About the job

Job summary

We are currently looking for an Higher Scientist - Vaccines to join our Research & Development team within the Science, Research & Innovation group.

 

This is a full-time opportunity, on a permanent basis. 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. Within R&D sits the Vaccines team of around 60 scientists in 8 Research groups.

R&D Vaccines staff are responsible for supporting a range of regulatory science research programmes relating to vaccines and biological products. This research focuses on vaccine development and immunology, which in turn underpins the design and development of biological standard materials that support further vaccine studies and quality assessment, and also the development of assays for the quality control of vaccines.

What’s the role?

The post holder will support work in the Tuberculosis research field in understanding TB vaccine protective responses, vaccination strategies and studying pulmonary/extrapulmonary TB pathogenesis. The role encompasses working with in vitro and in vivo models.

Job description

Key responsibilities: 

 

• Tuberculosis research

Supporting the tuberculosis research programme focused on vaccine development, immunological assessment, vaccinology and in particular mucosal immune responses. Develop technologies and assays to underpin research relevant to the outcome of the studies. These will include developing and applying immunological expertise, in particular flow cytometry, as well as microbiology techniques. Utilise both in vitro and in vivo models to gain a comprehensive understanding of tuberculosis pathogenesis and TB vaccine efficacy.

 

• General maintenance and containment procurement:

Effectively engage in the smooth running of containment levels 2 & 3 on the day-to-day basis with the team. Oversee and contribute to tasks that ensure the efficient functioning of the containment environment. Take a proactive role in the procurement process, ensuring timely acquisition of necessary items and contribute to the overall organisation of laboratories.

 

• Communication, organisation and time management

Foster effective communication with both internal and external stakeholders, as required and driven by requirements of ongoing research projects. Clearly articulate research findings, project updates, and collaborate with diverse teams to achieve project milestones.

Exhibit organisational prowess by efficiently managing multiple projects concurrently. Prioritise tasks, maintain meticulous records, and ensure seamless coordination between various project components. Demonstrate adept time management to meet project deadlines consistently.

 

• Health and safety (H&S)

Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding of fundamental H&S requirements within containment levels 2 & 3. Stay informed about safety protocols and ensure compliance with established regulations.

Ensure all relevant H&S documents are meticulously in place before initiating any work. Maintain a strong commitment to upholding the highest standards of health and safety in all research activities.

Person specification

Our successful candidate will have: 

• A degree in a relevant field, or equivalent experience.
• Experience in immunological or molecular assays, such as Flow Cytometry, cell based assays, RNA/DNA extractions, PCR etc.
• Knowledge and practical experience of using in vitro or in vivo animal models to evaluate vaccine potency/immunogenicity or safety is desirable
• Experience of managing and processing large complex data sets and maintaining databases of information
• Demonstrated experience of working independently on own initiative and as part of a team.

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 questions based on the Experience 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 to be submitted at application stage, of no more than 1000 words that illustrates how your previous experiences and personal attributes align with the Behaviour, Experience and Technical Success Profile criteria for this role
• 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: 17 June 2024

Shortlisting date: W/C 17 June 2024

Interview date: W/C 8 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.