Senior Scientist – Bioinformatician (Data Analysis)

Job Description

We are currently looking for a Senior Scientist – Bioinformatician (Data Analysis) to join our Research and Development Function within the Science and Research group.

This is a full-time opportunity, on a permanent basis. The role will be based in South Mimms, Hertfordshire.

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. Remote working is potentially available for some specific roles. Please discuss this with the recruiting manager before accepting an appointment.

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 and Research Group delivers public health impact, world-leading resea

rch innovation, and a unique regulatory proposition for patients and users 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 S&R Research & Development function delivers statutory mandated, strategically aligned, sustainable and impactful Regulatory Scientific research that is applied primarily to biological reference materials development and medicines control testing, and to areas of international and national priority for future biological medicines. Research and Development hosts and nurtures excellence in biological reference materials, biological activity measurements, product quality testing and standardisation that is currently hosted by the National Institute for Biological Standards and Control (NIBSC). 

Analytical and Biological Sciences (ABS) is a multi-laboratory, multi-disciplinary team of experts within R&D. The NGS and Bioinformatics team within ABS is the focal point for the Agency’s requirements for bioinformatics expertise, delivering both practical and theoretical support across a wide range of NGS applications. 

What’s the role?

This SEO-level position plays a pivotal role in providing advanced bioinformatics expertise to regulatory science research projects, underpinning cutting-edge research and regulatory science. The post-holder delivers robust, reproducible, and timely computational workflows and analysis pipelines to enable high-impact projects across genomics, transcriptomics, metagenomics, microbiome profiling, and single-cell analysis. This exciting role uniquely complements laboratory-based efforts, championing the computational aspects of next-generation sequencing to drive scientific innovation and support national and international priorities. The primary accountability of the role is the delivery of reproducible NGS data analysis pipelines in support of regulatory science, standards development, and control testing, rather than exploratory AI or diagnostics research. 

Key Responsibilities

• NGS Data Analysis & Pipeline Delivery 
  
  

Lead the design, development, and delivery of scalable bioinformatics analysis pipelines (e.g. using  Nextflow , Python, R) for large-scale NGS datasets. 

• Infrastructure, Reproducibility & Quality 
  
  

Manage cloud-based bioinformatics infrastructure (e.g. Google Cloud Platform), ensuring scalability, reproducibility, data governance compliance, and adherence to MHRA quality systems (ISO). 

• Scientific Interpretation & Collaboration 
  
  

Perform quality control, statistical analysis, and biological interpretation of data from diverse NGS modalities, working collaboratively with SR&I and wider MHRA teams to support regulatory and research objectives. 

• Capability Building & Continuous Improvement 
  
  

Mentor junior bioinformaticians and laboratory scientists, contribute to publications and grant proposals, and integrate emerging technologies into core facility operations to strengthen long-term capability. 

Who are we looking for?

Our successful candidate will have: 

• Extensive experience delivering large-scale bioinformatics data analysis using cloud computing environments. 
• Proficiency in programming languages including Bash, Python, R, and workflow languages such as  Nextflow . 
• Experience working with Linux and cloud computing platforms, including use of version control and containerisation tools (GitHub, Docker, Singularity). 

Technical Criteria

• MSc (or equivalent) in Bioinformatics, Computational Biology, or related discipline  (A, I, P)
• Deep understanding of NGS data formats, bioinformatics tools, and QC processes   (A, I, P, T)
• Proficiency with version control, collaborative coding platforms, and containerisation technologies (A, I, P)
• Ability to interpret and communicate complex genomic data to diverse audiences  (A, I, P)
  
  

Strengths Criteria

• Analytical (I)
• Learner (I)
  
  

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

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.

Test, further information will be supplied when you reach this stage. 

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.

Use of AI in Job Applications

Artificial Intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

If you require any disability related adjustments at any point during the process, please contact careers@mhra.gov.uk as soon as possible.

Closing date: 9 th February

Shortlisting date: from 16 th February

Interview date: from 2nd March

If you need assistance applying for this role or have any other questions, please contact careers@mhra.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 .

Role

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.
  
  

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 o

therwise 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 careers@mhra.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, in the first instance, you should contact the MHRA Recruitment Team at careers@mhra.gov.uk .   

If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission at: civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk

info@csc.gov.uk

Civil Service Commission 

Room G/8 

1 Horse Guards Road 

London 

SW1A 2HQ 

About Us

ABOUT US

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 agency is made up of c.1300 staff working across two main centres and peripatetically across the UK and abroad.

The agency consists of Corporate, Digital & Technology, Enablement, Healthcare Quality & Access, Partnerships, Safety & Surveillance and Scientific Research & Innovation.