Media (Reagents) Co-ordinator - £35,379 p.a. + benefits

We are currently looking for a Media (Reagents) Coordinator to join our Infrastructure and Laboratory Services Function within the Corporate Group.

This is a full-time opportunity, 12 month fixed term contract, internal move, loan or temporary promotion basis. This role will be based on-site at our Science Campus in South Mimms, Hertfordshire. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas.

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.

Infrastructure and Laboratory Services (I&LS) are part of the Corporate Division and provide engineering and specialist staff to deliver a safe working environment for staff, particularly in our specialist scientific facilities. They support the Agency work by having clear funded programmes to maintain the infrastructure, facilities and equipment as well as money to invest in unique scientific facilities and a centralised support process to, where appropriate, deliver efficiencies, savings and value for money. The Division has three departments:

• Facilities & Laboratory Services – day to day running & support of sites, laboratories and other specialised facilities, security, catering, cleaning, waste and 10SC liaison for 10th Floor
• Engineering – Management of engineeringly complex buildings and infrastructure, adhering to critical health and safety requirements and responding to alarms 24/7
• Specialist Project & Programme Management – of the Capital programme by providing Project Management / project engineering as required for: building alterations, lab refurbs including high containment, acquisition, installation and commissioning of new plant, equipment and digital IT and special programmes

Role Purpose

The post holder is responsible for providing Reagents (Media) to Science, Research and Innovation (S,R&I). Responsible for the production of a large range of different Reagents and ensuring stock of a range of media are available at all times to allow S,R&I to deliver its statutory functions. In addition, this post is responsible for providing a back-up service to the Microbiologist role, undertaking various microbiological techniques.

Key responsibilities

• Responsible for the production of a wide range of specialised Reagents (Media) to high quality standards and within required timescales, ensuring it meets customer specifications to support S,R&I to meet the needs of the science.
• Accountable for ensuring stocks of Reagents and chemicals are maintained at all times and to the quality and specification required by S,R&I.
• Responsible for weekly, daily and other checks on laboratory equipment and ensuring planned preventative maintenance is undertaken on key equipment, such that it is maintained, calibrated and fit for use at all times, and documenting these checks.
• Responsible for undertaking tests and checks to support the installation and validation of new equipment.
• Actively contribute and take part in reviews of the Reagents service provision, equipment, processes and procedures to identify and propose improvements and efficiencies to reduce time and cost for production of Reagents.
• To provide training, guidance and advice to Agency staff in all aspects of the Reagents role as required.
• Responsible for providing a back-up to the Microbiologist role, undertaking environmental monitoring, sterility testing in their absence.

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.

Key dates

• Closing date 26 October 2026 at 23.55
• Sifting – From 27 October 2026
• Main panel interviews – 11 November 2026 (interviews will be on site at our Science Campus in South Mimms)

Communications will be electronic via email therefore it is important that you check your Civil Service Jobs account regularly, as well as your spam/junk email folder.

We’re committed to being diverse and inclusive, so please make your application anonymous by removing all identifying personal information (such as names and dates) from your employment history and personal statement.

What will the process look like?

1. Pre-sift Stage

An initial sift will be conducted on the experience question which has a word limit of 300 words. If you are assessed as not meeting the required level, you will not be progressed past this stage.

Question: "Please describe your experience with Reagent (Media) production? (maximum 300 words).

2. Sift Stage

The main sift, where we'll read and score the rest of your application. This may involve a large number of applications, please bear with us as this can take some time.

• Anonymised CV which sets out your career history, previous experience and skills, highlighting specific responsibilities that are relevant for this role.
• 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.

The panel will look at your application and are looking for evidence of the stated points. We may raise the benchmark score required if we receive a high number of applications.

3. Main Panel Interview

Successful candidates from the sift stage will be invited to attend an interview. We use a blended interview technique, allowing us to find out more about you. We use the Success Profile framework and at interview we will be assessing Behaviours and Experience.

At interview, we will be asking questions relating to the following:

• Behaviours, as listed in the person specification
• Experience, as listed in the person specification
• Strengths

If you require any disability related adjustments at any point during the process, please contact careers@mhra.gov.uk as soon as possible.

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.

Individuals appointed on level transfer will retain their existing salary and are responsible for ensuring they fully understand the financial implications of any potential move and the impact (if any) on their terms. If an individual is in any doubt, they should seek clarification before accepting a job offer.

Staff joining on promotion will receive up to a 10% increase of their current basic salary, or the pay band minimum, whichever is the greater.

The individual will not retain any allowances paid by the former department/Agency, unless there are special circumstances, such as a reserved right to those allowances on transfer.

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.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.