Role Overview & Mandate
Executive Summary
We are currently looking for a Higher Scientist- (Shigella Vaccine Standards) to join our Research and Development Team within...
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We are currently looking for a Higher Scientist- (Shigella Vaccine Standards) to join our Research and Development Team within the Scientific Research and Innovation group.
This is a full-time opportunity, on an 18-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 Group delivers public health impact, world-leading research innovation, and a unique regulatory proposition for patients and users via an ambitious Science Strategy which will balance innovation against sustainability and affordability. It is divided into 6 sub-Groups, Innovation Accelerator, Clinical Investigations and Trials, Research and Development, Standards Lifecycle, Control Testing and Quality Assurance and Health & Safety
Research and Development (R&D) delivers an internationally leading programme that supports development of and access to novel biological medicines, biological standards, diagnostics, vaccines, biotherapeutics and advanced therapy medicinal products.
What’s the role?
Shigellosis is an important cause of global morbidity and mortality in humans and vaccines are being developed to control the disease. Functional immunological assays, which serve as correlates of protection have been developed to evaluate the novel vaccines. The role of the scientist will be to optimise and run functional bactericidal assays within the South Mimms laboratory, to coordinate multi-centre international studies to assess the assay performance across laboratories worldwide.
Key responsibilities:
- Accountable to Principal Scientist in the Vesicular Vaccines group, to work on Shigella vaccine projects as required
- Development and optimisation of a serum bactericidal antibody (SBA) assay to measure functional anti-Shigella antibody responses
- Organisation of an inter-laboratory study to assess performance of SBA methods for measuring anti-Shigella antibodies in human serum
- Present updates and results of the project at internal project meetings and at meetings with external stakeholders
Who are we looking for?
Our successful candidate will:
- Practical experience in one or more of: immunological assays, mammalian or bacterial cell culture, recombinant protein production and purification, neutralisation or bactericidal assays, or molecular biology techniques
- Experience of growing various fastidious and non-fastidious Gram positive or Gram-negative bacteria in a wide range of bacterial broth or agar culture media; and subsequent enumeration of colony forming units.
- Good analytical and data management skills with the ability to interpret complex data sets
- Communicating and Influencing: Communicate in a straightforward, honest, and engaging manner, choosing appropriate styles to maximise understanding and impact. Share information as appropriate and check understanding
- Working Together: Collaborate with team and other scientific staff groups to share information, resources, and support team-working and good time-management. Establish professional relationships with a range of stakeholders
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. 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.
- 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- 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 careers@mhra.gov.uk as soon as possible.
Closing date: 13/03/2023
Interview date: 22/03/2023
If you need assistance applying for this role or have any other questions, please contact careers@mhra.gov.uk
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 careers@mhra.gov.uk.
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, Mira.Mepa@mhra.gov.uk.
If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission at: civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk
info@csc.gov.uk
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