These laboratories are approximately 50 to 70 square metres in size and usually the incoming laboratory head is able to design a bespoke laboratory. Each group comprises six to eight individuals including the laboratory head, postdoctoral research fellows, graduate students and a scientific officer. Consideration for tenure occurs after four to five years and, if successful, the laboratory head is awarded additional funding and space allowing for expansion of the laboratory. In addition there is a smaller programme of translational research fellowships. Applications are considered competitively and all applicants must possess a PhD or equivalent qualification.
Postdoctoral positions are also available in the extra-mural Units.
Additionally there are many postdoctoral research fellows currently working within ICRF laboratories who receive funding from external sources. The ICRF studentships are tenable for three to four years and only candidates who obtain a First or Upper Second Class Honours Degree or equivalent are considered. Similar graduate studentships can be held in the extra-mural Units and Groups. Young motivated clinicians who have a keen interest in clinical research and wishing to study for a PhD, may apply for consideration for a clinical research fellowship. These are available mainly in the extra-mural Units and Groups.