Senior Scientist - £47,776 p.a. + benefits

Job summary

We are currently looking for a Senior Scientist to join our Standards Lifecycle 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. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas.

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

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.

Standards Lifecycle produce the MHRA biological reference materials. Marketed using the NIBSC brand, the Agency is a global leader in the standardisation and control of biological medicines and related diagnostic tests and is responsible for developing and producing over 90% of the World Health Organisation (WHO) International Standards in use around the world to assure the quality of these important products. The function is responsible for the WHO and other categories of Reference Materials and develops them from research and prototype materials through to completed validated protocol including manufacture and distribution.

Job description

The role will contribute scientific leadership and technical expertise as part of a team of scientists who manage and deliver prioritised standardisation projects relating to viral vaccines and viral infectious diseases, including projects to establish new reference materials as well as projects that will ensure existing reference materials are replaced, maintaining continuity of International Units where applicable. The role will use their experience and knowledge of biological standardisation (in the field of viral vaccines and infectious disease) to support other team members with delivery of standards projects, liaising with colleagues across the Agency to provide scientific expertise where appropriate. The role will help to manage relationships with external stakeholders such as the World Health Organization, to ensure that standardisation projects are progressed and delivered to agreed timelines.

• Manage projects, in compliance with relevant quality management systems, to develop and characterise (including value assignment where applicable) biological reference materials that support standardisation of assays used to evaluate viral vaccines/antigens or the response to immunisation

• Coordinate and manage large multi-laboratory studies, involving global stakeholders, to demonstrate fitness for purpose of candidate reference materials and prepare and publish comprehensive written reports to support establishment and implementation of new or replacement standards

• Use knowledge of products and relevant analytical and measurement procedures to support the development of innovative reference materials through collaboration with colleagues in other teams as appropriate

• Analyse and interpret complex data sets, keeping accurate records, to build evidence and inform design of future studies; actively communicate findings through written reports, scientific publications and delivery of scientific presentations in relevant fora

Person specification

• Experience of performing serological and/or molecular assays in the field of virology.

• A track record of successfully contributing to the delivery of multi-stakeholder scientific projects.

• Degree in a relevant scientific field, combined with post-graduate laboratory experience.

• Knowledge of the technical field in which viral vaccine standards are used.

• Strong communication skills, including team-working and maintaining good collaborative partnerships with a range of stakeholders.

Qualifications

A BSc degree in a relevant scientific discipline (i.e. microbiology/virology) combined with post-graduate laboratory experience.

Behaviours

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

• Working Together
• Communicating and Influencing

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

• Working Together

Technical skills

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

• A BSc degree in a relevant scientific discipline (i.e. microbiology/virology) combined with post-graduate laboratory experience.
• Good understanding of the principles of biological standardisation and its application to a range of assay models.
• Broad knowledge of the technical field in which viral vaccine standards are used, including awareness of technological advances that may influence standardisation approaches.
• Well-developed technical skills in one or more of: immunological assays, live or surrogate virus neutralisation assays, molecular biology techniques.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £47,776, Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency contributes £13,840 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 – 23 November 2026 at 23:55

• Sifting – from 26 November 2026

• Main panel interviews – from 7 December 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 question which has a word limit of 250 words. If you are assessed as not meeting the required level, you will not be progressed past this stage.

Question: "Outline your experience of performing serological or potency assays related to vaccines/antigens, viruses or the response to immunisation." (maximum 250 words)

2. Sift Stage

The main sift, where we'll read and score 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.

• Personal statement: Write a 500-word personal statement where you demonstrate how you meet the skills required for this role, providing examples to evidence your level of skill. In your personal statement we are looking for evidence of how you meet the role criteria and person specification. Your personal statement should aim to make use of the full wordcount and show how you meet the above criteria. Please give clear and specific examples of what you have done personally and the impact it has had.

• 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.

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

• Technical, 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

2094 Senior Scientist - Viral Vaccine Standards - JD Opens in new window (pdf, 218kB)