JOB SUMMARY

We are currently looking for a Head of Machine Learning to join our Scientific Data and Insight Team within the Safety and Surveillance group.
This is a full-time opportunity, on a 2 Year fixed term contract/internal move or temporary promotion 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.
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.

WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

Our successful candidate will have:

• PhD in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, or closely related fields.
• Extensive experience in the design, development, deployment, and evaluation of data science solutions and in the analysis and/or modelling of large, complex datasets using high-performance scientific computing.
• Understanding of or strong interest in healthcare and/or biomedical data and its applications
• Experience of supervision and/or line management of data scientists.
• Experience of developing grant applications

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.
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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.

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

WHAT’S THE ROLE?

The Scientific Data and Insight function plays a key role in support of this mission. Its purpose is to develop and provide expertise to enhance the analytic capabilities of the Safety & Surveillance group. Activities include supporting the group with epidemiological expertise and assessments, identifying and addressing data gaps, and developing novel methods for pharmacovigilance. The division also engages in research, often in collaboration with external partners and academic institutions, and regularly publishes papers in the scientific literature.
This role supports the Agency’s mission to protect public health by exploring novel and innovative analytical approaches to the safety of medicines and medical devices. The post holder will conduct applied research into novel machine learning/AI based approaches to pharmacovigilance, or innovative ways to monitor the safety of medical devices.
This role would suit an established applied scientist with a proven track record of publications ideally in AI applied to health data. Willingness to work with colleagues from other disciplines is a must, as is a strong interest in public health-data. While the role will include some team management, the post-holder should be willing to do hands-on research themselves.
There is an expectation that the postholder will publish their results in the scientific literature.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Conceive, lead and conduct original and practically relevant research into machine learning applied to drug safety.
• Design, develop, deploy, and evaluate machine learning solutions using software such as Python, R or Julia.
• Provide professional leadership to a team of data scientists, ensure their continuing development, provide visible leadership, and achieve performance which aligns with the strategic goals of the Agency.
• Maintain knowledge of the state of the art in machine learning and AI and provide thought leadership to the function and the wider organisation in this area.

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