Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency
Scientist - £34,183 p.a. + benefits
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South Mimms, Hertfordshire
Job Summary
We are currently looking for a Scientist to join our Control Testing Function within the Science and Research group. We welcome applications from early career Scientists.
This is a full-time opportunity, on a permanent basis. This role is being offered as a laboratory-based position at our Science campus in South Mimms, Hertfordshire. Please note hybrid working is not available for this role.
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 through four subgroups: Control Testing, Research and Development, Standards Lifecycle, and Health & Safety and Quality Assurance, working together to ensure quality, drive innovation, and improve health outcomes.
The Control Testing team assures the quality of biological medicines by independently assessing and certifying batches of vaccines, blood products, and plasma pools through laboratory testing and review of manufacturers’ data, ensuring every batch meets the required safety and quality standards.
Job Description
What’s the role?
The post is for a laboratory-based scientist who will be part of a team of scientists focused on laboratory testing for the characterisation of biological medicines as part of UK’s independent batch release program. Control Testing is composed of teams which specialise in assays for Separation science, Immunochemistry, Cell based assays, Molecular analysis and Biochemistry.
The post holder will evaluate vaccines and blood products using a range of specialist assays and methods as part of the Molecular Analysis team. The Molecular Analysis team perform a range of assays such as, but not limited to, blood borne virus detection using high throughput analysers, PCR, q(RT)-PCR and nucleic acid sequencing.
The post holder will be responsible for organising materials and reagents, as well as the performing of batch release activities from receipt of samples, to testing and reporting results, in accordance with SOPs and the ISO17025 quality standard. This is an exciting opportunity to develop laboratory skills, enhance your knowledge of regulatory science and develop working practices within a quality system.
Key Responsibilities:
- Perform molecular analytical tests, following SOPs and in compliance with ISO17025.
- Manage day-to-day registration (logging) of samples supplied for laboratory testing and error-free data entry into a Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).
- Maintain laboratory stocks of reagents and consumables.
- Responsible for maintenance of equipment records.
Who are we looking for?
Our Successful Candidate Will Have:
- Experience in one or more molecular assays used for the evaluation of vaccines and blood products, for example, blood borne virus detection using high throughput analysers, RNA/DNA extraction, PCR, q(RT)-PCR and nucleic acid sequencing.
- Experience of working in a laboratory.
- Excellent team working and communication skills.
- Good planning and time management skills.
- Ability to work accurately with strong attention to detail, whilst following written and verbal instructions.
Person specification
Method of assessment: A=Application, T=Test, I=Interview, P=Presentation
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Ability Criteria:
- Proficiency in performing laboratory assays required for the testing of biological samples in a CL2 laboratory (I, T)
- Ability to follow verbal and written instructions and ensure documents associated with laboratory testing are complete, accurate and are complying to quality standards and regulations (I, T)
Behaviour Criteria:
- Working Together (A, I)
- Delivering at Pace (A, I)
- Seeing the Big Picture (A, I)
Experience Criteria:
- Knowledge of management of documents and records, typically achieved through working within quality management system such as ISO17025 or similar. With experience of using systems to ensure accurate data capture and review, such as a Laboratory Information Management System, would be desirable (A, I)
Technical Criteria:
- A Bachelors Degree in a relevant field, or equivalent laboratory experience (A, I)
- Experience in working in a laboratory environment with practical skills in performing methods for the molecular analysis of biological samples, ideally medicines, with knowledge of good practice and safety requirements. Experience of blood borne virus detection using high throughput analysers is desirable but not essential as training will be given (A, 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 careers@mhra.gov.uk
Qualifications
A Bachelors Degree in a relevant field, or equivalent laboratory experience.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Working Together
- Delivering at Pace
- Seeing the Big Picture
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £34,183, Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency contributes £9,902 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.
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Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Ability and Experience.
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. Test, further information will be supplied when you reach this stage. 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 Delivering at Pace and Using examples from your qualifications and previous employment, please explain how you meet the technical criteria for this role, as outlined 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: Sunday 16th August 2026
Shortlisting date: from 1st September 2026
Interview date: from 14th 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
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