Senior Scientist - £46,160 p.a. + benefits

Job summary

We are currently looking for a Senior Scientist to join our Research and Development Function within the Science and Research Group.

This is a full-time opportunity, on a fixed term contract basis until the 31st May 2029. The role will be based 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 Science and Research group delivers public health impact through world-leading research and innovation to support clinical trials and availability of novel medicines. It comprises 6 sub-Groups: Innovation Accelerator, Clinical Investigations and Trials, Research and Development, Standards Lifecycle, Control Testing and Quality Assurance and Health & Safety.

Research and Development (R&D) delivers an internationally leading programme that supports development of and access to novel biological medicines, biological standards, diagnostics, vaccines, biotherapeutics and advanced therapy medicinal products.

Job description

Role Purpose

This is a fixed term position (ending on 31st May 2029), funded by the Coalition for Epidemic Preparedness Innovations (CEPI), a global organisation that supports the development of new and innovative vaccines against emerging infectious viral diseases.

To strengthen pandemic preparedness, CEPI is funding Agility 2.0, a research project in collaboration with the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) which aims at evaluating immunological and pathological properties of (re)emerging viral threats through the production of new viral isolates, pseudotyped viruses and the development of neutralisation assays and ex vivo and in vivo models. The MHRA is primarily leading the activities on pseudotyped viruses with the objective to generate a panel of high-quality tools aligned with CEPI’s priority. Research activities will focus on improving production procedures to maximise yield and characterisation methods to ensure quality, generating and sourcing key samples to develop and control neutralisation assays, as well as evaluating alignment with data generated from live neutralisation assays using common reference reagents.

The post holder will be responsible to manage the programme on the MHRA side, ensure deliverables are met in a timely manner, actively participate and report progress during regular meetings with UKHSA, CEPI and relevant stakeholders, engage with project management leadership on the direction and future activities, and promote Agility 2.0 at national and international conferences. The post holder will also be in charge to plan, coordinate, perform and analyse lab activities with the support of the team lead, and will have line managerial responsibility of one scientist.

Key responsibilities and results areas

• Managing scientific projects in line with CEPI’s objectives and completing deliverables in a timely manner.
• Reporting progress to CEPI, UKHSA and stakeholders during regular meetings through clear and detailed presentations of objectives, methods and results, aligned with deliverables.
• Proactively engaging with CEPI, UKHSA and stakeholders to help design the development of the project and define future scope of activities, in collaboration with the team lead.
• Monitoring and evaluating the evolving global landscape of viral pathogens, outbreak epidemiology and vaccine development programmes aligned with CEPI's priority pathogen list.
• Designing, performing and analysing lab activities to meet the project deliverables, focusing on the production and characterisation of new pseudotyped viruses, the generation and sourcing of relevant reagents and the development of serological assays.
• Line managing and supervising lab activities of a scientist supporting Agility 2.0.
• Increasing international awareness of the project through presentations at national and international conferences, and networking activities.
• Actively seeking external funding in collaboration with the team lead.
• Working flexibly with the wider team, providing support across all areas as required by line manager and/or Head of team to meet the needs of the business.

Person specification

• Experience in managing scientific projects, reporting progress to stakeholders with degrees of seniority, delivering outcomes in a timely fashion and actively contributing to decision-making conversations on project development and evolution of activity scope. Line managing experience is desirable.
• A PhD in Virology, or a closely related discipline, supplemented by postgraduate research experience in virology, or equivalent professional experience in the field of virology.
• Demonstrable expertise in molecular and cellular virology techniques, including cell culture, viral propagation and characterisation, pseudotyped virus production, infection and neutralisation methods, ELISA, DNA manipulation techniques, qPCR and (desirable) next-generation sequencing (NGS). Experience in the production, purification, and characterisation of recombinant proteins would be advantageous.
• Excellent analytical skills, with the proven ability to generate, record, analyse, interpret and communicate complex information to internal and external collaborators and stakeholders, in a detailed-focused and precise manner.

Qualifications

A PhD in Virology, or a closely related discipline, supplemented by postgraduate research experience in virology, or equivalent professional experience in the field of virology.

Behaviours

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

• Managing a Quality Service
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace

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

• Managing a Quality Service

Technical skills

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

• Excellent analytical skills, with the proven ability to generate, record, analyse, interpret and communicate complex information to internal and external collaborators and stakeholders, in a detailed-focused and precise manner.
• Demonstrable expertise in molecular and cellular virology techniques.

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 (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 October 2026 at 23:55
• Sifting – from 22 October 2026
• Main panel interviews – from 2 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 technical criteria of A PhD in Virology, or a closely related discipline, supplemented by postgraduate research experience in virology, or equivalent professional experience in the field of virology. If you are assessed as not meeting the required level, you will not be progressed past this stage.

2. Sift Stage

Those applications which are successful at pre-sift stage will then progress to the main sift, where we'll read and score the rest of 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.
• 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.

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 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
• 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 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

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

2050 Senior Scientist JD Opens in new window (pdf, 239kB)