Higher Scientist - Pandemic Influenza - £34,841 p.a. + benefits

at  Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency

JOB SUMMARY

We are currently looking for two Higher Scientists – Pandemic Influenza to join our Research & Development function within the Science, Research & Innovation group.
These are full-time opportunities, on a permanent basis. The roles will be lab based in South Mimms, Hertfordshire. Please be aware that these roles can only be worked in the UK and not overseas.

WHO ARE WE LOOKING FOR?

Our successful candidates will have:

• A BSc degree in a relevant scientific discipline
• Experience and knowledge of safe working at biocontainment (CL3/CL4 experience is desirable)
• Practical experience in one or more of: mammalian and bacterial cell culture, virus propagation and titration, neutralisation assays, serological assays, or molecular biology techniques

They will also be able to demonstrate the following Civil Service Behaviours:

• Working Together: Encourage joined up team work within own team and across other groups. Establish professional relationships with a range of stakeholders
• Communicating and Influencing -Communicate in a straightforward, honest and engaging manner, choosing appropriate styles to maximise understanding and impact by sharing information as appropriate.
• Disciplined: You follow processes, operating firmly within set standards, rules and guidelines.
• Team Player: You work well as part of a team and strive to ensure the team pulls together and is effective.

If you would like to find out more about this fantastic opportunity, please read our Job Description and Person Specification!
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 careers@mhra.gov.uk
Benefits

Alongside your salary of £34,841, Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency contributes £9,407 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• 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

THE SELECTION PROCESS:

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.
• Supporting statement of no more than 750 words detailing how your experience and skills demonstrate the Behaviour, Technical and Experience criteria on the person specification
• 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 answers provided- ensure you have read these thoroughly and allow sufficient time. You can view the criteria 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) (opens in a new window)
• 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 (opens in a new window)

WHAT’S THE ROLE?

The post holders will be part of a team engaged in a variety of activities working proactively with colleagues in the Influenza Resource Centre, other areas of SR&I, the WHO GISRS network and the wider influenza community, key activities will include: development, characterisation and distribution of influenza candidate vaccine viruses (CVVs), the development of influenza potency reagents, and provision of data for World Health Organisation Vaccine Composition Meetings (VCMs).
The post holders will work with a wide range of influenza viruses, including those of pandemic potential: this will involve working at containment levels 2 and 3 and SAPO4 and working with animal models.
Security Clearance must be obtained for this position, which requires 5 years UK residency.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Perform a wide variety of laboratory techniques including: propagation of influenza viruses on various substrates at different scales; evaluation of potency reagents to support the biological standardisation for influenza candidate vaccine viruses; there is an absolute requirement to work with embryonated avian eggs and animal-derived materials; and contribute to serological studies;
• Generate Candidate Vaccine Viruses and perform genetic and antigenic characterization through a variety of molecular biology and serology techniques. Analyse and interpret complex data sets, keeping accurate records; actively communicate findings through written reports, scientific publications and delivery of scientific presentations in relevant fora;
• Apply an excellent understanding of the health and safety regulatory requirements as relating to working with influenza and working at high biocontainment; Deliver activities under appropriate quality, Home Office and Health and Safety governance systems where relevant; maintain professional and productive relationships with external stakeholders (including industry, academia, government departments, regulatory agencies etc.) to facilitate research collaborations, contract testing services and management of products;
• Contribute to management of the laboratory, documentation (including health and safety and quality management system documentation) and laboratory equipment, and ensure stocks of reagents and consumables are maintained.