Deputy Director, Research and Development - £86,000 p.a. + benefits

Job summary

We are currently looking for a Deputy Director, Research and Development to join our Research and Development Function within the Science and Research Group.

This is a full-time opportunity, on a permanent basis. The role will be based in South Mimms, Hertfordshire. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas.

Government departments and agencies are working towards implementing a minimum 60% attendance in office sites.

Security Clearance may be a requirement for this position and requires 5 years UK residency.

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 Group delivers public health impact, world-leading regulatory research innovation, biological standards and medicines control testing. It is divided into 4 Functions, Research and Development, Standards Lifecycle, Control Testing and Quality Assurance and Health & Safety.

The Research & Development function delivers statutory mandated strategically aligned, sustainable and impactful Regulatory Scientific research that is applied primarily to biological reference materials development and medicines control testing and areas of international and national priority for future biological medicines. The Research & Development function develops the scientific knowledge that supports the current excellence in research into biological reference materials, biological activity measurements, product quality testing and standardisation. This is a statutory activity and includes international centres of excellence such as those working on polio, influenza, and the UK Stem Cell Bank.

Job description

• Strategic leadership of function and within the Science and Research Group.

Leadership of the Research & Development function ensuring it continues to deliver the science of each of its component teams in addition to the statutory support of the work of the Standards Lifecycle and Control Testing Teams. Delivery will require the development of key strategic partnerships and the winning of external research contract and grant funding where appropriate.

Member of Science and Research senior leadership team responsible for ensuring cohesive and collaborative working across the group and the wider Agency, supporting the Executive Director of Science and Research and the Chief Medical and Scientific Officer. Lead and implement scientific priorities and change programmes to improve offerings to patients, staff and stakeholders.

• Team Leadership.

Develop and lead the teams that deliver the function’s objectives: Vaccines, Biotherapeutics and Advanced Therapies, Diagnostics, Analytical and Biological Sciences. Act decisively and make bold, unbiased strategic decisions. Remain visible and approachable to all colleagues and stakeholders. Embed a culture of inclusion and equal opportunity.

• Regulatory Science Strategy and leadership.

Accountable for applying their expertise to the Agency Strategic Science plan, laboratory science and standards strategy, aligned with the Agency Strategy. Ensure that research into biological medicines and diagnostics is designed to support across the product lifecycle, new technologies are considered where appropriate, and business targets are delivered.

• International leadership

Enhance the international recognition of the work of the R&D Function and in the context of the wider Group and Agency. Be an advocate for the work of the Function, Group and Agency nationally and internationally.

• Delivery of Team Goals.

Responsibility for ensuring that the Research & Development processes fully integrate with the other teams to deliver statutory functions. Overview of the workloads and allocations to ensure the operational efficiency of the team in maintaining adherence to high level targets and assessment deadlines, through working with the team leads. Responsibility for budget management for the function and for commercial and income generating functions (including, but not limited to, grants and contract activities). Ensuring scientific outputs are communicated effectively.

• Cross-Agency delivery.

Accountable for the scientific outputs of the component teams, ensuring they receive and provide technical expertise and contacts to drive not only R&D targets but also to support the work of the Standards Lifecycle and Control Testing Teams, implementation of the outcomes to optimise operations and deliverables and ensure that the Agency grows its reputation for scientific excellence and public health impact in biological medicines and diagnostics. Working with key teams across the Agency to provide scientific support and ensure the Agency delivers its scientific goals.

Create a sense of purpose for colleagues through highlighting connections between our work and the impact on patients and the public. Inspire colleagues to engage fully with the agency’s vision and strategic goals. Actively promote the reputation of the agency internally and externally.

• Leadership of shared laboratory research infrastructure.

Accountable for the efficient use of shared resources such as the animal facility, biocontainment suites and unique scientific capability so that the needs of the science are balanced with the capabilities of the shared infrastructure to ensure efficient delivery within capacity and controlling surge demands when they occur.

Person specification

• Minimum degree and Ph.D. in a Scientific subject and deep experience relevant to biological standardisation, biologicals, the evaluation of biological materials and medicines

• Practical understanding of the Agency’s biological research with deep knowledge in at least one area of the function, as evidenced by a strong publication record, and an understanding of the system and its processes. An understanding of technologies required for the future of regulatory science R&D.

• Knowledge of the Quality Systems, Health and Safety requirements, and standards under HTA and ASRU relevant to the Research & Development function

• Experience of successfully influencing on behalf of and representing the UK and Agency at national and international levels through building networks and other mechanisms

Qualifications

Minimum degree and Ph.D. in a Scientific subject and deep experience relevant to biological standardisation, biologicals, the evaluation of biological materials and biological medicines.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Leadership
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions
• Changing and Improving

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Minimum degree and Ph.D. in a Scientific subject and deep experience relevant to biological standardisation, biologicals, the evaluation of biological materials and biological medicines.
• Knowledge of regulation and guidance on the quality and safety evaluation in development and use of biological medicines.
• Knowledge of the Quality Systems, Health and Safety requirements, and standards under HTA and ASRU relevant to the Research & Development function.

We only ask for evidence of these technical skills on your application form:

• Minimum degree and Ph.D. in a Scientific subject and deep experience relevant to biological standardisation, biologicals, the evaluation of biological materials and biological medicines.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £86,000, Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency contributes £24,914 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• Annual Leave: 25 days annual leave on entry, rising by one day for each completed year of service to a maximum of 30 days and pro-rata for part-time staff. PLUS 8 bank holidays

• Privilege Leave: 1 day

• Hours of Work: 37 hours (net) per week for full time staff in all geographical locations, including London and pro rata for part-time staff

• Occupational Sick Pay (OSP): One month full pay/one month half pay on entry, rising by one month for each completed year of service to a maximum of six months full pay and six months half pay after five years’ service.

• Mobility: Mobility clause in contracts allowing staff to be mobile across the Civil Service

• Civil Service Pension Scheme. Please see the link for further information http://www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk/ For enquiries relating to the Civil Service Pension Schemes please contact MyCSP's Pension Service Centre directly on 0300 123 6666

• Flexible working to ensure staff maintain a healthy work-life balance

• Interest free season ticket loan or bike loan

• Employee Assistance Services and access to the Civil Service Benevolent Fund

• Eligibility to join Motoring , Boundless by CSMA

• Variety of staff and Civil Service clubs

• On-going learning and development

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.

Key dates

• Closing date – 16 November 2026 at 23:55
• Sifting – from 20 November 2026
• Main panel interviews – from 4 December 2026 (in person)

Communications will be electronic via email therefore it is important that you check your Civil Service Jobs account regularly, as well as your spam/junk email folder.

We’re committed to being diverse and inclusive, so please make your application anonymous by removing all identifying personal information (such as names and dates) from your employment history and personal statement.

What will the process look like?

1. Pre-sift Stage

An initial sift will be conducted on the question which has a word limit of 250 words. If you are assessed as not meeting the required level, you will not be progressed past this stage.

Criteria: "Minimum degree and Ph.D. in a Scientific subject and deep experience relevant to biological standardisation, biologicals, the evaluation of biological materials and medicines." (maximum 250 words)

2. Sift Stage

The main sift, where we'll read and score your application. This may involve a large number of applications, please bear with us as this can take some time.

• Anonymised CV which sets out your career history, previous experience and skills, highlighting specific responsibilities that are relevant for this role.
• Personal statement: Write a 400-word personal statement where you demonstrate how you meet the skills required for this role, providing examples to evidence your level of skill. In your personal statement we are looking for evidence of how you meet the role criteria and person specification. Your personal statement should aim to make use of the full wordcount and show how you meet the above criteria. Please give clear and specific examples of what you have done personally and the impact it has had.
• 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.

The panel will look at your application and are looking for evidence of the stated points. We may raise the benchmark score required if we receive a high number of applications.

In the instance that we receive a high number of applications, we will hold an initial sift based on the lead question of Describe your scientific experience relevant to the role.

3. Main Panel Interview

Successful candidates from the sift stage will be invited to attend an interview. We use a blended interview technique, allowing us to find out more about you. We use the Success Profile framework.

Your interview will include:

• Presentation, to be prepared as part of your interview, with further information being supplied when you reach this stage.

At interview, we will be asking questions relating to the following:

• Behaviours, as listed in the person specification
• Experience, as listed in the person specification
• Technical, as listed in the person specification
• Strengths

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview.

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

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 availablehere.

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.

Certain roles within the MHRA will require post holders to have vaccinations, and in some circumstances, routine health surveillance. These roles include:

• Laboratory-based roles working directly with known pathogens
• Maintenance roles, particularly those required to work in laboratory settings
• Roles that involve visiting other establishments where vaccination is required
• Roles required to travel overseas where specific vaccination may be required.

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.

Individuals appointed on level transfer will retain their existing salary and are responsible for ensuring they fully understand the financial implications of any potential move and the impact (if any) on their terms. If an individual is in any doubt, they should seek clarification before accepting a job offer.

Staff joining on promotion will receive up to a 10% increase of their current basic salary, or the pay band minimum, whichever is the greater.

The individual will not retain any allowances paid by the former department/Agency, unless there are special circumstances, such as a reserved right to those allowances on transfer.

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.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.This role has a minimum assignment duration of 3 years. An assignment duration is the period of time a Senior Civil Servant is expected to remain in the same post to enable them to deliver on the agreed key business outcomes. The assignment duration also supports your career through building your depth of expertise.

As part of accepting this role you will be agreeing to the expected assignment duration set out above. This will not result in a contractual change to your terms and conditions. Please note this is an expectation only, it is not something which is written into your terms and conditions or indeed which the employing organisation or you are bound by. It will depend on your personal circumstances at a particular time and business needs, for example, would not preclude any absence like family friendly leave. It is nonetheless an important expectation, which is why we ask you to confirm you agree to the assignment duration set out above.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) 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.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : The Resourcing Team
• Email : Careers@mhra.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : Careers@mhra.gov.uk

Further information

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 contact the Resourcing team at Careers@mhra.gov.uk, in the first instance. 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

Attachments

2099 DD Research and Development JD Opens in new window (pdf, 285kB)