Senior Scientist – Bioinformatician (Data Analysis) - £46,160 p.a. + benefits

Job summary

We are currently looking for a Senior Scientist – Bioinformatician (Data Analysis) 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.

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.

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 and Research 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.

The S&R 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 to areas of international and national priority for future biological medicines. Research and Development hosts and nurtures excellence in biological reference materials, biological activity measurements, product quality testing and standardisation that is currently hosted by the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC).

Analytical and Biological Sciences (ABS) is a multi-laboratory, multi-disciplinary team of experts within R&D. The NGS and Bioinformatics team within ABS is the focal point for the Agency’s requirements for bioinformatics expertise, delivering both practical and theoretical support across a wide range of NGS applications.

Job description

What’s the role?

This SEO-level position plays a pivotal role in providing advanced bioinformatics expertise to regulatory science research projects, underpinning cutting-edge research and regulatory science. The post-holder delivers robust, reproducible, and timely computational workflows and analysis pipelines to enable high-impact projects across genomics, transcriptomics, metagenomics, microbiome profiling, and single-cell analysis. This exciting role uniquely complements laboratory-based efforts, championing the computational aspects of next-generation sequencing to drive scientific innovation and support national and international priorities. The primary accountability of the role is the delivery of reproducible NGS data analysis pipelines in support of regulatory science, standards development, and control testing, rather than exploratory AI or diagnostics research.

Key responsibilities:

1. NGS Data Analysis & Pipeline Delivery

Lead the design, development, and delivery of scalable bioinformatics analysis pipelines (e.g. using Nextflow, Python, R) for large-scale NGS datasets.

1. Infrastructure, Reproducibility & Quality

Manage cloud-based bioinformatics infrastructure (e.g. Google Cloud Platform), ensuring scalability, reproducibility, data governance compliance, and adherence to MHRA quality systems (ISO).

1. Scientific Interpretation & Collaboration

Perform quality control, statistical analysis, and biological interpretation of data from diverse NGS modalities, working collaboratively with SR&I and wider MHRA teams to support regulatory and research objectives.

1. Capability Building & Continuous Improvement

Mentor junior bioinformaticians and laboratory scientists, contribute to publications and grant proposals, and integrate emerging technologies into core facility operations to strengthen long-term capability.

Who are we looking for?

Our successful candidate will have:

• Extensive experience delivering large-scale bioinformatics data analysis using cloud computing environments.

• Proficiency in programming languages including Bash, Python, R, and workflow languages such as Nextflow.

• Experience working with Linux and cloud computing platforms, including use of version control and containerisation tools (GitHub, Docker, Singularity).

• Demonstrated ability to lead the analytical components of complex, multi-stakeholder projects and deliver outputs to agreed timelines.

• Strong project management skills, with clear documentation and effective communication of bioinformatics analysis results to biologists and other stakeholders.

Person specification

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

Behaviour Criteria:

• Managing a Quality Service (A, I)

• Making Effective Decisions (A, I)

• Developing Self and Others (A, I)

Experience Criteria:

• Proven experience in delivering high-impact bioinformatics analyses across a range of NGS applications (A, I, P)

• Proficiency in developing and managing workflows using Nextflow and programming in Python, R, or Perl (A, I, P, T)

• Extensive experience with cloud computing (e.g. Google Cloud Platform) and Unix/Linux environments (A, I, P, T)

• Demonstrated ability to lead the analytical components of complex, multi-stakeholder projects and deliver outputs to agreed timelines (A, I)

Technical Criteria:

• MSc (or equivalent) in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, or related discipline (A, I, P)

• Deep understanding of NGS data formats, bioinformatics tools, and QC processes (A, I, P, T)

• Proficiency with version control, collaborative coding platforms, and containerisation technologies (A, I, P)

• Ability to interpret and communicate complex genomic data to diverse audiences (A, I, P)

Strengths Criteria

• Analytical (I)

• Learner (I)

If you would like to find out more about this fantastic opportunity, please read our Job Description and Person Specification!

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Benefits

Alongside your salary of £46,160, Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency contributes £13,372 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

he 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.

• Test, further information will be supplied when you reach this stage.

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

• Interview, which can include questions based on the Behaviour, Experience, Technical and Strengths Success Profiles.

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: 9th February

Shortlisting date: from 16th February

Interview date: from 2nd March

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.

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 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