Description We are currently looking for a Higher Scientist, Molecular assays and immunochemistry to join our Control Testing Team within the Science, Research and Innovation group. This is a full-time opportunity, on a permanent basis. The role will be lab based in South Mimms, Hertfordshire. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas. We are open to flexible working requests, please discuss this with the hiring 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 Science, Research and Innovation Group delivers public health impact, world-leading research innovation, and a unique proposition 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 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. What’s the role? The post-holder will be responsible for responding to and assisting with the planning and managing of day-to-day resource to achieve outcomes to meet relevant agency Key Performance Indicator (KPIs). The successful candidate will work primarily in the Immunochemistry assays team, developing and performing accurately and with attention to detail, a range of analytical techniques, including but not limited to, ELISA-based assays and immunodiffusion. However, there is an expectation that the successful candidate will be flexible and adapt to changing priorities by working across other test areas which may include Separation science, cell-based assays, molecular assays and biochemical assays. Key responsibilities: Be accountable to the Immunochemistry Team Lead and work with the team to ensure timely delivery of testing of biological medicines compliant with relevant quality standards, including ISO17025 and other relevant quality systems, monitored through internal and external audits. Contribute to analytical tests with expertise in specific assays, analysing data, identifying issues and support resolutions, providing advice to colleagues across the Agency to support the product lifecycle, including product research, biological standardization, regulatory decisions, and adverse event investigations. Assays will include, but will not be limited to, immunoassays (eg ELISAs, immunodiffusion). Engage with national and international external stakeholders, as required by the Team Lead, including other National Control Laboratories, World Health Organization (WHO), European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines (EDQM), academic institutes etc to deliver expert services, training, scientific and technical advice to support the statutory functions. Manage the day-to-day implementation and delivery of strategic objectives of the Control Testing function, improvements in patient outcomes through organisation of resources, process improvement and changes in working practices including through training and innovative assay development – work with team leads in Control Testing to develop opportunities for cross-training of analysts across different analytical disciplines to help provide resilience. Who are we looking for? Our successful candidate will: Hold a degree in a relevant field or equivalent experience. This may include experience in immunoassays (eg ELISAs, immunodiffusion). Broad laboratory experience in other areas is desirable eg HPLC, cell-based assays, molecular or biochemical techniques, ideally for the analysis of biological medicines, including vaccines and blood-derived products. Experience of method development and / or validation, including the understanding and use of statistical packages to analyse and present data for method development, validation, data management and monitoring. Experience of working accurately and precisely with attention to detail, typically achieved through working within a quality management system, ISO17025 or similar. Experience of using a Laboratory Information Management System for accurate data capture, data analysis and review is desirable. Demonstrable ability to collaborate and communicate in a straightforward, honest and engaging manner, within and across teams, to achieve objectives by sharing information and resources and supporting team-working and time-management. Establish professional relationships with a range of stakeholders. Have a focus on team priorities to deliver timely results, whilst also delivering change to achieve strategic objectives. Strength in analytical and problem-solving ability. To seek, identify and analyse information from a range of sources to inform decisions based on the best available evidence. Take a positive approach to tackling problems, finding ways to identify and evaluate suitable solutions. Person Specification: Method of assessment: A=Application, I=Interview Behaviour Criteria: Working Together (A, I) Delivering at Pace (A, I) Experience Criteria: Experience of working accurately and precisely with attention to detail, typically achieved through working within a quality management system, ISO17025 or similar. Experience of using a Laboratory Information Management System for accurate data capture, data analysis and review is desirable (A, I) Experience of method development and validation, including the understanding and use of statistical packages to analyse and present data for method development, validation, data management and monitoring (A, I) Technical Criteria: Experience in immunoassays (eg ELISAs, immunodiffusion). Broad laboratory experience in other areas is desirable eg HPLC, cell-based assays, molecular or biochemical techniques, ideally for the analysis of biological medicines, including vaccines and blood-derived products (A, I) A Degree in a relevant field, or equivalent experience (A) Strengths Criteria Analytical (I) Problem Solver (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 immunoassays (eg ELISAs, immunodiffusion) and A Degree in a relevant field, or equivalent experience. 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: 6 th January 2026 Shortlisting date: from 12 th January 2026 Interview date: from 19 th January 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. 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