Scientist - £35,379 p.a. + benefits

We are currently looking for a Scientist to join our Control Testing Function within the Science and Research Group.

This is a full-time opportunity, on a permanent 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.

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 Group (NIBSC-MHRA) delivers public health impact, world-leading regulatory research innovation, biological standards and medicines control testing. It is divided into 4 Functions, Research and Development, Standards Lifecycle, Control Testing and Quality Assurance and Health & Safety.

The role is within the Cell-Based Assays team, focusing on cell-based assays used to characterise biological medicines as part of the Agency’s independent batch release function. There is a requirement for excellent coordination and communication with all teams in the Control Testing function as well as in the Research & Development (R&D) and Biological Standardisation functions to support analytical requirements for the Agency.

The teams within Control Testing perform a range of analytical techniques that focus on cell-based assays, molecular analysis, immunochemistry, separation science and biochemical methods.

The role primarily facilitates the independent control testing of biological medicines, including blood products and vaccines, helping to ensure patients have access to new and existing products. They will be responsible for accurate data entry and review in support of product testing. Responsible for planning and managing of day-to-day resource within the team to achieve outcomes and meet relevant agency Key Performance Indicators (KPIs).

The role may also work with colleagues across the Agency from external or public health organisations to provide specialist scientific and analytical expertise, supporting related activities such as R&D, biological standardisation, clinical trials and product approval, independent medicines testing or adverse event investigations.

The role may represent Control Testing within the Agency, liaising with colleagues in other groups, and externally via attendance/presentation at scientific conferences or workshops or through interactions with product manufacturers, to ensure effective work processes and current understanding of products requiring independent batch release, relevant technical developments, and product R&D.

A Bachelor’s degree in a relevant scientific field, or equivalent laboratory experience.

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 – 16 November 2026 at 23:55
• Sifting – from 23 November 2026
• Main panel interviews – from 7 December 2026

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. Sift Stage

The main sift, where we'll read and score 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.
• Personal statement: Write a 750-word personal statement where you demonstrate how you meet the skills required for this role, providing examples to evidence your level of skill. In your personal statement we are looking for evidence of how you meet the role criteria and person specification. Your personal statement should aim to make use of the full wordcount and show how you meet the above criteria. Please give clear and specific examples of what you have done personally and the impact it has had.
• 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.

2. 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.

Your interview will include:

• Test, further information will be supplied when you reach this stage.

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
• Technical, as listed in the person specification
• Strengths

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview.

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.