Description We are currently looking for a Senior Scientist 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 31 st October 2027. The role will be based in South Mimms, Hertfordshire. 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. Remote working is potentially available for some specific roles. Please discuss this with the recruiting manager before accepting an appointment. 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 Engineering Biology Sandbox is a cross-agency programme of work to look at the suitability of existing regulations for phage products across One Health, identify where gaps exist, and provide the clarity that is needed to seek market approval. The Diagnostics Division houses the GAMRIF-funded MHRA AMR Innovation & Support Team, which provides regulatory science support for AMR innovation across One Health. The DEFRO GMO office is responsible for regulating genetically modified organisms (GMOs) in the UK. They oversee the deliberate release of GMOs for research purposes, ensuring compliance with strict legislation under the Environment Protection Act 1990. The MHRA Science and Research function 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 Defra is responsible for improving and protecting the environment. We aim to grow a green economy and sustain thriving rural communities. We also support our world-leading food, farming and fishing industries. What’s the role? The purpose of this role is to support the delivery of a programme of prioritised regulatory scientific research pertaining to engineered and synthetic phages. Specifically, the postholder will work with team members and innovators to investigate the persistence, spread, and duration of phage products in the environment and their potential to drive AMR. This will inform what activities are needed to support quality, safety, and efficacy measurements in regulatory evaluation of novel phage products across One Health and execute them. The post holder will actively engage with research partners, including academia, industry, other regulatory Agencies, and non-profit public health organisations, to deliver project objectives. The post holder will work closely with colleagues in other teams to carry out scientific activities relating to novel engineered and synthetic phage products and will be expected to contribute to wider Divisional activities. Experience of sampling and processing environmental samples, and next generation sequencing would be desirable. Some prior knowledge of the challenges and opportunities for phage products across One Health, and Lower-Middle Income Countries (LMICs), is desirable. The post holder will work closely with colleagues across SR&I and other Agency groups. Key responsibilities: Be accountable to the Project Manager of the MHRA AMR Team and Defra counterpart, and contribute to the strategic direction of the R&D undertaken in the team in response to programme priorities, with a focus on engineered and synthetic phages. Engage and work collaboratively with national and international stakeholders including WHO, product developers, manufacturers, regulatory organisations and academia. Initiate and lead an R&D project that addresses key regulatory and scientific questions pertaining to engineered and synthetic phages. Look for opportunities to leverage additional funding to build out the work of the team. Take responsibility where required for laboratory facilities and equipment in which staff work and are designated laboratory supervisors. Seek and drive opportunities for continued service improvement through expert services, training, and scientific and technical advice. Analyse and interpret complex data sets, keeping accurate records, to build evidence and inform design of future experiments; actively communicate findings through written reports, scientific publications and delivery of scientific presentations. Who are we looking for? Our successful candidate will: Experience in one or more of the following: molecular biology, microbiology, and bioinformatics commensurate with biological assay data analysis. Experience in laboratory techniques related to microbiological analysis, ideally of environmental samples. Examples of multi-disciplinary and collaborative working and communicating complex scientific analyses with clarity to a wide audience. Strong analytical and data management skills with the ability to interpret complex data sets. Broad knowledge of engineering biology (engineering microorganisms using modern biotechnology) and the regulation, standardisation, and analytical methods used for their control would be desirable. PhD in biochemistry, biology, molecular microbiology, or similar is desirable. Person Specification: Method of assessment: A=Application, T=Test, I=Interview, P=Presentation Behaviour Criteria: Working Together (A, I) Communicating and Influencing (I) Experience Criteria: Experience in one or more of the following: molecular biology, microbiology, and bioinformatics commensurate with biological assay data analysis (A, I) Experience in laboratory techniques related to microbiological analysis, ideally of environmental samples (A, I) Examples of multi-disciplinary and collaborative working and communicating complex scientific analyses with clarity to a wide audience (A, I) Technical Criteria: Strong analytical and data management skills with the ability to interpret complex data sets (A, I) Knowledge of engineering biology (engineering microorganisms using modern biotechnology) and the regulation, standardisation, and analytical methods used for their control would be desirable (A, I, P) PhD in biochemistry, biology, molecular microbiology, or similar is desirable (A) Strengths Criteria Team Player (I) Organiser (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 The selection process: 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 Experience in one or more of the following: molecular biology, microbiology, and bioinformatics commensurate with biological assay data analysis. 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 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 as soon as possible. Closing date: 25 th January Shortlisting date: from 6 th February Interview date: from 13 th February 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. 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 Florentina Oyelami, Head of Talent Acquisition, Florentina.Oyelami@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