Curestarter careers

We are a small charity with immense ambition - to stop cancer by starting new cures worldwide. And we need you to make that happen!

Do you want to join us and become a Curestarter?

1 in 2 people in the UK will be diagnosed with cancer in their lifetime. That is why we vow to keep funding more lifesaving research projects into any type of cancer, anywhere in the world. We will not stop until cancer does.

Worldwide Cancer Research team standing and laughing

We work hard to ensure Worldwide Cancer Research is an equal, diverse and inclusive organisation – where everyone can be themselves and valued.

We make every effort to ensure our team feels fully supported to fulfil their role without discrimination. We know how important the role of every individual within the charity is in starting new cures - without them, we would not exist.

We are committed to opportunity without barriers and learning from different perspectives and experiences.

We are determined that all applicants and employees receive equitable, fair treatment regardless of gender, sex, age, disability, religion, belief, sexual orientation, marital status or race.

We have pledged to ‘Show the Salary’ for the roles we advertise - because our team members are at the heart of everything we do.

Current Vacancies

Director of Research

Salary: Circa £90,000
Hours: Full time and permanent
Base: Central Edinburgh/Hybrid preferred. Fully remote with regular travel to Edinburgh office is a possibility

See all details here

Curestarter careers

We believe in providing a work-life balance that allows our pioneering and spirited Curestarters to make a real difference whilst having a fulfilling and rewarding time.

Employee benefits

Salary – We regularly benchmark and review our salaries in line with our Remuneration Policy.
Holiday – 31 days’ FTE paid leave a year, plus four public holidays on 24th, 25th December and 1st, 2nd January, or as close as possible.
Pension – Employer contribution of 10% of your annual salary, greater than the statutory minimum of 3%, your contribution is optional.
Maternity, paternity and adoption – Our occupational maternity, paternity and adoption pay are greater than the statutory minimum requirements. We offer coaching sessions on return from leave.
Travel season tickets – We offer interest-free loans to help spread your commuting costs.
Cycle to work scheme – To support your health and sustainable commuting, this is available via salary sacrifice.
Sick pay – We support our team whilst off work unwell, and our sick pay is in excess of the statutory minimum requirement.
Death in service – We will pay three times your annual salary as life assurance to the person you choose.

Wellbeing matters

Health and wellbeing guidance – Creating a workplace and culture that promotes health and wellbeing as its cornerstone.
Carer days – If you're ever needed to help a dependant, planned or unplanned, we offer three paid carer days FTE a year.
Occupational health – We work with external OH professionals to help team members stay in work or return to work.
Employee counselling service – We offer referrals to an independent and confidential counselling service.
Mental health training – Mental health matters. That's why we run regular mental health training across the team.
Employee assistance programme – Every member of our team and their household have access to a free, independent helpline that offers support around finance, mental and physical wellbeing.
Workstation safety and comfort – We run regular display screen equipment check ins for office and home.

Work-life balance

Hybrid working – If you are full time, we ask you to be in the office at least two days a week over our 10am – 3pm core hours.
Two-week fully remote working – You can apply to work fully remotely from a location of your choice for two weeks each year.
Nine-day fortnight –Every second Friday as a stand down day for the team.

Find out more

We welcome applications from all communities to help build an inclusive team, as diverse as the scientific community we fund and the families whose lives we impact. Our people are important to us, and are critical to the success of the charity. Check out our People Plan to find out more.

To find out more about what it is like to be part of Team Worldwide, contact [email protected]

Don't just take our word for it!

We were thrilled to be awarded Employer Brand of the Year at the Marketing Society's annual St Andrew's Day dinner in 2023. We were recognised for our commitment to staff wellbeing and empowering colleagues through person-centred values.

Our recent staff surveys have demonstrated that those working for Worldwide Cancer Research see it as a great place to work, and for this to also be recognised externally is a great reward for our entire team for their continued hard work and commitment.

We have also won Employee Engagement Awards - an award that is given to Agenda Consulting clients that achieve over 80% engagement and over 50% response rate from employees - in 2021, 2022, 2023, and 2024.

We are also accredited as a Disability Confident Committed Employer to show that we are taking action to improve how we recruit, retain and develop disabled people.

We are committed to inclusive and accessible recruitment, promoting vacancies through a range of channels and offering interviews to applicants who have told us of their disability and who meet the criteria for the role. Please contact Paula Cahill, our HR Manager, if you have any questions about our recruitment process, accessibility and adjustments to support you.