Description We are currently looking for a Biological Sciences Facility Manager to join our Analytical and Biological Science team within the Research & Development function within the Science, Research & Innovation group. This is a full-time opportunity, on a permanent basis. The role will be primarily site based in South Mimms, Hertfordshire. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas. 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 Science, Research and Innovation Group (SR&I) 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 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 future biological medicines. Research and Development (R&D) will host and nurture the current excellence in research into biological reference materials, biological activity measurements, product quality testing and standardisation that is currently hosted by the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC). Analytical and Biological Sciences (ABS) is a multi-laboratory, multi-disciplinary team of experts within R&D. Both in vitro and in vivo methods are used to deliver practical laboratory analysis, experimentation and expertise aligned the Agency objectives. Biological Services, within ABS supports three sub-groups of SR&I; Standards Lifecycle, Control Testing and R&D in all aspects of in vivo experimentation. The division houses a range of species across two floors at different containment levels up to and including containment level 3 (CL3) and Specified Animal Pathogen Order 4 (SAPO4). A highly trained and professional technical team care for the animals and perform the scientific procedures, underpinned by a specialist support team, ensuring the highest standards of animal welfare are maintained at all times. What’s the role? The Biological Sciences Facility Manager oversees the day-to-day operations of the Biological Services unit, ensuring excellence in animal care, housing, and scientific use. The role is crucial in supporting the agency’s statutory duties in regulatory research, preparation of reference materials, and biological medicines evaluation. This includes a strong focus on infectious disease studies, biological medicines, countermeasures, and biologics. As an expert in animal technology, the role holder will lead a highly skilled technical team, ensuring compliance with ethical and legal standards. Additionally, they will act as the primary liaison between Biological Services and facilities teams to ensure effective and proactive operation and maintenance of the animal housing facility. Key responsibilities: Oversee the daily operations of the animal facility, including resource deployment for scientific and husbandry needs, during the working week, weekends and out-of-hours requirements. Be the liaison point with the Infrastructure and Facilities team on facility projects, ranging from minor repairs to major refurbishments, ensuring compliance with legal and ethical standards. Act as a deputy for the Head of Biological Services when required. Oversee contracts and procurement processes related to the Unit operations. Coordinate document reviews and updates for Quality Management and Health & Safety to ensure compliance. Collaborate with the Establishment Licence Holder, Home Office Liaison Contact, and Named Persons to maintain compliance with Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 and health and safety regulations. Monitor animal welfare, husbandry, and regulated procedures, ensuring adherence to the highest ethical and scientific standards. Who are we looking for? Our successful candidate will have: A degree and higher qualification in life sciences and/or equivalent Institute of Animal Technology (IAT) level 6 qualification or Fellowship and significant relevant experience Registered Animal Technician status Experience of specialist working within the Animal Technology field e.g. biocontainment systems (at CL3 as a minimum), GM breeding programmes, technical procedures (e.g. surgical procedures) Demonstratable extensive experience and knowledge of working to ASPA Extensive experience of developing, leading, and fostering a high performing team of staff, including acting as a mentor, and issue resolution 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 Presentation, to be prepared as part of your interview, with further information being supplied when you reach this stage. Interview, which can include questions based on the Behaviour, Experience, Technical and Strengths Success Profiles. 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 Applicants must ensure that anything submitted is factually accurate and truthful. Plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own. 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: 19 September 2025 Shortlisting date: 22 September 2025 Interview date: from W/C 6 October 2025 Candidates will be contacted within a week of the sift and the interviews completed to inform them of the outcome. 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. 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