Postdoctoral Training Fellow - Radiotherapy & Imaging

Salary: Dependent on relevant Postdoctoral experience. Future progression is based on annual performance review.

Duration of Contract: Fixed Term for 4 years.

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

Location: Sutton.

Closing Date: 25/03/2026.

This role is eligible for ICR Sponsorship. If this is your first visa in the UK, support will be provided for costs associated with Visa application. If you are considering relocating to the UK, further information can be found here.

Under the guidance of Prof Oelfke and Dr Simeon Nill, we are seeking to recruit a Postdoctoral Training Fellow to contribute to implementing biological models that incorporate oxygen enhanced MR imaging for patients undergoing radiotherapy for Head and Neck cancer, integrating the biological model into our research treatment planning system and developing optimisation algorithms based on the biological model to perform simulation for dose de-escalation treatment approaches and participating in the development of a prospective study to evaluate the optimal algorithm in a clinical setting. Funding of the post is provided by a CRUK programme of Prof J O’Connor (PI). The focus of this post is on medical radiotherapy physics lead by Prof Oelfke and the Head of Translational Radiotherapy Physics Simeon Nill, PhD.

The successful candidate will play a key role in developing a framework for biological optimisation of treatment plans using oxygen enhanced MR images, supporting the development of a clinical trial to evaluate the impact of oxygen enhanced MR images on Head & Neck patients, maintaining and further improving the currently available tool set for our in-house research treatment planning software, providing evidence (using phantoms and data acquired from patients with oxygen enhanced MR imaging) to demonstrate that the optimised treatment plan can be safely delivered to future patients, mentoring scientific staff, e.g. PhD students and undergraduates, in research projects related to radiotherapy, supporting other team members in their research by engaging with their work and promoting a positive research ethos and publishing the results of the research in peer reviewed journals and present at national and international conferences.

About You
Education and knowledge

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• PhD* in Physics, Engineering, Informatics or a related discipline
  
• Knowledge of radiotherapy physics, treatment planning, programming, relevant experimental methodology
  
• Desirable - Basic understanding of Radiobiology
  

Skills

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• Ability to assimilate relevant information and initiate new areas of research
  
• Coordinating, planning and executing research to a high standard
  
• Good communication skills and the ability to foster collaborative projects
  
• Experience with at least one high level programming language like C or C#
  

Experience

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• Radiotherapy treatment planning and optimisation algorithms
  
• Proven track record of productive research/good publication record
  
• Desirable - Familiarity with radiotherapy treatment workflows
  
• Desirable - Development and application of research software
  

Candidates who are nearing completion of their PhD may apply, but confirmation on awarded PhD is required within 6 months of employment.

The ICR has a workforce agreement stating that Postdoctoral Training Fellows can only be employed for up to 7 years as PDTF at the ICR, providing total postdoctoral experience (including previous employment at this level elsewhere) does not exceed 7 years.

For general information on Postdocs at The ICR, more information can be found here.

Department/Directorate Information

The Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging is investigating new imaging methods to diagnose cancer, and ways in which advances in technology and molecular biology can improve radiation treatment. It is also increasingly concerned with the use of imaging to evaluate the response to treatment in vivo, through techniques measuring aspects of tumour biology. The division includes the Cancer Research UK Radiation Research Centre of Excellence (RadNet), the Centre for Cancer Imaging, and overlaps with the Joint Department of Physics, which spans The Institute of Cancer Research, London, and The Royal Marsden NHS Foundation Trust.

Division of Radiotherapy and Imaging
What We Offer

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• A dynamic and supportive research environment
  
• Access to state-of-the-art facilities and professional development opportunities
  
• Collaboration with leading researchers in the field
  
• 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 Prof Uwe Oelfke ([email protected]) and Simeon Nill ([email protected]).

Why work for us?

As a member of staff, you'll have exclusive access to a range of staff benefits.

The ICR is committed to supporting overseas applicants applying for roles, please click here to find out further information.

The Institute of Cancer Research, London, is one of the world's most influential cancer research institutes, with an outstanding record of achievement dating back more than 100 years. Further information about working at the ICR can be found here.

At the Institute of Cancer Research, we champion diversity as we believe it fuels innovation and drives impactful research. We welcome applicants from all walks of life, valuing diverse perspectives that enrich our work.

Don't let a checklist of qualifications hold you back – if you're passionate about the role, we want to hear from you. Your unique experiences and backgrounds contribute to the richness of our team. We are committed to being an equal opportunity for all, regardless of ethnicity, gender, age, sexual orientation, disability, or any other dimension of diversity. Join us in creating an inclusive environment where everyone's voice is heard and valued.