Translation Executive

4,000 professionals, 0 days wasted, 1 incredible purpose. Together we are beating cancer.

Translation Executive (Cambridge Region)
£60,000 - £68,000 plus benefits

Reports to: Cambridge Senior Translation Executive
Directorate: Research & Innovation
Contract: 12 month, Fixed-Term contract
Hours: Full-time, 35 hours per week
Location: Homebased, Cambridge (with the expectation for regular travel across your region circa 2/3 days per week).
Closing date: Sunday 1st November 2026
Recruitment process: Initial screening call, followed by a competency-based interview including a case study task.

At Cancer Research UK, we exist to beat cancer.

                                                                                                
Cancer Research Horizons are looking for a Translation Executive to partner with researchers funded by Cancer Research UK to identify and develop research discoveries that can be translated into innovations that will impact the lives of cancer patients. We are looking for a candidate with excellent scientific judgement, aligned with good understanding of technology scouting within an oncology, medical or pharma environment, IP protection and management, as well as technology validation and progression towards the clinic. You will work closely with CRUK-funded researchers and associated technology transfer offices Cambridge Enterprise, meaning that excellent interpersonal, relationship and stakeholder management skills are crucial. 

Cancer Research Horizons (CRH) is the innovation engine of Cancer Research UK (CRUK), translating cutting-edge innovations into effective treatments and diagnostics for cancer patients. With exclusive rights to CRUK’s annual investment of over £300 million in world-class cancer research, we’re a powerful partner in the fight to conquer cancer. We’re currently the second largest oncology out-licensor globally, and to date we’ve played an instrumental role in forming over 60 startup companies with $2.8 billion raised, and bringing 11 new cancer drugs to market, with 6 million doses administered to cancer patients all over the world.

As a Research Translation Executive, you will be responsible for the development and implementation of plans for translation of CRUK funded research at specified key CRUK-funded sites across your region, this role will be focused on the Cambridge region. This will include working with oncology researchers to proactively identify projects and technologies with patient benefit potential, including setting the intellectual property strategy and driving project development by working with a wide variety of internal and external stakeholders.

You will have the opportunity to interact with researchers working on a wide range of scientific and technological areas, including drug discovery/development, biomarkers, diagnostics, medical devices, digital health, and research reagents.

What will you be doing?

• Working with Cambridge Regional Translation Executive to develop S&E strategic initiatives.

• Responsibility for delivery of regional strategic objectives including a Cambridge Cancer Centre or University(s) to support the attainment of overall S&E targets.

• Play an active role as member of R&I regional groupings (CP, Research funding Manager, Institutes & Centres team, Engagement Manager, RBC etc.)

• Accountability for opportunity sourcing and translation of CRUK-funded resource at allocated Institute, Centre or University(s)

• Play an active role in the management and development of regional translational project portfolio.

• Build and maintain strong, integrated relationships with senior management figures and CRUK-funded scientists at your specified major Centre/Institute/University(s)

• Develop a deep understanding of the research landscape at allocated CRUK site(s) and identify increased collaborative and translational funding opportunities to accelerate progress

• With minimal line management input required, provide appropriate technology transfer services and manage intellectual property protection for portfolio projects in a timely manner.

• Work collaboratively with colleagues from other S&E regions to proactively seek collaborative and synergistic interactions.

• Work in collaboration with internal colleagues focused in other CP core function teams to deliver on CP’s overall operations, performance and strategies;

• Contribute to developing and implementing strategy to enhance and grow the entrepreneurial culture across CRUK-funded researchers, to maximise output of CRUK funding 

• Support CP, (including CancerTools) and R&I management with cross department activities as required

• Provide expert translational advice to scientists, major centres and institutions through well-developed communication links

• With minimal line management input required, undertake routine contract negotiation and management for allocated sites in liaison with BD&T and Legal colleagues as required e.g. research collaboration agreements.

What are you looking for?

As job titles vary across organisations, you may currently be working as Senior Translation Manager, Senior Commercialisation Manager or Senior Technology Transfer Manager. Whatever your current job title, you will need to have:

• PhD (or equivalent) in a scientific discipline, ideally in oncology, life sciences, pharma, medicine, or related.

• In-depth experience in translating discovery research and pre-clinical science gained in sectors such as medical technologies, diagnostics, healthcare technologies and pharmaceuticals.  This experience may have been gained in academic technology transfer, industry, healthcare, academia or in non-profit organisations.

• In-depth Knowledge and awareness of oncology drug/technology discovery, IP protection and development and associated science

• Ideally, good working knowledge and experience of the patent filing and prosecution process.

• Experience of research-related contracts including MTAs, CDAs

• Grasping scientific and technical concepts quickly and translating these into commercially viable proposals.

• Working effectively with key stakeholders internally and externally, showing excellent influencing skills and, where appropriate, having tenacity and persistence.

• Deploying excellent interpersonal and communication skills, both verbally and in writing with the ability to build and maintain strong relationships.

• Work collaboratively within cross-functional teams to deliver the scientific, commercial, and operational objectives of the overall function.

• Scientific judgement and project management skills, together with a talent for business acumen and operational delivery.

• Experience of developing and implementing strategic initiatives aimed at maximising collaboration and productivity.

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 recruitment@cancer.org.uk.  

For more updates on our work and careers, follow us on: Linked In, Facebook, Instagram, X and YouTube.

Our vision is to create a charity where everyone feels like they belong, benefits from and participates in, the work we do. We actively encourage applications from people of all backgrounds and cultures, in particular those from ethnic minority backgrounds who are currently under-represented.

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. Please contact recruitment@cancer.org.uk or 020 3469 8400 as soon as possible.

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.

About Us

We’re the world’s leading cancer charity, dedicated to saving and improving lives with our research.

We work to reduce the impact of cancer on people’s day-to-day lives through our research, influence and information.

We are beating cancer – step by step, day by day. Our work means that people with cancer live better lives through earlier diagnosis and kinder, more effective treatments. Find a purposeful career that will empower you to grow and collaborate with like-minded experts.