Paediatric Oncology / Haematology Drug Development Clinical Fellowship

Our experimental cancer medicine centres (ECMC) paediatric network is looking for applicants for the latest round of our Paediatric Oncology/Haematology Drug Development Clinical Fellowship.

This is an exciting opportunity for doctors in training who are committed to becoming paediatric haematologists or oncologists in the UK. Applicants should have a strong interest in further extending their expertise in drug development.

Read the full job description(PDF, 267 KB)

Our paediatric network brings together clinicians and translational scientists to run early-phase clinical trials for children and young people with cancer across the UK. The network is formed of 12 paediatric phase 1/2 centres, including a centre in Scotland (Glasgow) and a centre in Wales (Cardiff). It functions as a single virtual centre to improve patient recruitment and expand geographical access to novel anticancer agents.

In our current funding cycle, we’re supporting one additional 12-month Paediatric Oncology/ Haematology Drug Development Fellowship.

The fellowship aims to provide the candidate with the opportunity to work in one of our paediatric centres within the oncology and haematology drug development teams to gain exposure to children undergoing participation in early phase trials.

Alongside this clinical exposure, the candidate will have the opportunity to follow a site-prepared educational package specific to the unique site set up or collaboration partners.

The package will include aspects of:

• drug discovery

• preclinical testing

• genomics and personalised medicine

• biomarkers

• pharmacokinetic/pharmacodynamics pharmacogenetic concepts

• trial designs

• protocol development

• regulatory and ethical aspects

The anticipated duration of the clinical training will be 12 months. Fellows will gain experience in early phase trials for solid, central nervous system and haematological malignancies, and will have the opportunity to further develop an area of interest in one of these sub-categories.

The training centres will be responsible for all contractual and employment arrangements with the fellow. Candidates will have a choice of centres which have put themselves forward to host a fellow (read the full job description for the list of centres). We will provide an educational grant to support the fellowship but will hold no legal responsibility for the employment of the fellows.

The fellow will be expected to participate in our Junior Investigator Network Group: Training the Next Generation workshop and in regular network meetings.

Find out more about the workshop

The fellowship is intended for doctors in training who are committed to becoming paediatric haematologists or oncologists in the UK and want to further extend their expertise in drug development. The candidates should be undertaking their paediatric haematology/oncology training, i.e. have a solid understanding of the core principles of paediatric oncology and/or haematology when embarking on this role.

One fellowship will be available to start in March 2027, although earlier start dates may be possible. Please read the full job description below for further information on which centres have put themselves forward to host a fellow in this round.

Download the full job description(PDF, 267 KB)

The salary scale for this 12-month fellowship will be as per the NHS resident doctor salary scale at the chosen centre/region and depending on the individual's level of experience. The expected range in the most expensive region is £69,547-£79,109.

Please send a two-page CV and a letter of intent explaining why you are interested in this fellowship.

To submit an application or for any queries, please contact our programme office - ecmcadmin@cancer.org.uk

Key timelines

• Application deadline is 9 August.

• Shortlisted candidates will be informed by 21 August, with online interviews arranged shortly after.

• Selection will be made no later than mid-September 2026.

For generic and oncology- related enquiries, please contact LynleyVanessa.Marshall@icr.ac.uk

For haematology-related enquiries, please contact Donna.Lancaster@rmh.nhs.uk