JOB SUMMARY

We are currently looking for a Head of Epidemiology to join our Scientific Data & Insight Function within the Safety and Surveillance group. This is a pivotal position within MHRA with significant scope to shape and improve the core activities of the agency.
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.

JOB DESCRIPTION

This is a full-time opportunity, on a permanent basis. The role will be based in 10 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf London, E14 4PU. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas.
The Head of Epidemiology is central to enable the agency to generate and assess evidence for regulatory decision making. The role holder will be responsible for line managing the epidemiology team. They will also provide thought leadership for the team and the wider agency, develop novel approaches and methods and form strong relationships with internal and external stakeholders.

Key responsibilities:

• Line management of the Epidemiology Unit with responsibility for ensuring the work of the team is in line with the public health priorities of the Agency and that it is best placed to deliver upon its objectives.
• Working to optimise the capture and use of observational data to support the work of the Agency across the medical product lifecycle.
• Ensuring that epidemiological methods are applied to best effect in the detection of safety signals, the assessment of risk management plans and other relevant data, the resolution of safety issues, and the monitoring of outcomes in the context of medical products.
• Liaising with the Pharmaceutical Industry regarding post-authorisation safety studies and risk management to ensure that such plans are acceptable and relevant for UK use.
• Identifying research needs and developing grant proposals to seek external funding for specific projects.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Our successful candidate will:

• PhD in epidemiology, public health, statistics, or related field (or comparable experience working in those fields)
• Experience in planning and conducting research and disseminating research results in peer reviewed articles.
• Excellent understanding of advanced epidemiological methods.
• Experience of leadership and management.

If you would like to find out more about this fantastic opportunity, please read our Job Description and Person Specification and contact the vacancy holder Dominique.chu@mhra.gov.uk.
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IN THE INSTANCE THAT WE RECEIVE A HIGH NUMBER OF APPLICATIONS, WE WILL HOLD AN INITIAL SIFT BASED ON THE LEAD CRITERIA OF CANDIDATES HAVING A PHD IN EPIDEMIOLOGY, PUBLIC HEALTH, STATISTICS, OR RELATED FIELD (OR COMPARABLE EXPERIENCE WORKING IN THOSE FIELDS).

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.

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

Key responsibilities:

• Line management of the Epidemiology Unit with responsibility for ensuring the work of the team is in line with the public health priorities of the Agency and that it is best placed to deliver upon its objectives.
• Working to optimise the capture and use of observational data to support the work of the Agency across the medical product lifecycle.
• Ensuring that epidemiological methods are applied to best effect in the detection of safety signals, the assessment of risk management plans and other relevant data, the resolution of safety issues, and the monitoring of outcomes in the context of medical products.
• Liaising with the Pharmaceutical Industry regarding post-authorisation safety studies and risk management to ensure that such plans are acceptable and relevant for UK use.
• Identifying research needs and developing grant proposals to seek external funding for specific projects