About the job

Job summary

We are currently looking for two Higher Scientists – Pandemic Influenza to join our Research & Development function within the Science, Research & Innovation group.

 

These are full-time opportunities, on a permanent basis. The roles will be lab based in South Mimms, Hertfordshire. Please be aware that these roles 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 proposition 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 Higher Scientists will work in the pandemic team of the Influenza Resource Centre (IRC) within the Research and Development sub-Group of the SR&I Group. The IRC is responsible for the research and development that underpins the selection of influenza candidate vaccine viruses, vaccine potency assay reagents and influenza vaccine control testing.

What’s the role?

The post holders will be part of a team engaged in a variety of activities working proactively with colleagues in the Influenza Resource Centre, other areas of SR&I, the WHO GISRS network and the wider influenza community, key activities will include: development, characterisation and distribution of influenza candidate vaccine viruses (CVVs), the development of influenza potency reagents, and provision of data for World Health Organisation Vaccine Composition Meetings (VCMs).

The post holders will work with a wide range of influenza viruses, including those of pandemic potential: this will involve working at containment levels 2 and 3 and SAPO4 and working with animal models.

Security Clearance must be obtained for this position, which requires 5 years UK residency.

Job description

Key responsibilities: 

 

• Perform a wide variety of laboratory techniques including: propagation of influenza viruses on various substrates at different scales; evaluation of potency reagents to support the biological standardisation for influenza candidate vaccine viruses; there is an absolute requirement to work with embryonated avian eggs and animal-derived materials; and contribute to serological studies;

 

• Generate Candidate Vaccine Viruses and perform genetic and antigenic characterization through a variety of molecular biology and serology techniques. Analyse and interpret complex data sets, keeping accurate records; actively communicate findings through written reports, scientific publications and delivery of scientific presentations in relevant fora;

 

• Apply an excellent understanding of the health and safety regulatory requirements as relating to working with influenza and working at high biocontainment; Deliver activities under appropriate quality, Home Office and Health and Safety governance systems where relevant; maintain professional and productive relationships with external stakeholders (including industry, academia, government departments, regulatory agencies etc.) to facilitate research collaborations, contract testing services and management of products;

 

• Contribute to management of the laboratory, documentation (including health and safety and quality management system documentation) and laboratory equipment, and ensure stocks of reagents and consumables are maintained.

Person specification

Who are we looking for? 

 

Our successful candidates will have: 

• A BSc degree in a relevant scientific discipline
• Experience and knowledge of safe working at biocontainment (CL3/CL4 experience is desirable)
• Practical experience in one or more of: mammalian and bacterial cell culture, virus propagation and titration, neutralisation assays, serological assays, or molecular biology techniques

They will also be able to demonstrate the following Civil Service Behaviours:

• Working Together: Encourage joined up team work within own team and across other groups. Establish professional relationships with a range of stakeholders
• Communicating and Influencing -Communicate in a straightforward, honest and engaging manner, choosing appropriate styles to maximise understanding and impact by sharing information as appropriate.
• Disciplined: You follow processes, operating firmly within set standards, rules and guidelines.
• Team Player: You work well as part of a team and strive to ensure the team pulls together and is effective.

 

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

The selection process: 

 

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

 

• Online application form, including questions based on the Behaviour, Experience and Technical Success Profiles. 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.
• Supporting statement of no more than 750 words detailing how your experience and skills demonstrate the Behaviour, Technical and Experience criteria on the person specification
• 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 answers provided- ensure you have read these thoroughly and allow sufficient time. You can view the criteria for this role in the job description. 

 

Use of AI in Job Applications

 

 

Applicants must ensure that anything submitted is factually accurate and truthful. Plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own.

 

 

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: 01 July 2024

Shortlisting date: 02 – 04 July 2024

Interview date: 15 July 2024

 

Candidates will be contacted within a week of the sift and the interviews completed to inform them of the outcome.

 

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.