Scientist - Cell Therapy - £32,617 p.a. + benefits
Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency
Apply before 11:55 pm on Tuesday 21st January 2025
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About the job
Job summary
We are currently looking for a Scientist – Cell Therapy to join our Research & Development function within the Science, Research & Innovation group.
This is a full-time opportunity, on a permanent basis. The role will be lab 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 MHRA Science and Research 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 4 sub-Groups, Research and Development, Standards Lifecycle, Control Testing and Quality Assurance and Health & Safety.
Within the Research and Development sup-group, the Biotherapeutics and Advanced Therapies Division delivers a programme of regulatory research and standards development to support the clinical development of innovative medicines. These include Advanced Therapies Medicinal Products (ATMPs), such as cell and gene therapy products, monoclonal antibodies, immunotherapies and protein-based biotherapeutics.
What’s the role?
The scientist will be a key member of the Cell Therapies team, contributing to a range of research, standardisation and operational activities. Areas of interest include the development of reference reagents for mesenchymal stromal cell and pluripotent stem cell-derived therapies, and the implementation of automated, scale-up cell culture solutions to deliver clinical benefits.
Job description
Key responsibilities:
- Delivery on cell therapies research and standardisation projects, following agreed objectives.
- Cell culture, cell banking and quality control testing of human and animal cell lines, mesenchymal stem cells, and pluripotent stem cells and their derivatives, following project plans and standard operating procedures.
- Performing and optimising analytical and functional assays.
- Maintaining accurate and detailed records of laboratory activities.
- Writing and reviewing quality documentation, including standard operating procedures, COSHH and risk assessments, and contributing to health and safety inspections.
Person specification
Our successful candidate will have:
- Degree level education in a field relevant to cell therapies, preferably with related postgraduate laboratory experience.
- Interest in and knowledge of cell-based advanced therapies and the scientific and regulatory challenges in this field.
- Proficiency in cell culture and aseptic technique.
- Experience in completing research project(s), gathering and analysing data and delivering meaningful scientific interpretation.
- Experience in molecular and cell biology techniques, such as microscopy, flow cytometry and qPCR.
If you would like to find out more about this fantastic opportunity, please read our Job Description and Person Specification!
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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
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.
- 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.
In the instance that we receive a high number of applications, we will hold an initial sift based on the lead criteria of ‘Experience in completing research project(s), gathering and analysing data and delivering meaningful scientific interpretation’.
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 criteria for this role in the job description.
Use of AI in Job Applications
Applicants must ensure that anything submitted is factually accurate and truthful. Plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own.
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: 21 January 2024
Shortlisting date: 24 January 2024
Interview date: 31 January – 7 February 2025
Candidates will be contacted within a week of the sift and the interviews completed to inform them of the outcome.
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
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Job contact :
- Name : The Recruitment Team
- Email : careers@mhra.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : careers@mhra.gov.uk
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