to us. Our occupational health and mental wellbeing support are accompanied by online health assessment tools, ensuring you have access to the resources you need to stay healthy and balanced.

Income Protection and Life Assurance: We provide all staff with free insurance policies, paying 50% of your salary if you are unable to work through illness, and up to 4 times your salary for your beneficiaries should the unthinkable happen and you die while in our employment.

Time Off & Leave

Annual Leave: For the majority of our roles we offer 25 days holiday a year plus bank holidays, and an extra day for Christmas Eve. You can choose to use the religious bank holidays flexibly, allowing you to celebrate the occasions that matter most to you.

Financial Benefits

Pension: Our Retirement Plan is worth up to 12% of salary and offers all employees a flexible way to build a pension fund, no matter which stage of your career you're at.

UK-wide savings: Our staff have access to a wide range of discounts, benefits and cashback deals to support you with your financial wellbeing, through our Rewards platform.

Our commitment to you

At Cancer Research UK, work-life balance isn't just a buzzword – it's a fundamental part of how we operate. We understand that our employees do their best work when they're supported, valued, and able to maintain a healthy balance between their professional and personal lives. That's why we've built our benefits package and working culture around flexibility, wellbeing, and choice.

Join us in our mission to beat cancer, and discover a workplace where your contribution matters and your wellbeing is prioritized.