We are currently looking for a Higher Scientist - Genomics to join our Research & Development function within the Science, Research & Innovation group.

This is a full-time opportunity, on a fixed term contract/loan/secondment/internal move or temporary promotion basis for maternity cover, expected to last for 12 months. 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.

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 Diagnostics Team in the R&D function of the SR&I group comprises a multi-disciplinary team of internationally respected scientists whose focus is on the regulatory research required to ensure safe and effective Biotherapeutic and Advanced Therapy medicines are available to patients.

What’s the role?

The role encompasses two main areas:

Supporting the activities required to manage the material production facility.
Contributing to regulatory research within the Genomics team, focused on the standardisation of molecular diagnostics.

Key responsibilities:

Support the management of a newly established material production facility through document control, equipment servicing, and general laboratory housekeeping.
Assist facility users by providing training and support as required.
Create, maintain, and characterise cell banks to support ongoing standardisation projects.
Employ state-of-the-art genomic technologies to characterise candidate materials for genomics standardisation.
Demonstrate strong attention to detail, ensuring all work is conducted in accordance with SOPs and applicable regulatory requirements.
Communicate effectively with colleagues, maintain high-quality records, present data at group and departmental levels, and contribute to reports and peer-reviewed manuscripts as needed.
Work flexibly across multiple projects within the divisional scientific programme, both independently and collaboratively, adhering to agreed project timelines.

Who are we looking for?

Our successful candidate will have:

MSc in a relevant biological science or BSc with minimum 1 year relevant laboratory experience, for example Molecular Biology, Cellular Biology, Biological Science, Biomedical Science or Biochemistry.
Proven experience in creating, maintaining, and characterising cell banks for research projects
An understanding of principles and current practices of cancer genomic molecular diagnostics.
Excellent analytical skills, interpreting and presenting data using appropriate software.
Demonstrable Behaviours of ‘Delivering at Pace’, ‘Working Together’ and ‘Communicating and Influencing’

If you would like to find out more about this fantastic opportunity, please read our Job Description and Person Specification!

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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.

In the instance that we receive a high number of applications, we will hold an initial sift based on the Experience criteria. If you adequately demonstrate the Experience criteria in your application, we will then score the remainder of your application in full. The highest overall scoring applicants from the second sift would then be invited to interview.

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: 30 August 2025

Shortlisting date: 5 September 2025

Interview date: 22 - 27 September 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.

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

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1 Horse Guards Road

London

SW1A 2HQ

Support the management of a newly established material production facility through document control, equipment servicing, and general laboratory housekeeping.
Assist facility users by providing training and support as required.
Create, maintain, and characterise cell banks to support ongoing standardisation projects.
Utilise state-of-the-art genomic technologies to characterise candidate materials for standardisation efforts.
Demonstrate strong attention to detail, ensuring all work is conducted in accordance with SOPs and applicable regulatory requirements.
Communicate effectively with colleagues, maintain high-quality records, present data at group and departmental levels, and contribute to reports and peer-reviewed manuscripts as needed.
Work flexibly across multiple projects within the divisional scientific programme, both independently and collaboratively, adhering to agreed project timelines.

MSc in a relevant biological science or BSc with minimum 1 year relevant laboratory experience, for example Molecular Biology, Cellular Biology, Biological Science, Biomedical Science or Biochemistry.
Practical experience in a range of molecular and cell biology techniques and knowledge of good laboratory practice, for example mammalian cell culture, qPCR/dPCR and NGS.

About Us

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.

Higher Scientist - Genomics

Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)

Higher Scientist - Genomics

Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)