medical laboratory scientist South Mimms, England
Job description
Details
Reference number
Salary
Job grade
Contract type
Length of employment
Business area
Type of role
Working pattern
Number of jobs available
Contents
Location
About the job
Benefits
Things you need to know
Apply and further information
Location
About the job
Job summary
We are currently looking for a Postdoctoral Scientist to join our Research & Development Team within the Scientific Research & Innovation group.
This is a full-time opportunity, on a 24-month fixed term contract/internal move or temporary promotion basis. The role will be based in South Mimms, Hertfordshire. 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 potentially available for some specific roles. Please discuss this with the recruiting 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 Scientific Research and Innovation (SR&I) group delivers public health impact through world-leading research and innovation to support clinical trials and availability of novel medicines. It comprises 6 sub-Groups: Innovation Accelerator, Clinical Investigations and Trials, Research and Development, Standards Lifecycle, Control Testing and Quality Assurance and Health & Safety.
Job description
What’s the role?
The postdoctoral scientist will join the Influenza Resource Centre (IRC) to work on a collaborative, externally funded project to develop a universal influenza vaccine. The main tasks will revolve around the selection, characterisation and production of a new human challenge strain and the standardisation of assays.
Key responsibilities:
- Support principal investigator in management of tasks assigned to MHRA.
- Lead the day-to-day work of the project at MHRA.
- Generation and characterisation of candidate influenza viruses, including animal studies.
- Perform assays as determined by relevant work packages/collaborators.
Person specification
Who are we looking for?
Our successful candidate will:
PhD or equivalent degree in a relevant discipline, ideally with postdoctoral experience in virology.- Laboratory experience with viruses, ideally with influenza virus and with reverse genetics technology, underpinned by theoretical knowledge.
- Experience in carrying out and managing Research and/or Development projects in relevant areas such as standardisation and development of assays, reverse genetics or in vitro and in vivo models of virus infection.
- Communicating and Influencing: Ability to communicate effectively within the team to ensure safe and efficient working in the laboratory and with external collaborators to agree and achieve targets.
- Working Together: Collaborative and flexible style of working, enabling delivery of agreed targets.
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 [email protected]
Benefits
- Annual Leave: 25 days annual leave on entry, rising by one day for each completed year of service to a maximum of 30 days and pro-rata for part-time staff. PLUS 8 bank holidays
- Privilege Leave: 1 day
- Hours of Work: 37 hours (net) per week for full time staff in all geographical locations, including London and pro rata for part-time staff
- Occupational Sick Pay (OSP): One month full pay/one month half pay on entry, rising by one month for each completed year of service to a maximum of five months full pay/five months half pay
- Mobility: Mobility clause in contracts allowing staff to be mobile across the Civil Service
- Civil Service Pension Scheme. Please see the link for further information http://www.civilservicepensionscheme.org.uk/ For enquiries relating to the Civil Service Pension Schemes please contact MyCSP's Pension Service Centre directly on 0300 123 6666
- Flexible working to ensure staff maintain a healthy work-life balance
- Interest free season ticket loan or bike loan
- Employee Assistance Services and access to the Civil Service Benevolent Fund
- Eligibility to join the Civil Service Motoring Association (CSMA)
- Variety of staff and Civil Service clubs
- On-going learning and development
Things you need to know
Selection process details
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 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.- 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- and the statement of suitability 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.
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
Civil Service Commission
Room G/8
1 Horse Guards Road
London
SW1A 2HQ
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
- relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
- certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals
Working for the Civil Service
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
Apply and further information
Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
Recruitment team
Further information
