Description We are currently looking for a Principal Scientist – Global Specialised Polio Laboratory to join our Vaccines Team within the Science, Research & Innovation group. This is a full-time opportunity, on a fixed term contract/internal move or temporary promotion basis until 30 November 2027. The role will be lab based in South Mimms, Hertfordshire. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas. Who are we? The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency enhance and improve the health of millions of people every day through the effective regulation of medicines and medical devices, underpinned by science and research. The Science, Research and Innovation Group delivers public health impact, world-leading research innovation, and a unique proposition via an ambitious Science Strategy which will balance innovation against sustainability and affordability. It is divided into 6 sub-Groups, Innovation Accelerator, Clinical Investigations and Trials, Research and Development, Standards Lifecycle, Control Testing and Quality Assurance and Health & Safety. The Vaccines team is the largest within the R&D function consisting of around 60 scientists across 8 Research groups. What’s the role? The postholder will work in the WHO Global Specialised Polio Laboratory in the Vaccines team within the R&D function. The role is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and aims at providing scientific-based guidance to the endgame strategies for the World Health Organization (WHO) Global Polio Eradication Initiative which includes supporting immunisation programs as well as clinical and environmental surveillance systems for the detection of polio and non-polio enteroviruses. The role involves working in the area of R&D and control on poliomyelitis and poliovirus vaccines, providing senior level expertise. The post holder will be responsible for the scientific direction of research aimed at improving laboratory methods and analytical algorithms to detect and characterize polio and non-polio viruses in stools and environmental samples from different countries. The results will be used to analyse the prevalence and evolution of human viruses in different human populations and their link to human disease establishing early outbreak alert systems and monitoring the efficacy of immunisation programs. Key responsibilities: Be accountable to the Head of the Global Specialised Polio Laboratory coordinating with other teams and colleagues across the R&D function as required, to effectively manage the work programs on a day-to-day basis Develop and manage independent research collaborative programs aimed at improving methods and analytical algorithms to detect and characterize polio and non-polio viruses in sewage samples with a special focus on direct detection and nanopore sequencing (DDNS). Lead training and implementation activities in WHO GPLN laboratories around the world on DDNS of poliovirus from stool and sewage samples to expand capacity, increase demand and generate further data on performance (sensitivity, specificity, speed, accuracy, feasibility). Management of resources, laboratory facilities and a team of scientists working with a continual improvement ethos. These include responsibility for bio-containment Level 2 and 3 laboratories, submission of grant applications and management of grants liaising with funding bodies and academic collaborators Engage with national and international external stakeholders to deliver expert services, training, scientific and technical advice to support the statutory functions. Communication with the scientific community and public health bodies, leading submission of publications in peer reviewed journals and presenting scientific data at national and international meetings. Who are we looking for? Our successful candidate will have: A PhD in a relevant field, or equivalent experience with evidence of R&D Excellent practical and theoretical knowledge of the WHO global poliovirus eradication initiative including surveillance activities and polio vaccines Experience of poliovirus (preferable) or RNA viruses research with national and international collaborations Highly developed skills in molecular assays applicable to primarily enteroviruses. 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 careersmhra.gov.uk 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. Interview, which can include questions based on the Behaviour, Experience, Technical and Strengths Success Profiles. In the instance that we receive a high number of applications, we will hold an initial sift based on the lead criteria of ‘Highly skilled in deep sequencing laboratory methods and analysis particularly those applied to the direct detection of viral sequences from clinical and environmental samples using Nanopore’. 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. 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 require any disability related adjustments at any point during the process, please contact careersmhra.gov.uk as soon as possible. Closing date: 12 February 2025 Shortlisting date: 19 February 2025 Interview date: 24 February 2025 Candidates will be contacted within a week of the sift and the interviews completed to inform them of the outcome. If you need assistance applying for this role or have any other questions, please contact careersmhra.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 careersmhra.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 Mira Mepa, Head of Recruitment and Operations, Mira.Mepamhra.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission at: civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk infocsc.gov.uk Civil Service Commission Room G/8 1 Horse Guards Road London SW1A 2HQ