The London Research Institute conducts comprehensive PhD and Postdoc training programmes, and are supported by highly trained scientific and administrative staff.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I apply?
- What are the possible research areas?
- How long is a Fellowship appointment?
- How are LRI Postdocs funded?
- Are references required?
- I am not from the UK, am I eligible to apply?
- How does the selection process work?
- What is the financial value of the Fellowship?
- Is health insurance provided?
- How will the postdoc training programme help me with my career development?
- What jobs to LRI postdocs go on to do?
How do I apply?
Our Group Leaders welcome enquiries throughout the year, from motivated and outstanding prospective postdocs committed to a scientific career.To make an informal enquiry please email the Research Group Leader(s) that you are interested in directly with a cover letter and CV.
You can find out more about our research by looking at the individual Research Group web pages.In addition, postdoc positions at the LRI are sometimes advertised on the Cancer Research UK website, in www.naturejobs.com, www.jobs.ac.uk, and Job Centre Plus.
What are the possible research areas?
Research at the London Research Institute aims to understand the basic biology behind cancer development and spread. Within the Institute, an interactive, inter-disciplinary faculty is fostered through common research tools, approaches and model organisms, and groups are also connected by interest in three major themes of research. You can find out more about our Research Groups working in these broad areas from the links below.
- Tumours and tissues biology research groups
- Genomic integrity and cell cycle research groups
- Cell regulatory mechanisms research groups
How long is a Fellowship appointment?
LRI postdoctoral fellowships are normally tenable for 4 years. Occasionally, shorter fellowships may be awarded for example when supported by external funding for a specific shorter-term project.
How are LRI Postdocs funded?
Most LRI postdocs are funded by Cancer Research UK. In addition, many of our Postdocs successfully apply for external fellowships from other organisations such as EMBO, the Human Frontier Science Program, the Wellcome Trust, FEBS and the EU via Marie Curie Fellowships. Finally, some postdocs are supported by external grants awarded directly to their Research Group Leader. Your Group Leader will discuss funding with you in the during the selection process.
Are references required?
Yes, references are an important part of the selection process and you will be asked to provide the name of at least two referees.
I am not from the UK, am I eligible to apply?
Yes, the LRI welcomes applications from outside the UK. The LRI has an international culture and the Postdoc community contributes to this diversity.
How does the selection process work?
Candidates will be invited to attend an interview with the recruiting Group Leader and at least two other Group Leaders at the Institute, you may also be asked to give a seminar and meet other members of the lab. However, this stage of the selection process can vary from lab to lab, the recruiting Group Leader will discuss this with you beforehand.
If you are successful at this stage the Group Leader will submit your application to the Institute’s Fellowship Committee, who will normally reach a decision within a couple of weeks.
What is the financial value of the Fellowship?
Postdocs are placed on the LRI postdoc salary scale with automatic annual increments thereafter.
Is health insurance provided?
While you are working in the UK access to the National Health Service is free at the point of service. You make contributions to the National Health Service through your salary on a monthly basis.
How will the postdoc training programme help me with my career development?
The LRI postdoc training programme was developed in consultation with our postdocs, to help them to maximise on their postdoc time at the LRI and prepare themselves for their future careers. The programme starts with a Postdoc Induction and Introduction to the institute's Core Technology Facilities, to help postdocs get up and running as easily as possible. All postdocs give internal seminars, attend the Institute Retreats and Postdoc Retreats, and have access to extensive internal and external seminar programmes.
Other activities available to our postdocs include:
- LRI Core Technology Facilities training.
- Software training.
- Attending scientific conferences and technical courses.
- Participating in the LRI Summer Student Programme, in which postdocs are given training to support them in interviewing, selecting and supervising undergraduate summer students.
- Attending LRI careers talks and workshops, which cover scientific careers in academic research and industry, as well as other career options such as science publishing, policy, communication and administration.
- Joining the LRI 'Postdoc/PI Group' - an informal forum for postdocs preparing to apply for independent scientific positions. The group participates in discussions, workshops and practical sessions that provide advice on giving job seminars, writing research proposals, interview skills, etc.
- Representing the LRI postdocs on various institute committees, for example the Postdoc Consultative Group, Postdoc Retreat Committee, Postdoc Seminars Committee, Scientific Staff Meeting, Fellowship Committee.
In addition, all postdocs will have an annual Postdoc Career Development Review with their Group Leader, to provide structure and focus for their scientific and career development during their time at the LRI and to aid them in their future career.
What jobs do LRI postdocs go on to do?
Most of our postdocs stay in scientific research in academia and industry after leaving the LRI, though some move into other science-related careers. Our alumni often go on to work in other internationally renowned centres including institutes in the United States, Europe and Asia.
| Next destinations of Postdocs who left the LRI between 2006 and 2011 |
