Research lead

We are currently looking for a Research Lead to join our Research and Development Function within the Scientific Research and Innovation group.

This is a full-time opportunity, on a fixed term contract basis until 31st March 2028. The role will be based in 10 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf.  

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 Scientific Research and Innovation 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.

The SR&I Research & Development function will deliver statutory mandated strategically aligned, sustainable and impactful Regulatory Scientific research that is applied primarily to biological reference materials development and medicines control testing and areas of international and national priority for extant and future biological medicines. Research and Development will host and nurture the current excellence in research into biologicals, biological reference materials, biological activity measurements, product quality testing and standardisation that is currently hosted by the MHRA Science Campus at South Mimms. This is a statutory activity and includes international centres of excellence such as those working on polio, influenza and the UK Stem Cell Bank.

 

What’s the role? 

The postholder will join an established team and work with an SEO to match novel AMR innovations to clinical need, and identify what would be needed to enable regulatory evaluation, marketing authorisation, and access and adoption. The post holder will actively engage with national and international research partners, including academia, industry, other regulatory Agencies, and non-profit public health organisations to carry out the work and identify opportunities to leverage additional funding. 

The primary purpose of the role is to inform a programme of work delivering research relating to novel antimicrobials and diagnostics pertaining to AMR across One Health. 

 

An understanding of the regulatory requirements for novel and established medicines, as well as an appreciation of the opportunities and challenges of identifying and deploying AMR solutions across One Health would be desirable.  

The postholder will be expected to build and lead a project capable of covering the multiple disciplines and sectors that AMR encompasses, with expert knowledge of the challenges and opportunities across One Health and Lower-Middle Income Countries (LMICs). The post holder will work closely with colleagues across SR&I and other Agency groups, to provide expert advice relating to AMR products, regulation, and access. 

 

Key responsibilities: 

• Be accountable to the Head of Diagnostics and contribute to the strategic direction of the R&D undertaken in the team in response to programme priorities. Engage with, and provide expert advice to, national and international stakeholders including WHO, the global Pharmacopoeias, manufacturers, regulatory organisations and academia. 

• Initiate and lead the project to pull out key regulatory and access challenges pertaining to novel AMR medicines and diagnostics. Generate scientific data that is publishable in high quality scientific journals. 

• Establish and maintain relationships and collaborations with external stakeholders (including industry, academia, government departments, regulatory agencies and non-profit philanthropic organisations) as appropriate to identify and progress research priorities to deliver outputs that positively impact health of patients. 

• Represent the Agency externally, nationally, and internationally, as an expert in medicinal products developed to tackle AMR and provide state of the art guidance to senior agency colleagues in other functions such as HQA and S&S. 

• Provide expert advice on products relating to the AMR to colleagues in the Agency and other Government departments as appropriate. 

• Seek and drive opportunities for continued service improvement through expert services, training, and scientific and technical advice.

 

Person Specification: 

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

Behaviour Criteria:

• Leadership (A, I)

• Managing a Quality Service (A, I)

Experience Criteria:

• Significant research experience and evidence of collaborative, multidisciplinary working (A)

• Experience of delivering project in collaboration with external stakeholders (A, I)

• Evidence of engaging with external stakeholders and partners to promote knowledge exchange and build productive relationships (A, I)

Technical Criteria:

• Demonstrate good knowledge of, and practical experience in, a broad range of research techniques used to assess and characterise biological molecules and biotherapeutics (A, I)

• Using AI to build data curation and collection pipelines with classification and embedding models for Natural language processing (A, I)

• Good knowledge of how Agency activities relate to, and support, medicines development and regulation (A, I)

If you would like to find out more about this fantastic opportunity, please read our Job Description and Person Specification [https://mhra-gov.filecamp.com/static/files/YfSvTKwH1wu6XgRu.pdf]!

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 [careers@mhra.gov.uk] 

 

The selection process: 

We use the Civil Service Success Profiles to assess our candidates, find out more here [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/success-profiles]. 

 

• 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 Using AI to build data curation and collection pipelines with classification and embedding models for Natural language processing. 

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. 

 

Use of AI in Job Applications

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  [https://eur01.safelinks.protection.outlook.com/?url=https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/artificial-intelligence-and-recruitment/&data=05|02|Ufuoma.Eriemo2@mhra.gov.uk|3d175bf263f54c3cf85608de3bfa288f|e527ea5c62584cd2a27f8bd237ec4c26|0|0|639014142773052769|Unknown|TWFpbGZsb3d8eyJFbXB0eU1hcGkiOnRydWUsIlYiOiIwLjAuMDAwMCIsIlAiOiJXaW4zMiIsIkFOIjoiTWFpbCIsIldUIjoyfQ==|0|||&sdata=2VE8qZPdzo8azEL775DBoKUPz5zMHopZPjc9cs3KuOk=&reserved=0]for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

 

If you require any disability related adjustments at any point during the process, please contact careers@mhra.gov.uk [careers@mhra.gov.uk] as soon as possible. 

 

Closing date: 11th May 2026

Shortlisting date: from 15th May 2026

Interview date: from 27th May 2026

 

If you need assistance applying for this role or have any other questions, please contact careers@mhra.gov.uk [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 [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/nationality-rules]. 

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 [https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/government-baseline-personnel-security-standard?_ga=2.149328757.2118900794.1613132232-433185063.1580991281].

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 [https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/].

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 [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, in the first instance, you should contact the MHRA Recruitment Team at careers@mhra.gov.uk [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 [https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/] 

info@csc.gov.uk [info@csc.gov.uk] 

Civil Service Commission 

Room G/8 

1 Horse Guards Road 

London 

SW1A 2HQ 

About Us

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 agency is made up of c.1300 staff working across two main centres and peripatetically across the UK and abroad.

The agency consists of Corporate, Digital & Technology, Enablement, Healthcare Quality & Access, Partnerships, Safety & Surveillance and Scientific Research & Innovation.