Location
South Mimms, Potters Bar, Hertfordshire

Hours
Full Time - 37 hours per week

Salary
£34,183 per annum plus benefits

About the Role
We are seeking a Scientist to join our Control Testing Function within the Science and Research group at the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency. This is a full-time, permanent, laboratory-based role located at our Science campus in South Mimms, Hertfordshire. Please note that hybrid working is not available for this position.

The Control Testing team plays a vital role in assuring the quality of biological medicines by independently assessing and certifying batches of vaccines, blood products, and plasma pools through laboratory testing and review of manufacturers’ data, ensuring every batch meets required safety and quality standards.

As part of the Molecular Analysis team, you will perform a range of specialist assays including blood borne virus detection using high throughput analysers, PCR, q(RT)-PCR, and nucleic acid sequencing. You will be responsible for organising materials and reagents, performing batch release activities from receipt of samples to testing and reporting results, all in accordance with SOPs and the ISO17025 quality standard.

This role offers an exciting opportunity to develop your laboratory skills, enhance your knowledge of regulatory science, and work within a quality system to support the UK’s independent batch release programme for biological medicines.

Experience
- Experience in one or more molecular assays used for the evaluation of vaccines and blood products, such as blood borne virus detection using high throughput analysers, RNA/DNA extraction, PCR, q(RT)-PCR, and nucleic acid sequencing.
- Experience working in a laboratory environment.
- Knowledge of document and record management within a quality management system such as ISO17025 is desirable.
- Experience using Laboratory Information Management Systems (LIMS) for accurate data capture and review is advantageous.

About you
- Excellent team working and communication skills.
- Good planning and time management abilities.
- Strong attention to detail with the ability to work accurately while following written and verbal instructions.
- Enthusiastic and motivated to develop laboratory and regulatory science skills.

Qualifications
- A Bachelor's Degree in a relevant scientific field or equivalent laboratory experience.
- Practical skills in performing molecular analysis methods for biological samples, ideally medicines.
- Knowledge of good laboratory practice and safety requirements.
- Experience with blood borne virus detection using high throughput analysers is desirable but not essential as training will be provided.