Head, AI for Medicines Safety - £75,585 - £84,840 p.a. + benefits

Job summary

We are currently looking for a Head, AI for Medicines Safety to join our Benefit Risk Evaluation I Functionwithin the Safety & Surveillance Group.

This is a full-time opportunity, on a permanent basis. The role will be based in 10 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf London, E14 4PU.

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

We are currently implementing a flexible, hybrid way of working, with a minimum of 8 days per month working on site to enable the collaboration and contact with partners and stakeholders needed to deliver MHRA business. Attendance on site is driven by business needs so depending on the nature of the role, this can flex up to 12 days a month, with the remainder of time worked either remotely or in the office. Some roles will need to be on site more regularly. Remote working is potentially available for some specific roles. Please discuss this with the recruiting manager before accepting an appointment.

The Safety and Surveillance (S&S) Group brings together into a single integrated structure expertise on the safety of all medical products with enforcement capabilities. These functions are supported by the Agency’s data and evidence generating capabilities, complementing our signal generating abilities.

Against this background and the drive to improve treatment availability for patients, safety remains at the heart of all our decision making across the product life cycle. The central mission of the Safety & Surveillance portfolio is to protect the public by appropriately identifying, assessing and managing the risks associated with medical products. In every aspect of this work, we harness the best science, technology, information and professional practice to protect patients in new and impactful ways.

The core purpose of Benefit Risk Evaluation is to deliver a robust assessment of potential safety signals using data from a range of sources along with technical, scientific, clinical and regulatory knowledge, and practical experience. The team conducts benefit-risk evaluations for medicines and medical device across a broad spectrum of therapeutic areas to guide actions that protect patient safety. The team is responsible for:

• Signal detection of emerging safety issues
• Evaluating the benefit risk of signals and developing effective and measurable risk mitigation measures
• Using data and embracing new technologies to develop the evidence to support our actions and understand their impact

Job description

Role Purpose

This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in the delivery of the MHRA's “Beyond ADMET: AI for Medicines Safety” regulatory sandbox. This strategic regulatory science initiative will explore how artificial intelligence can improve the prediction of absorption, distribution, metabolism, excretion and toxicity (ADMET) outcomes and integrate clinical and real-world data to support safer, faster and more efficient medicines development, ultimately strengthening patient safety.

Reporting to the Deputy Direct of Benefit Risk Evaluation I, the postholder will provide overall leadership for the programme, including its strategic vision, scientific direction and delivery priorities. The role requires a leader who can operate at the intersection of regulatory science, artificial intelligence, medicines development and patient safety, bringing together expertise from across the MHRA, academia, industry, government and the wider healthcare ecosystem.

The Head, AI for Medicine Safety will be accountable for ensuring that programme activities are scientifically and technically robust, and aligned with the MHRA strategic objectives. The postholder will act as the senior ambassador for the programme, building partnerships nationally and internationally, influencing emerging regulatory thinking, and helping position the MHRA as a global leader in AI-enabled regulation and patient safety science.

Initially focused on leading delivery of the “Beyond ADMET: AI for Medicines Safety” regulatory sandbox programme, the postholder will also contribute to the MHRA's broader strategic ambitions in AI-enabled regulatory science and innovation, with opportunities to apply their expertise across other priority areas as organisational needs evolve.

Recognising the breadth of expertise required across artificial intelligence, medicines development and safety science, the postholder will lead a multidisciplinary team including technical and regulatory specialists, and programme delivery staff, ensuring the programme benefits from complementary expertise across all domains.

The role offers a unique opportunity to contribute to the advancement of regulatory science at the intersection of AI, medicines development and patient safety, while helping to establish a coherent approach across the MHRA's wider portfolio of AI initiatives and regulatory sandboxes.

Key responsibilities

Strategic Leadership

• Provide overall leadership and strategic direction for the “Beyond ADMET: AI for Medicines Safety” regulatory sandbox.
• Lead delivery of the programme's strategic priorities, ensuring alignment with the MHRA’s strategy and wider government ambitions for AI and life sciences.
• Serve as the senior leader for the programme, ensuring delivery of agreed outcomes, benefits and impact.
• Identify future opportunities for innovation, collaboration and capability development across the AI for Safety portfolio.

Scientific and Technical Leadership

• Act as the senior scientific and technical leader for the programme, ensuring activities are grounded in robust evidence and scientific excellence.
• Provide expert leadership across areas such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, computational modelling, pharmacology, toxicology, healthcare data science, drug development and regulatory science.
• Guide the evaluation of emerging technologies, methodologies, datasets and validation frameworks relevant to regulatory decision-making.
• Ensure programme outputs generate meaningful evidence that can inform future regulatory approaches, guidance and policy.
• Promote innovation while ensuring appropriate standards of quality, transparency, safety and governance.

Programme Oversight and Governance

• Oversee delivery of the programme through effective governance, assurance and performance management arrangements.
• Lead programme boards, steering groups and governance forums.
• Ensure risks, issues, dependencies and opportunities are identified and managed appropriately.
• Oversee programme resources and budgets, ensuring value for money and effective use of public resources.
• Work closely with the Technical Lead, Programme Manager, and Regulation & Policy Lead to ensure effective operational delivery against agreed objectives and milestones.

Stakeholder Engagement and External Leadership

• Build and maintain strong strategic relationships across industry, academia, government, healthcare organisations, patient groups and international regulatory networks.
• Represent the MHRA as a senior spokesperson and thought leader on AI-related regulatory science initiatives.
• Lead engagement with senior external stakeholders to promote collaboration and maximise programme impact.
• Champion dissemination of programme findings, learning and best practice.
• Foster strong connections across the MHRA's wider portfolio of AI initiatives and regulatory sandboxes

People Leadership

• Lead and develop a high-performing multidisciplinary team.
• Create an inclusive culture that encourages innovation, collaboration and continuous improvement.
• Manage senior staff, including technical leadership roles and programme management resource.

Regulatory Science and Organisational Impact

• Support the development of future regulatory policy, guidance and frameworks relating to AI-enabled technologies.
• Identify opportunities to strengthen the MHRA’s capability in AI, advanced analytics and regulatory science.
• Contribute to wider MHRA strategic priorities including evidence-based regulatory decision-making and improvements in patient safety.
• Promote the MHRA's reputation as an international leader in innovative regulation.

General

• While the immediate focus of this role is the successful delivery of the “Beyond ADMET: AI for Medicines Safety” regulatory sandbox, the postholder will be expected to provide leadership and expertise across the Agency's evolving AI, data and regulatory science agenda.
• Champion the MHRA values and Civil Service behaviours, promoting an ethical, positive and inclusive working environment.
• Proactively maintain and develop professional knowledge and expertise, sharing learning and best practice with colleagues.
• Demonstrate flexibility and adaptability in response to emerging technologies, scientific developments and changing business needs.

Person specification

Essential Criteria:

• Significant senior leadership experience in one or more relevant disciplines, including:
  • Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
  • Computational modelling
  • Pre-clinical assessment, toxicology and New Approach Methodologies (NAMs)
  • Pharmacology, drug discovery or development
  • Healthcare data science
  • or related scientific areas.
• Experience leading complex strategic programmes, scientific portfolios or major innovation initiatives, and successful delivery of their outcomes.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary teams and leading highly specialised technical experts.
• Experience influencing senior stakeholders, operating effectively across organisational boundaries and working collaboratively with external partners including academia, industry, government and healthcare organisations.

Behaviours

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

• Communicating and Influencing
• Leadership
• Delivering at Pace

Technical skills

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

• Degree in a relevant scientific, technical or healthcare discipline (or equivalent experience).
• Postgraduate qualification (MSc, PhD or equivalent experience) in a relevant field such as artificial intelligence, computational biology, pharmacology, toxicology, data science, bioinformatics, pharmaceutical sciences or a related discipline.
• Recognised expertise in either:Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Science or Computational Modelling; orPharmacology, Toxicology, Drug Development, NAMs or related life science disciplines.
• Broad understanding of the wider AI and medicines development ecosystem, with the ability to lead multidisciplinary teams spanning both domains.
• Ability to evaluate scientific evidence and emerging technologies and translate findings into regulatory and strategic recommendations.

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

• Recognised expertise in either:Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Data Science or Computational Modelling; orPharmacology, Toxicology, Drug Development, NAMs or related life science disciplines.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £75,585, Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency contributes £21,896 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 – 01 November 2026 at 23:55
• Sifting – from 02 November 2026
• Main panel interviews – w/c 23 and/or 30 November 2026

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 experience question which has a word limit of 300 words. If you are assessed as not meeting the required level, you will not be progressed past this stage.

Question: "Please describe your experience of leading significant programmes involving artificial intelligence, data science or digital technologies, safety or pharmacology" (maximum 250 words).

In your answer, please include:

• The context and objectives of the work
• Your specific role and actions taken
• How you engaged, influenced or collaborated with stakeholders
• The outcome, including any measurable impact or improvements delivered (e.g. efficiency, candidate experience, or compliance)

2. Sift Stage

• Anonymised CV which sets out your career history, previous experience and skills, highlighting specific responsibilities that are relevant for this role.
• 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.

2. 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 and at interview we will be assessing Behaviours and Experience.

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

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.

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 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.

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.

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

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.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

Head AI for Medicines Safety JD NS Opens in new window (pdf, 195kB)