Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
Higher Scientist - £37,456-£42,084 p.a. + benefits
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South Mimms, Hertfordshire
Job Summary
We are currently looking for a Higher Scientist to join our Control Testing 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.
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 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
What’s the role?
The post is for a laboratory-based scientist who will be part of a team of analytical scientists focused on separation-based methods used for the characterisation of biological medicines as part of the Agency’s independent batch release function. The post holder will evaluate a wide range of vaccines and blood products. They will work under the ISO17025 quality standard to perform a range of analytical techniques, including but not limited to HPLC based methods; reverse phase, sizing exclusion and ion exchange chromatograph. Other separation-based methods including SDS-PAGE and capillary electrophoresis.
Key Responsibilities:
- Perform analytical assays in compliance with ISO17025, including assay development, validation, and troubleshooting.
- Coordinate with the scientists within the Control Testing teams to ensure the timetable of analysis and documentation of samples supplied for laboratory testing and data entry into a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS) is achieved.
- Advise and supervise training of team members 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, to ensure quality of service and identify improvement and changes in working practices.
Who are we looking for?
Our Successful Candidate Will Have:
- Experience of working in a laboratory.
- Experience of one or more of the laboratory methods listed in the job description.
- Excellent team working and communication skills.
- Good planning and time management skills.
- Ability of working accurately and with attention to detail.
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 of working accurately and precisely with an attention to detail typically achieved through working within quality management system, ISO17025 or similar. With experience of method validation, data management and monitoring, and data checks, entry and review (A, I)
- Experience of using a Laboratory Information Management System, with an understanding of statistical packages to analyse and present data and a good understanding of the use of a LIMS software package for accurate data capture, data analysis and review (A, I)
Technical Criteria:
- Required: Skilled in the use of one or more of the following analytical techniques: HPLC methods (size exclusion, reverse-phase and ion-exchange chromatography), SDS-PAGE and capillary electrophoresis (A, I)
- A Degree in a relevant field, or equivalent experience together with experience in HPLC-based analysis of biological samples, including vaccines and blood-derived products (A)
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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 careers@mhra.gov.uk
Alongside your salary of £37,456, Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency contributes £10,851 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 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
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.
In the instance that we receive a high number of applications, we will hold an initial sift based on the lead criteria of Skilled in the use of one or more of the following analytical techniques: HPLC methods (size exclusion, reverse-phase and ion-exchange chromatography), SDS-PAGE and capillary electrophoresis.
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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: 24th August 2026
Shortlisting date: from 7th September 2026
Interview date: from 16th September 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.
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