About the job

Job summary

We are currently looking for a Higher Scientist – Microbiome to join our Research and Development function within the Science, Research and Innovation group, to work on antimicrobial resistance (AMR) surveillance and diagnosis.

This is a full-time opportunity, on a fixed term contract/internal move or temporary promotion basis until 31st October 2025. The successful candidate is expected to start in post by 1st May 2024. The role will be lab based in South Mimms, Hertfordshire. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas.  

 

Who are we? 

 

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency enhance and improve the health of millions of people every day through the effective regulation of medicines and medical devices, underpinned by science and research.  

The Science, Research and Innovation Group delivers public health impact, world-leading research innovation, and a unique regulatory proposition for patients and users via an ambitious Science Strategy which will balance innovation against sustainability and affordability. It is divided into 6 sub-Groups, Innovation Accelerator, Clinical Investigations and Trials, Research and Development, Standards Lifecycle, Control Testing and Quality Assurance and Health & Safety.

The Microbiome team sits within Diagnostics in the Research and Development function of Science, Research and Innovation.  The group conducts regulatory scientific research on the microbiome, its therapeutic potential, and its limitations, which contributes to the MHRA’s statutory functions in protecting public health. We lead an extensive standardization program, working with the community to generate World Health Organization reference reagents that will harmonise measurement in the microbiome field and support reproducibility and good scientific practice. The group is involved in many international initiatives and is at the forefront of microbiome research and innovation.

Job description

What’s the role?

 

The postholder will work on a grant funded project to develop reference measurement standards for AMR gene detection tools using metagenomic data and support their implementation in AMR surveillance and rapid diagnostics. This project will build on existing knowledge and material, expanding to ESKAPE pathogens utilising both wet and dry bench approaches to validate the new reference materials and identify bias in current methods of analysis. The postholder will support the implementation of this approach in public health and clinical settings, through technical assessment of the different approaches as well as with engagement with the scientific and clinical community and governmental organisations, utilising existing networks and collaborations. A big part of the postholder’s role would be contributing to the preparation of scientific communications, reports, summaries and manuscripts.

 

 

Key responsibilities: 

 

-          To carry out experiments, bioinformatics analysis, and contribute to the scientific programme, working independently as well as collaboratively across the area.

-          To manage effectively their time and tasks, taking initiative and ensuring project deadlines can be met.

-          To communicate scientific advice, the work and findings through presentations, articles, reports and manuscripts.

-          Troubleshoot and optimise methodologies, thinking critically about bias in the results.

 

Person specification

Who are we looking for? 

 

Our successful candidate will: 

-          Have a degree in microbiology or a related biological field, preferably at MSc level, or relevant work experience

-          Be an excellent communicator and enthusiastic about solving public health problems

-          Be able to work independently and as part of a team, taking initiative, providing ideas

-          Have excellent knowledge of microbiology – ideally both using wet and dry lab approaches

-          Be able to work flexibly, identifying areas of improvement

 

If you would like to find out more about this fantastic opportunity, please read our Job Description and Person Specification! 

 

Please note: The job description may not open in some internet browsers. Please use Chrome or Microsoft Edge. If you have any issue viewing the job description, please contact careers@mhra.gov.uk 

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £34,841, Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency contributes £9,407 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

We use the Civil Service Success Profiles to assess our candidates, find out more here. 

 

• Online application form, including a statement of suitability of no more than 750 words, attached as a PDF demonstrating how you meet the person specification. Please ensure all application questions are completed in full; your application may not be considered if any responses are left blank. Our applications are CV blind, and our Hiring Managers will not be able to access your CV when reviewing your application. Please ensure not to include any personal identifying information on your supporting information.
• Interview, which can include questions based on the Behaviour, Experience, Technical and Strengths Success Profiles. 

Applicants are assessed on whether they meet any mandatory requirements as well as the necessary skills and experience for the role. Applications are scored based on the statement of suitability provided. You can view the criteria for this role in the job description.  

 

If you require any disability related adjustments at any point during the process, please contact careers@mhra.gov.uk as soon as possible. 

  

Closing date: 10/03/2024

Shortlisting date: 11/03/2024

Interview date: 18/03/2024

 

If you need assistance applying for this role or have any other questions, please contact careers@mhra.gov.uk 

 

Candidates will be subject to UK immigration requirements as well as Civil Service nationality rules. Further information on whether you are able to apply is available here. 

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check as well as animal rights and pro-life activism checks. People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks.

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant’s details held on the IFD will be refused employment. A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5 year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.

Any move to the MHRA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility here.

 

Successful candidates may be subject to annual Occupational Health reviews dependent on role requirements. If you have any queries, please contact careers@mhra.gov.uk.

 

In accordance with the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles our recruitment and selection processes are underpinned by the requirement of selection for appointment on the basis of merit by a fair and open competition. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should firstly contact Mira Mepa, Head of Recruitment and Operations, Mira.Mepa@mhra.gov.uk.  

 

If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission at: civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk 

 

info@csc.gov.uk 

Civil Service Commission 

Room G/8 

1 Horse Guards Road 

London 

SW1A 2HQ 

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.