Laboratory Services Coordinator - £34,183 p.a. + benefits

Job summary

We are currently looking for a Laboratory Services Coordinator to join our Infrastructure and Laboratory Services Function within the Corporate group.

This is a full-time opportunity, on a permanent basis. The role will be based onsite at our Science Campus in South Mimms, Hertfordshire.

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 Infrastructure and Laboratory Services Function has three departments:

• Facilities & Laboratory Services – day to day running and support of sites, laboratories and other specialised facilities, including soft facilities and specialised services.

• Engineering – management of complex buildings and infrastructure, adhering to critical health and safety requirements and responding to alarms 24/7

• Specialist Project & Programme Management – of capital programme, providing project management / project engineering as required for building alterations, lab refurbishments including high containment.

Job description

What’s the role?

The role is responsible for provision of essential Laboratory Services to Science & Research at the South Mimms campus.

Responsible for the provision of clean, sterile glassware and equipment, decontamination of hazardous materials and operation, maintenance and repair of various types of laboratory equipment.

In addition, this post is responsible for laboratory laundry, hygiene and washroom services. The role is seen as a valued and essential part of the delivery of S&R.

Key responsibilities:

• Responsible for ensuring autoclaves and other critical equipment, such as industrials washers and sterilising ovens are maintained, calibrated, validated and fit for use and that the loads are suitable for decontamination or sterilisation, dealing with numerous failures and faults on these machines.

• Actively contribute and take part in reviews of Laboratory Service provision, equipment, processes and procedures to identify and propose improvements and efficiencies to reduce time and costs for this service.

• Maintain good relationships with supply companies for goods and equipment, through good communications. Organising, planning and co-ordinating contractors and engineers in laboratory areas, overseeing their work and ensuring they adhere to site H&S rules.

• Liaising with staff at all levels to deal with issues and problems that arise, investigating and resolving such issues in particular, with equipment and supply issues.

Person specification

Who are we looking for?

Our successful candidate will have the following:

• Organisation and planning - You can make plans and are well prepared. You seek to maximise time and productivity.

• Problem solving – Ability to take a positive approach to tackling problems and find ways to identify suitable solutions.

• Relevant scientific or technical background/knowledge, to include a degree in a scientific subject or equivalent relevant experience

• Managing a quality service - Work with stakeholders to set priorities, objectives, and timescales. Successfully deliver high quality outcomes that meet the customers’ needs and gives value for money

• Expert knowledge in use of industrial sized sterilising and cleaning equipment. Equipment maintenance and repair in a complex laboratory environment

Person Specification:

Method of assessment: A=Application, I=Interview

Behaviour Criteria:

• Organisation and planning – you can make plans and are well prepared. You seek to maximise time and productivity (I)

• Working Together – ability to work well with colleagues as part of a team, taking into consideration everyone’s individual needs and create a genuine team spirit. (I)

• Managing a Quality Service – Work with stakeholders to set priorities, objectives and timescales. Successfully deliver high quality outcomes that meet customers; needs and gives value for money. (A, I)

• Problem Solving – Ability to take a positive approach to tackling problems and find ways to identify suitable solutions. (A, I)

Experience Criteria:

• Understanding and in-depth knowledge of a wide range of laboratory equipment, sterilisation and decontamination techniques. Likely to be achieved by at least 3 years working in a similar role. (A, I)

• Well documented knowledge and experience in the operation/maintenance of large autoclaves and Industrial equipment such as glasswashers and sterilising ovens. Likely to be obtained by working in a science based or medical environment. (A, I)

Technical Criteria:

• A good standard of education with at least 5 GCSEs including English and Maths or equivalent experience. (A)

• Expert knowledge in use of industrial sized sterilising and cleaning equipment. Equipment maintenance and repair in a complex laboratory environment (A)

Strengths Criteria

• Focussed (I)

• Adaptable (I)

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 £34,183, Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency contributes £9,902 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• 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 five months full pay/five months half pay
• 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 the Civil Service Motoring Association (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

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.

In the instance that we receive a high number of applications, we will hold an initial sift based on the lead criteria of: Well documented knowledge and experience in the operation/maintenance of large autoclaves and Industrial equipment such as glasswashers and sterilising ovens. Likely to be obtained by working in a science based or medical environment.

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.

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: 12 March 2026

Shortlisting date: From 13 March 2026

Interview date: 24 March 2026 (interviews will be on site at our Science Campus in South Mimms)

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.

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.

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 careers@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.

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 : Alan Haynes
• Email : Alan.Haynes@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