JOB SUMMARY

We are currently looking for a Chief Medical and Scientific Officer to join our Science, Research & Innovation group.
This is a full-time opportunity, on a permanent basis. The role can be based at either 10 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf or our Science Campus in South Mimms, Hertfordshire. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas. We are open to requests for flexible working. Please discuss this with the hiring manager before accepting an appointment.
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.

NATIONALITY REQUIREMENTS

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)
• 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

WHAT’S THE ROLE?

We are seeking to appoint to a new role of Chief Medical and Scientific Officer who will represent the MHRA to medical and scientific communities externally. You would be a prominent voice for the MHRA, working to promote the value of effective regulation and support the growth of the life sciences industry in the UK. As a Doctor of Medicine by background, the postholder will drive scientific excellence, lead our Science and Innovation group and shape the future of regulation through our science strategy, ensuring this aligns with all the scientific activities of the organisation. You will help secure further investment for the organisation, build partnerships and position MHRA at the heart of a thriving, future-facing life science sector. The global order that we have known is facing a period of rapid and unpredictable change. This presents risks, no doubt, but change also presents opportunities for an ambitious and principled leader and expert, to make a pivotal contribution in taking our organisation forward.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Represent the MHRA to medical and scientific communities externally to promote the value of effective regulation and support the growth of the life sciences industry in the UK.
• Ensure the alignment of the MHRA science strategy and all of our scientific activities.
• Secure future investment in MHRA scientific infrastructure.
• Lead the Science and Innovation Group.
• Build and enhance relationships with the Life Sciences sector, to position the MHRA as an enabling regulator as well as promoting the value of effective, risk-proportionate regulation.
• Maintain an overview of all our scientific activities, ensuring that every activity adds value to our Mission, rebalancing the portfolio of work where necessary.
• Promote the UK as a location for Clinical Trials and ensure we maintain our reputation for thorough timely clinical trials approval.
• Ensure that high quality effective scientific advice is available to industry to support the development of medicines and MedTech.

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