Technical Lead – Digital mental health - £27,696 p.a. (pro-rata to £46,160 p.a full time equivalent) + benefits

Job summary

We are currently looking for a Technical Lead – Digital mental healthto join our Digital mental health project team which is part of the Innovative Devices function within the Health Quality and Access group.

This is a part-time opportunity (0.6 FTE/3 days a week), on a fixed term contract until 31st October 2028, internal move, temporary promotion, loans will be considered. The role will be based in 10 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf London, E14 4PU.

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.

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 Innovative Devices function is leading on the development of a new regulatory framework for the UK, which protects patient safety whilst enabling innovation. It also works to improve pre-market support for medical device manufacturers and developers and facilitate a smooth passage to market access through improved regulation and guidance along with tailored support for innovative products across med-tech, diagnostics and digital, or where there is higher associated risk. The function will ensure that the UK has supply of new and advancing medical devices to include software and AI as a medical device, novel implantable devices and diagnostics and play a significant role in developing the new Regulatory Framework for Medical Devices.

Job description

What’s the role?

This role is an exciting opportunity to support a Wellcome Trust funded project to ensure that digital mental health products are regulated in a risk proportionate manner and evaluated consistently so users have access to safe and effective products, which could help improve mental health care significantly.

The successful candidate, as a member of the Digital Mental Health project team, will contribute and support senior colleagues on the development and implementation of the DMHT AI Airlock as well as other key deliverables of the Wellcome funded project.

They will support engagement and partnerships with key internal and external stakeholders, including other government departments, professional bodies, trade associations and the wider health sector to ensure UK patients have access to safe and effective Medical Devices.

The post holder will work collaboratively and where appropriate in a matrix model with the safety and surveillance team to establish processes for and support compliance activity on digital mental health technologies available on the UK market to ensure patient safety.

Key responsibilities:

• contribute and support senior colleagues on the development and implementation of the DMHT AI Airlock as well as other key deliverables of the Wellcome funded project.
• support engagement and partnerships with key internal and external stakeholders, including other government departments, professional bodies, trade associations and the wider health sector to ensure UK patients have access to safe and effective Medical Devices designed for mental health.
• work collaboratively and where appropriate in a matrix model with the safety and surveillance team to establish processes for and support compliance activity on digital mental health technologies available on the UK market to ensure patient safety.
• actively contribute towards ongoing improvement and a positive working environment within the project team and throughout the wider Agency

Who are we looking for?

Our successful candidate will demonstrate the following:

• Proven customer service skills to deal confidently and diplomatically with external stakeholders and colleagues at all levels. Explain complex issues in a way that is easy to understand.
• Experience of a flexible and adaptable attitude towards work, providing a proactive service and the ability to use initiative, foresight, and have a willingness to go the ‘extra mile’ and excellent attention to detail.
• Regularly monitor your own and team’s work against milestones ensuring individual needs are considered when setting tasks
• Previous experience in software, AI or medical device regulation, including in a clinical, commercial, academic or policy setting. This could include experience developed through previous roles in Regulatory Affairs, Quality Assurance or Medical Affairs.
• Bachelor’s degree of equivalent in a scientific, engineering or medical discipline

Person specification

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

Behaviour Criteria:

• Communicating & influencing (A, I)
• Managing a Quality Service (A, I)
• Delivering at Pace (A, I)

Experience Criteria:

• (Essential) Previous experience in software, AI or medical device regulation, including in a clinical, commercial, academic or policy setting. This could include experience developed through previous roles in Regulatory Affairs, Quality Assurance or Medical Affairs. (A, I)
• (Desirable) Experience of developing, evaluating (including analytical validation, clinical studies and trials, or systematic reviews and evidence synthesis) and/or policy development specific to software and AI (A, I)

Technical Criteria:

• (Essential) Bachelor’s degree of equivalent in a scientific, engineering or medical discipline (A)
• (Desirable) A Masters, PhD or equivalent in a scientific, engineering or medical discipline with a preference for mental health (A)
• (Desirable) Knowledge of current UK MDR and EU MDR, understanding of the methodological approaches for artificial intelligence (A)

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 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

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.

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: 29th April 2026

Shortlisting date: from 11th May 2026

Interview date: 5th, 11th & 12th June 2026

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 : The Resourcing Team
• Email : Holly.coole@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