MHRA Graduate Scheme - £32,617 p.a. + benefits
Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency
Apply before 11:55 pm on Monday 10th March 2025
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About the job
Job summary
Are you a graduate looking to join an ambitious, innovative organisation and a key partner at the centre of the UK’s health system? Are you a bright, academically rigorous individual with high standards, motivated by making a tangible difference to public health and patients' lives? If so, this is the Graduate Scheme for you.
This is a full-time opportunity, on a 36-month fixed term contract basis, starting in September 2025. Scheme participants will be based in Canary Wharf or South Mimms, Hertfordshire dependent on allocated placements. A degree of hybrid and flexible working will be possible, but the extent of this will depend upon the placement.
Who are we?
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency enhances and improves the health of millions of people every day through the effective regulation of medicines and medical devices, underpinned by science and research.
If you have had a COVID-19 vaccine, or have ever taken a medicine, or used a medical device, then you have already benefitted from the MHRA’s work. Our vision is to be a truly world-leading, enabling sovereign regulator, protecting public health through excellence in regulation and science and delivering the right outcomes for patients.
What is the MHRA Graduate Scheme?
The MHRA Graduate Scheme is a three-year graduate development scheme that provides an exciting opportunity to play a critical role in protecting public health and positively influencing patient safety.
Joining a cohort of 8 graduates, you will have the opportunity to undertake several placements working closely with highly skilled multidisciplinary teams across our three core operating groups: (1) Science Research and Innovation (2) Healthcare Quality and Access (3) and Safety and Surveillance.
The scheme provides a fully financially supported study package towards a Level 7 (degree level) apprenticeship in Regulatory Affairs, with 20% of your time dedicated to this course. There is the option to convert this into an MSc qualification at the end of the scheme, subject to eligibility.
Following the scheme, you will be in a strong position to apply for more senior roles at the MHRA. Working here can also be a brilliant grounding for a career across the health sector or in the pharmaceutical industry.
Job description
Key responsibilities:
Specific responsibilities will be dependent on the allocated placement. Throughout the duration of the scheme, you will be required to:
Contribute to the objectives, goals and deliverables of the team hosting the placement.
Support the delivery of MHRA processes to ensure activities are conducted in line with relevant legislation and agency policies and procedures.
Actively participate in technical and skills training, including comprehensive on-the-job training.
Maintain performance in modules, assessments, and exams that form part of the TOPRA Regulatory Affairs Level 7 apprenticeship, which all scheme participants will undertake (this apprenticeship can be converted into an MSc, subject to eligibility).
Person specification
A 2:1 undergraduate degree (or an equivalent level of vocational experience) in a life sciences or biomedicine discipline.
A demonstrable interest in public health and the life sciences.
Applications from existing Civil Servants and external candidates are both welcomed.
Candidates who can demonstrate high potential in line with the Civil Service Accelerated Development Model of Potential.
If you would like to find out more about this fantastic opportunity, please read our job description and person specification or visit our graduate scheme website for an overview of the kinds of roles and responsibilities you would undertake.
Please note: The job description may not open in some internet browsers. Please use Chrome or Microsoft Edge. If you have any issue viewing the job description, please contact grads@mhra.gov.uk.
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. You can find out more here.
Step 1: an online application form, where you will need to detail why you are applying to the scheme, and how you meet the Success Profiles Behaviours: Making Effective Decision and Working Together. Please ensure all application questions are completed in full. Your application may not be considered if any responses are left blank.
Step 2: For those that make it through the application stage, you will undertake an online pre-Recorded Interview, which may include questions based on the Behaviours, Experience, Technical and Strengths elements of the Civil Service Success Profiles.
Step 3: For those that make it through the online interview stage, the final step will be an Assessment Centre. This will consist of further interviews, tests and a presentation based on the Ability, Behaviour, Experience and Strengths elements of the Success Profiles. Further information will be supplied when you reach this stage.
In the instance that we receive a high number of applications, we will hold an initial sift based on the lead criterion of Working Together.
Applicants are assessed on whether they meet any mandatory requirements as well as against the stated Civil Service Success Profiles criteria and the Civil Service Model of Potential. Ensure you have read these thoroughly and allow sufficient time
To ensure fairness, our recruitment process is entirely blind—your application will be assessed without reference to personal information such as your name, age, gender, or background.
If you require any disability related adjustments at any point during the process, please contact grads@mhra.gov.uk as soon as possible.
Closing date: Monday 10th March 2025
Interview dates:
Pre-Recorded Video Interviews: Friday 28th March to Monday 14th April 2025
Assessment centre dates: w/c Monday 16th June 2025
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 need assistance applying for this role or have any other questions, please contact grads@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 Florentina Oyelami, Head of Talent Acquisition, Florentina.Oyelami@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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We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
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Contact point for applicants
Job contact :
- Name : Graduate Scheme team
- Email : grads@mhra.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email : grads@mhra.gov.uk
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