Principal Epidemiologist - £81,000-£117,800 p.a. + benefits

Job summary

We are currently looking for a Principal Epidemiologist to join ourScientific Data & Insight Function within 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.

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.

To deliver effectively on our central mission of protecting public health, we need robust vigilance processes that are able to quickly detect, monitor and evaluate safety signals across the product lifecycle, the ability to critically evaluate the benefit/risk balance of signals of concern and design effective risk mitigations, to communicate effectively to patients and the public and a healthcare system able to implement them. The Safety and Surveillance 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 delivered via the common vigilance platform SafetyConnect.

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.

In support of this mission, the Scientific Data & Insight function is responsible for developing expertise in house to deliver evidence to underpin these new approaches. Quality and speed of regulatory decision making is dependent on having access to high-quality, representative data in a timely fashion but also being able to access and analyse in-house data and information in the most effective way. A critical aspect of this work will include the exploration and application of new analytical methodologies including AI and machine learning methods such as natural language processing, large language models and computer modelling and simulation approaches. Hence developing and strengthening capacity and capability in data science within MHRA is a key strategic objective to ensure we are best placed to address the future evidence generation needs for both medicines and devices.

Job description

What’s the role?

The Principal Epidemiologist will enhance the MHRA’s pharmacoepidemiology and/or device epidemiology capabilities by introducing and applying cutting-edge methodologies and approaches. The postholder will lead the development and implementation of advanced epidemiological methods to transform how the MHRA identifies, evaluates, and mitigates risks associated with medicines and medical devices. By harnessing real-world data, they will pioneer innovative approaches that strengthen the UK’s regulatory science framework.

This is a strategic role, focused on delivering high-impact, cross-cutting initiatives that have the potential to shape the Agency’s future capabilities.

Operating with significant scientific autonomy, the Principal Epidemiologist will act as a thought leader and methodological innovator - driving forward high-profile projects, advising senior leadership, and contributing to the MHRA’s standing as a global leader in regulatory epidemiology. The role will require building and maintaining strategic partnerships with academic institutions, healthcare organisations, regulators and international bodies, ensuring the Agency’s work is informed by and contributes to the wider scientific and regulatory network.

Key responsibilities:

• Lead the design, development, and application of advanced epidemiological methods to address complex regulatory challenges in medicines and medical device safety.
• Identify and anticipate critical evidence gaps and deliver innovative real-world data analyses to inform regulatory decision making and public health protection.
• Build and maintain strategic collaborations with UK and international academic, regulatory, and healthcare partners to enhance the MHRA’s epidemiological capabilities.
• Proactively identify and secure external research funding opportunities, preparing high-quality proposals that expand the Agency’s resources and influence.
• Represent the MHRA on national and international expert committees, advisory panels, and working groups, ensuring UK leadership in regulatory epidemiology.
• Provide authoritative advice and thought leadership to senior Agency leadership, cross-Agency programmes, and government partners on methodological and regulatory issues.
• Disseminate findings through high-impact publications, presentations, and stakeholder engagement, strengthening the MHRA’s standing as a global centre of excellence.
• Mentor colleagues, foster innovation, and contribute to building in-house expertise and capability in pharmacoepidemiology and device epidemiology.

Person specification

Who are we looking for?

Our successful candidate will have the following:

• Doctoral qualification (or equivalent advanced experience) in epidemiology, statistics, or a closely related quantitative discipline
• Extensive expertise in the design, implementation, and critical appraisal of advanced epidemiological and statistical methods, including the ability to innovate, adapt, or extend methodologies to address complex, high-uncertainty regulatory challenges.
• Demonstrated leadership in solving complex, strategic challenges, using advanced epidemiological methods, with clear impact on regulatory policy, health system strategy, or major public health initiatives.
• A strong track record of methodological innovation in epidemiological science, including leading experimental or high-risk/high-reward programmes that advanced the frontiers of regulatory or real-world evidence.
• Internationally recognised expertise in at least one of the following domains, with significant influence on practice, policy, or methodological development:
  • Bayesian methods
  • Causal inference
  • Dynamic benefit-risk assessment
  • Genetic and molecular epidemiology
  • Machine learning and AI
  • Simulation-based benefit-risk models
  • Systems epidemiology
  • Similar advanced and novel methods
  • Prescription Sequence Symmetry Analysis

If you would like to find out more about this fantastic opportunity, please click here for further details Principal Epidemiologist (SCS1) - Allen Lane

Person Specification:

Method of assessment: A=Application, I=Interview, P=Presentation

Behaviour Criteria:

• Seeing the Big Picture (A, I)
• Changing and Improving (A, P, I)
• Communicating and Influencing (A, P, I)

Experience Criteria:

• Demonstrated leadership in solving complex, strategic challenges, using advanced epidemiological methods, with clear impact on regulatory policy, health system strategy, or major public health initiatives. (A, P, I)
• A strong track record of methodological innovation in epidemiological science, including leading experimental or high-risk/high-reward programmes that advanced the frontiers of regulatory or real-world evidence. (A, P, I)
• Internationally recognised expertise in at least one of the following domains, with significant influence on practice, policy, or methodological development (A, P, I):
  • Bayesian methods
  • Causal inference
  • Dynamic benefit-risk assessment
  • Genetic and molecular epidemiology
  • Machine learning and AI
  • Simulation-based benefit-risk models
  • Systems epidemiology
  • Similar advanced and novel methods
  • Prescription Sequence Symmetry Analysis
• Recognised thought leadership, evidenced by publications, invited keynotes, advisory roles, or leadership of expert working groups, both nationally and internationally. (A, I)
• Proven ability to shape organisational culture and strategic direction, particularly through mentoring, coaching, and fostering innovation. (A, I)
• Extensive experience communicating complex technical and conceptual material with clarity and influence, including to senior decision-makers and multidisciplinary audiences.(A, P, I)
• A sustained record of high-impact scientific publication, including as first or senior (lead) author in leading peer-reviewed journals. (A)
• Deep expertise in the use of real-world data assets, including advanced analytics in a regulatory or public health context. (A, P, I)

Technical Criteria:

• Doctoral qualification (or equivalent advanced experience) in epidemiology, statistics, or a closely related quantitative discipline. (A)
• Extensive expertise in the design, implementation, and critical appraisal of advanced epidemiological and statistical methods, including the ability to innovate, adapt, or extend methodologies to address complex, high-uncertainty regulatory challenges. (A, P, I)
• Advanced proficiency in programming and computational epidemiology, with expert-level skills in tools such as Python, R, or Stata for handling large, complex, and linked healthcare datasets. Demonstrated commitment to reproducibility, scalability, and transparency in data science. (A, I)

Strengths Criteria

• Challenger (I)
• Improver (I)
• Influencer (I)

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £81,000, Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency contributes £23,465 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.

• Application, which will include a CV, which should demonstrate how you meet the Experience and Technical Success Profile criteria. Please submit your application to Allen Lane by visiting this websitePrincipal Epidemiologist (SCS1) - Allen Lane
• Interview, which can include questions based on the Behaviour, Experience, Technical and Strengths Success Profiles.
• Presentation, to be prepared as part of your interview, with further information being supplied when you reach this stage.

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: 10 March 2026

Shortlisting date: w/c 16 March 2026

Interview date: w/c 23rd March 2026

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.

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.

Standard Cabinet Office rules on pay will apply to civil servants appointed on level transfer or promotion. Their salary will increase to the minimum of the SCS PB1 range or by a promotion award of up to 10% more than their current basic salary excluding all allowances (whichever is the greater).

Individuals appointed on level transfer will retain their existing basic salary excluding all allowances. You may be eligible for a non-consolidated annual bonus payment, subject to successful performance, in line with the Senior Civil Service pay arrangements. These are set annually within the guidelines laid down by the Cabinet Office.

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.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 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 : Ed Stroud
• Email : EdStroud@allenlane.co.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