Current jobs related to Principal scientist, Cell-Based Assays - South Mimms - 8d77a0ac-0c8d-4150-bab6-163c5bce645e

Details
Reference number

439769

Salary

£60,778

A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

GBP

Job grade

Grade 7

Contract type

Permanent

Business area

MHRA - Science, Research and Innovation Group

Type of role

Science

Working pattern

Full-time

Number of jobs available

1

Contents

• Location
• About the job
• Benefits
• Things you need to know
• Apply and further information

Location

South Mimms, Herts

About the job
Job summary

We are currently looking for a Principal Scientist Cell-based Assays to join our Control Testing Function within the Science Research and Innovation 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.

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 role sits within the Control Testing team in the Scientific Research function of the MHRA.

The Control Testing team delivers the statutory function of independent control testing of biological medicines, including blood products and vaccines, helping to ensure patients have access to new and existing products.

Job description

The role will provide expert scientific direction and line management to a team of analytical scientists focused on cell-based assays used for the characterisation of biological medicines to deliver the Agency's independent control testing function. The Cell-based assay team will perform a range of analytical techniques including, but not limited to fluorometric, microscopy, foci-forming assays, Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorting (FACS), plaque forming and plaque reduction neutralisation assays.

This is an exciting opportunity to apply scientific expertise and develop leadership and management skills to support the timely supply of safe and effective vaccines and blood products to patients. The postholder will also contribute to the strategic planning for the Control Testing function within the S&R Group.

Key responsibilities:

• Ensure analytical assays are performed in compliance with ISO17025, including assay development, validation and troubleshooting.
• Manage the day-to-day implementation and delivery of improvements in patient outcomes through organisation of resources, process improvement and changes in working practice, including training and innovative assay development.
• Advise and supervise training of staff in specific assays and administration of control testing.
• Engage with stakeholders, as required by the team lead, including colleagues across the Agency and other National Control Laboratories and manufacturers to ensure quality of service and patients' access to medicines.

Person specification

Our successful candidate will:

• Extensive experience of working within ISO17025 quality management system.
• Extensive experience of one or more of the laboratory methods listed in the job description.
• Extensive experience of using a LIMS.
• Ability to create a professional collaborative environment to motivate staff and effectively respond to change.
• Engage with a wide verity of stakeholders, using clear communication to foster collaboration, deliver expert services, training, scientific and technical advice.

Person Specification:

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

Behaviour Criteria:

• Working Together (A, I)
• Communicating and Influencing (A, I)

Experience Criteria:

• Experience with audit and inspection under quality management systems, ideally ISO17025 and management of outcomes. (A, I)
• Extensive experience of using a LIMS; analysing large complex data sets, including suitable statistical analysis. (A, I)
• Experience of managing and training analytical staff. (A, I)

Technical Criteria:

• Expertise in one or more of the following:- in fluorometric, microscopy, foci-forming assays, Fluorescence Activated Cell Sorting (FACS), plaque forming and plaque reduction neutralisation assays. (A, I)
• A PhD in a relevant field or extensive equivalent experience, together with significant experience in the analysis of at biological medicines, including vaccines (A)

Strengths:

• Team Player (I)

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

Please note: The job description may not open in some internet browsers. Please use Chrome or Microsoft Edge. If you have any issue viewing the job description, please contact

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £60,778, Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency contributes £17,607 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 For enquiries relating to the Civil Service Pension Schemes please contact MyCSP's Pension Service Centre directly on
• 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
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.

In the instance that we receive a high number of applications, we will hold an initial sift based on the lead criteria of candidates having A PhD in a relevant field or extensive equivalent experience, together with significant experience in the analysis of at biological medicines including a least one of the following sample types: proteins, vaccines.

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 as soon as possible.

Closing date: 14th December 2025

Shortlisting date: from 15th December 2025

Interview date: from 5th January 2025

If you need assistance applying for this role or have any other questions, please contact

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

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 Florentina Oleylami, Head of Talent Acquisition,

If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission at:

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)
• 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

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code 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 .

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 the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .

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 :

Recruitment team

• Email :

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 , in the first instance. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive you can contact the Civil Service Commission at: - - Civil Service Commission Room G/8 1 Horse Guards Road London SW1A 2HQ

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