Lead Scientist London, England
Job description
We are currently looking for a Lead BP Scientist to join our Standards & Compliance Team within the Healthcare Quality & Access group.
This is a full-time opportunity, on a permanent basis. The role will be based in 10 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf London/ or Remote Working*. Please discuss this with the recruiting manager before accepting an appointment.
Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas. We are currently implementing a flexible, hybrid way of working, with a minimum of 4 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 8 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 also available for this role, with occasional travel to our London office. Please discuss this with the recruiting manager before accepting an appointment. Salary arrangements depend on home location with London-based employees receiving London rate of £41,185.
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 objective of the Healthcare Quality and Access Group is to drive quality and critically appraise benefits and risks to inform robust decisions on healthcare access including accelerated access pathways. It does this by bringing together a fusion of our capabilities across both medicines and medical devices to enable licensing and market access, as well as ensuring compliance with regulations and standards.
The Standards & Compliance function enables innovation and healthcare access across the global product lifecycle by risk proportionate standards development and compliance through the British Pharmacopoeia and MHRA Laboratory, the Inspectorate, the Inspection Action Group and Devices Audit and Compliance.
What’s the role?
You will use your scientific expertise to support the development of legally binding standards in the British Pharmacopoeia (BP) and the establishment of supporting BP Chemical Reference Substances.
You will manage and influence external Expert Advisory Groups, international stakeholders or key suppliers to ensure we get the right scientific advice and service delivery.
You will help support the future development of our Pharmacopoeia and Regulatory Science strategies.
Key responsibilities:
- To contribute and support the work of the BP Commission including working with colleagues and groups of independent experts to develop and implement appropriate quality standards and guidance which contribute to the protection of public health.
- To ensure that the interests of the BP and Laboratory Services Group are promoted strongly and positively through appropriate communication and joint working with internal and external organisations.
- To support the contract management, performance and delivery of the BP publication and laboratory services suppliers.
- To lead or assist specific scientific or delivery areas/projects to ensure or improve the standards and services that we provide to our users. For example, activities such as coordinating the work to produce the text for the BP and BP Vet, development of scientific strategy/policy and coordinating the unit’s recruitment, training and development activities.
Who are we looking for?
Our successful candidate will:
- Communicating and Influencing - Communicate in a straightforward, honest and engaging manner, choosing appropriate styles to maximise understanding and impact. Ensure communication has a clear purpose and takes into account people’s individual needs. Share information as appropriate and check understanding. Show positivity and enthusiasm towards work, encouraging others to do the same.
- Making effective decisions - Analyse and use a range of relevant, credible information from internal and external sources to support decisions. Invite challenge and where appropriate involve others in decision making. Consult with others to ensure the potential impacts on end users have been considered. Present strong recommendations in a timely manner outlining the consideration of other options, costs, benefits and risks.
- Have a knowledge of the work of pharmacopoeias and the content of quality standards for medicines.
- Have in-depth experience of working within the pharmaceutical industry or in-depth experience of setting or testing to quality standards for medicinal products
- Have a good knowledge of analytical techniques and processes, chemical, physical or biological.
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 and a Statement of Suitability, attached as a PDF demonstrating how you meet the person specification. 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. Please ensure not to include any personal identifying information on your supporting information.
- 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 statement of suitability and 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.
If you require any disability related adjustments at any point during the process, please contact [email protected] as soon as possible.
Closing date: 27/08/2023
Interview date: W/C 07/09/2023
If you need assistance applying for this role or have any other questions, please contact [email protected]
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 [email protected].
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 Mira Mepa, Head of Recruitment and Operations, [email protected].
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission at: civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk
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