Software and AI Lead

We are currently looking for a Software & AI Lead to join our Software & AI Team within the Innovation & Compliance Group.

This is a full-time opportunity, on a permanent basis. The role will be based in 10 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf London, E14 4PU.

Government departments and agencies are working towards implementing a minimum 60% attendance in office sites.

We are currently implementing a flexible, hybrid way of working, with a minimum of 8 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 12 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. It is made up of c.1,600 staff working across three principal locations and peripatetically across the UK and abroad.

Our culture prioritises public health impact, collaboration, accountability, learning and innovation, and we offer flexible working, strong learning and development support, and the benefits of Civil Service employment.

About the Division

This post is based in the Software and AI team, which is part of the Innovation and Compliance Group.

The team provides technical, policy and regulatory leadership on software and AI-enabled medical devices through a range of safety, regulatory, policy and technical activities, including reviewing of clinical investigations, reviewing technical files to underpin compliance activity, developing innovative policy and programmes and working with international partners.

In response to commitments in the 10 Year Health Plan, the MHRA established an expert, non-statutory National Commission into the Regulation of AI in Healthcare to inform the development of a future regulatory framework for AI in healthcare. The Commission published its recommendations in September 2026, intended to help ensure that patients in Great Britain have timely access to safe and effective AI technologies. The team will lead relevant regulatory implementation, including the development of an updated framework for AI-enabled medical devices.

Role Purpose

The postholder will be based in the Software and AI team and will contribute across policy, regulatory and technical work. They will play a pivotal role in shaping the UK’s approach to AI governance in healthcare, helping to ensure that regulatory frameworks are evidence-based, future-focused and aligned with the public interest. The precise balance of responsibilities will reflect the postholder’s skills and experience and the team’s business needs.

Key responsibilities and results areas:

Service Delivery

• Develop policy and support the implementation of regulatory change for software and AI-enabled medical devices through legislative reform, guidance and practical advice to stakeholders.
• Work closely with other regulators, government departments and external stakeholders to build consensus on AI regulation for medical products and medicines, informing MHRA policy, regulatory and programme work.
• Represent the Agency at internal and external meetings, providing authoritative, concise and up-to-date advice on high-profile and topical regulatory issues to technical, non-technical and senior audiences.
• Contribute to and, where required, coordinate a responsive briefings function, producing clear briefings, presentations, parliamentary responses, correspondence and senior-level advice at pace and to a high standard.

Service Improvement

• Support delivery of team priorities by planning and producing high-quality content for meetings, events and leadership discussions that enable effective collaboration on software and AI regulation in healthcare.
• Coordinate meetings, events and collaborative activity across the Agency, government and partner organisations to support delivery of defined objectives.
• Support communications and engagement activity across a range of channels, working with communications teams and private offices in the MHRA, DHSC and wider government to deliver clear and impactful outputs.

Leadership and Management

• Build and maintain effective stakeholder relationships across organisations, regulators, government departments and external partners, using appropriate engagement and project tools to support well-coordinated delivery.
• Exercise initiative, attention to detail and resourcefulness when working independently and as part of a team, including by developing an understanding of relevant policy, regulatory, technical and operational issues.
• Take responsibility for personal development with your line manager, building knowledge of new device areas and technology-enabled healthcare in response to changing business needs.

General

• Work as a member of project teams to plan and deliver defined objectives to agreed standards and deadlines, managing competing priorities and dependencies as required.

The job description is not intended to be exhaustive, and it is likely that duties may be altered from time to time in the light of changing circumstances and after consultation with the postholder.

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 – 18 November 2026 at 23:55
• Sifting – from 25 November 2026
• Main panel interviews – from 09 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. Pre-sift Stage

An initial sift will be conducted on the experience question which has a word limit of 250 words. If you are assessed as not meeting the required level, you will not be progressed past this stage.

Question: "Provide an example that demonstrates your experience of governance, policy or regulation in one or more of the following areas: AI, medical devices, digital health, or another relevant healthcare environment. Explain your personal contribution and the outcome or impact of your work.”

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.
• Personal statement: demonstrating how you meet the Behaviour criteria in no more than 1,000 words.
• 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.

Your interview will include:

• Presentation, to be prepared as part of your interview, with further information being 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

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.