Cancer Research UK Open Lab Initiative
Join our Open Lab Initiative
If you're looking for new opportunities to exchange ideas and interact more closely with other cancer research groups, then our Open Lab Initiative is for you.
Start connecting and find your ideal research collaboration.
What is the Open Lab Initiative?
The initiative connects research groups with shared interests to spark discussion, stimulate fresh ideas and generate new collaborations. The initiative is open to any research group based in the UK who is undertaking cancer-related research.
By joining the initiative, you will:
- Be part of a growing virtual community of cancer research groups across the UK
- Expand your network by connecting with others in the cancer research community
- Easily find and develop your next research collaboration
- Have access to expert match makers to connect you with like-minded or complementary research groups
Our Open Lab Initiative has:
- Over 300 member groups
- Made over 100 successful matches
- 75% of matched groups meeting quarterly
-
Matched groups that have gone on to share reagents, protocols, models, develop grant proposals and shared PhD students
How do I join?
Step 1: Complete our expression of interest form. This should ideally be completed by your research group's Principal Investigator, but Laboratory Managers and senior postdoctoral researchers, or staff in similar positions, can also sign up.
Step 2: Once approved, you'll be given access to the initiative's SharePoint site where you'll be asked to provide details of your research group’s interests and expertise. You’ll also be asked to select your preferred match type:
Curated
We'll match you to another research group based on mutual interests or complementary expertise.
Wild card
We'll match you at random to another research group.
Open register
You'll be listed anonymously on the Open Register. You can browse the register to select your own match.
Step 3: We’ll put you in contact with your matched research group so you can arrange a convenient time to hold a joint meeting. The format of the meeting is entirely your choice. You could present data, have an open discussion, or present published material in the style of a journal club.
Following your initial match you can return to the matching pool at any time to continue forming new collaborations.
"Participating in the Open Lab Initiative was a useful experience that helped us stay connected with our community. It offers an opportunity to meet other researchers, learn what they do and establish new collaborations at any time and any career stage."
- Francesca Ciccarelli, Group Leader at the Francis Crick Institute
Frequently Asked Questions
If you have any questions about the initiative or how the matching process works, please check out our FAQs.
Contact us
If your question is not in the FAQs or you'd like to get in touch with the Open Lab Initiative Team directly, please email openlab@cancer.org.uk.
Our Open Lab Initiative is run by staff and research volunteers from CRUK, our CRUK Research Centres and the Children's Brain Tumour Centre of Excellence. Visit the Centres webpages to find out more: