Job Description
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 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 (R&D) function delivers 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.
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 Functions of SR&I Standards Lifecycle, Control Testing and R&D in all aspects of in vivo science. The facility is provisioned to manage activities with a wide species including at different biocontainment 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 always maintained.
What's the role?
The role holder will use their knowledge and skills to perform a diverse range of
in-vivo
scientific procedures on a variety of laboratory animal species including at higher containment levels, including injections, blood and tissue sampling, and safe use of anaesthetics: this will involve expert safe animal handling and restraint techniques, and the ability to use specialised equipment associated with procedural duties.
The procedures performed will be in support of work programmes led by project licence holders and senior scientists across the Standards Lifecycle, Control Testing and R&D sub-groups of SR&I. Within Biological Services the role holders will receive instruction and guidance from senior staff and Named Persons under ASPA.
In addition to specific procedures the role holder will contribute to the maintenance of high standards for the care and welfare of a variety of animal species, including non-human primates (NHPs) housed in the biological services facility in support of the Agency programmes of work that require
in- vivo
models. There is the expectation of contribution to the provision of evening, weekend and Bank Holiday cover for the care of animals
Responsibilities
All responsibilities are performed in accordance with relevant Standard Operating Procedures, Codes of Practice and appropriate legislation, regulatory guidelines and compliance, including:
* Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act 1986 (ASPA)
* Quality Standard ISO/IEC 17025
* Local Health and Safety Codes of Practice
Key res
ponsibilities and results areas
* Scientific Procedures for in vivo testing work: t his requires an experienced holder of a Home Office Personal Licence, detailed knowledge of ASPA legislation, and an awareness of the parameters set out for procedures.
* Ensuring all testing protocols are fully compliant with the relevant legislative requirements.
* Taking primary responsibility for the animals under which staff member's Personal Licence is applied, including awareness of test severity limits and adverse reactions.
* Performing a diverse range of in vivo scientific procedures on a variety of laboratory animal species at all containment levels, including injections, blood and tissue sampling, safe use of anaesthetics, and performing tissue dissections: this will involve expert safe animal handling and restraint techniques, and the ability to use specialised equipment associated with procedural duties.
* Advising scientific staff of the general health and condition of the animals, which may be affected by the regulated procedures performed.This will include reporting on any adverse effects observed e.g drafting of SC18 reports
* Detailed observations of animals for the collection of scientific data; this will involve an awareness of normal animal behaviour.
* Completion of reports to relevant scientists.
* Discussions with the Named Veterinary Surgeon (NVS) and the Named Animal Care and Welfare Officer (NACWO), concerning animal health and welfare.
* Development and application of scoring systems for the accurate assessment of clinical symptoms.This may include the 'end-point' for individual animals.
* Performing supplemental support procedures such as surgical preparation and humane euthanasia.
* Checking and monitoring required equipment used in support of in vivo work.
* Ensuring accuracy and consistency of in vivo procedures to meet requirements of ISO/IEC 17025 & 9001 quality system.
* Care and welfare of a variety of animal species, including non-human primates (NHPs): ensuring all animals are cared for and maintained to the highest standards of health and welfare. This will primarily involve work at Biological Containment Level (CL) 2: but also some work at CL3, and may also include work at CL4. Appropriate training being provided for both CL3 and CL4.
* Responsible for specified animal holding rooms and the daily care of the animals within, including provision of food/water, cleaning of cages, room hygiene routines and restock of materials.
* Performing health checks/formal observations on animals.
* Performing minor veterinary treatments for sick or injured animals under advice from Named Animal Care and Welfare Officer (NACWO) or Named Veterinary Surgeon (NVS).
* Contributing to environmental enrichment initiatives for the animals.
* Able to cover all CL2 areas in BS.
* Monitoring and recording of room environmental conditions.
* Receiving and checking animal deliveries from suppliers.
* Breeding of mouse strains, including genetically altered animals.
* Incubation of fertile chicken eggs and daily maintenance of incubators.
* Cover duties out of normal working hours, including weekends and Bank Holidays
* Additional Divisional organisational or support duties: involvement in activities which contribute to the overall service of Biological Services.
* Act as a nominated Deputy for a local specified responsible role (quality management, H&S, business continuity etc.).
* Organisation of a small team for specified in vivo testing procedures or specialised husbandry tasks (breeding colonies, health screening, enrichment initiatives etc.)
* Training other staff in specific and specialised tasks
* Additional tasks:
* General cleaning of designated procedural rooms, including restock of materials.
* May include control of internal stores, including ordering of items to resupply
* Sterilisation/ disinfection/ fumigation of animal holding rooms at end of study.
* Preparation of clean rooms to receive animal deliveries.
* Involvement with writing and reviewing of Standard Operating Procedures and other controlled documentation.
* Contributing to group or staff meetings as required, including reporting on external courses attended.
* Maintaining awareness of Health and Safety issues as an Employee and reporting problems to Line Manager or Safety Advocate.
* Involvement with preparation and reviewing of risk assessments.
* Commitment to CPD and taking opportunities for personal development through training and attendance at relevant courses/meetings.
* Additional specific responsibilities as defined by line manager may be assigned from time to time.
The job description is not intended to be exhaustive, and it is likely that responsibilities and outcomes may be altered from time to time in the light of changing circumstances and after consultation with the postholder.
Who are we looking for?
Our successful candidate will demonstrate the following.
* Delivering at Pace
* Developing Self and Others
* Seeing the Big Picture
* Practical and proven experience in the use of a Home Office Personal Licence with a range of common laboratory species and techniques and at a range of containment levels, for in vivo testing.
* Practical experience of working in the animal technology field, including daily husbandry, handling and restraint, dealing with health issues and evidence of a commitment to high standards of animal welfare.
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
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 candidates must have p
ractical experience of working in the animal technology field, including daily husbandry, handling and restraint, dealing with health issues and evidence of a commitment to high standards of animal welfare.
Candidates must also h
old a current Home Office Personal Licence or has recently held a Home Office Personal Licence with evidence of appropriate training & competency for species, techniques and working at different containment levels.
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
as soon as possible.
Closing date: 19 th October 2025
Shortlisting date: 20 th October 2025
Interview date: from 3 rd November 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
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 .
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 Oleylami, Head of Talent Acquisition, .
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission at:
Civil Service Commission
Room G/8
1 Horse Guards Road
London
SW1A 2HQ
About Us
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.