About the job

Job summary

We are currently looking for a Higher Scientist to join our Polio Laboratory Function within the Science Research and Innovation group. 

 

This is a full-time opportunity, on a 3 year fixed term contract/internal move or temporary promotion basis. The role will be Laboratory 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 consists of 6 sub-Groups, Innovation Accelerator, Clinical Investigations and Trials, Research and Development, Standards Lifecycle, Control Testing/Quality Assurance and Health & Safety. The Vaccines Division is the largest within R&D: consisting of around 70 scientists across 8 Research groups. 

Within the Vaccines Division, The MHRA Polio group is a world leading laboratory with both WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and Research on Poliomyelitis; and WHO Global Specialised Polio Laboratory Network status.  

Job description

What’s the role? 

 

  

The post-holder will work in the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Specialised Polio Laboratory based at MHRA within the Research and Development sub-Group of the SR&I Group. 

 

The role is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation through a Sub-Award with PATH and aims at providing scientific-based guidance to the endgame strategies for the WHO Global Polio Eradication Initiative which includes supporting immunisation programs as well as clinical and environmental surveillance systems for the detection of polio and non-polio enteroviruses. 

 

The post holder will be responsible for undertaking laboratory-based work related to the use and further development and validation of laboratory methods for the characterization of poliovirus strains including vaccines and isolates from surveillance activities with a particular focus on establishing new molecular assays and reference standards for the quality control of current and new polio vaccines that will hopefully replace tests using animals. 

 

Key responsibilities:  

 

• Conduct research and development programs aimed at improving methods and analytical algorithms to detect and characterize polio and non-polio viruses from surveillance activities and strains used in vaccine production. 
• Participate in international collaboration programs for the development of standardised methods and reference standards for laboratory assays.
• Analyse complex data arising from work above and contribute to the preparation of scientific reports and papers using a variety of computer software packages for publication and presentation to other scientists. 
• Engage with national and international external stakeholders, including the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), the World Health Organization (WHO), the European Directorate on Quality of Medicines, US Food and Drug Administration, regulatory agencies, vaccine manufacturers and academic institutes to deliver expert services, training, scientific and technical advice to support the statutory functions.

Person specification

Who are we looking for?  

 

Our successful candidate will have the following:  

• A BSc in a relevant field (MSc desirable), or equivalent experience with evidence of R&D. 
• Practical experience in a wide range of relevant biological laboratory techniques including virus isolation from clinical samples using cell cultures.  
• Sound knowledge of biosafety regulations to work with human and animal infectious samples (HSB 2/3) and ability to work in the physically and mentally demanding environment of a high containment facility following protocols and adhering to safe working practices. 
• Skilled in molecular assays applicable to viral diseases including nucleic acid extraction and sequencing methods.
• Experience with statistical analysis and interpreting results derived from large complex data sets, generating clear reports and scientific manuscripts. 

 

 

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.
• 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 competency-based answers provided - ensure you have read these thoroughly and allow sufficient time. You can view the competencies for this role in the job description. 

 

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: 07 April 2024 

Shortlisting date: 12 April 2024 

Interview date: Between 15 April and 3 May  

 

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.