About the job

Summary

We are currently looking for a proactive Stem Cell Scientist to join our committed Advanced Therapies Team within the Scientific Research and Innovation Group.

This is a full-time opportunity, on a 12 months fixed term contract basis. The role will be based in South Mimms Potters Bar, Hertfordshire. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas. Informal hybrid working arrangements may be available as agreed with the line manager.

Job description

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency enhances and improves the health of millions of people every day through the effective regulation of medicines and medical devices, underpinned by science and research.

The Advanced Therapies team is tasked with the provision of high-quality starting materials, standards and research to underpin the clinical application of advanced therapies. The remit of the UK Stem Cell Bank (UKSCB), within the Division of Advanced Therapies, is to support scientific research and clinical development of stem cell therapies. The UK Stem Cell Bank (UKSCB) was set up as an infrastructure project within the UK’s Stem Cell Initiative to act as a national depositary for UK human embryonic stem cell lines (hESCs) under the licensing requirements applied to UK derivation centres by the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority.

What’s the role?

This post has been created to drive a research project that aims to assess the quality of pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) banked using an automated cell expansion system. The post holder will generate PSC banks using the automated system alongside traditional methods. Quality control testing will be carried out to assess comparability between approaches.

Responsibilities

• Carrying out banking and quality control testing of human pluripotent stem cells, according to the project plan following standard operating procedures.

• Preparing cell culture media and specialist reagents, carrying-out stock control procedures, maintaining batch records.

• Providing training in stem cell banking & QC procedures for staff, visiting workers and participants on UKSCB-run training courses.

• Writing, reviewing and maintaining quality records, including cell line master files, qualification and validation reports, standard operating procedures, COSHH and risk assessments.

• Providing scientific and technical input into the project.

Benefits

We offer a range of benefits aimed to support your lifestyle, wellbeing and professional development including:

• A working environment that supports flexible working options

• 25 days annual leave increasing to 30 with service

• Season ticket loans

• Subsidised gym membership

• Commitment to professional development

• Access to shopping discounts through the ‘Mylifestyle’ employee benefits portal

• Access to learning and development tailored to your role

• A working culture which encourages inclusion and diversity

• A civil service pension

Things you need to know

Security

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks.

Selection process details

The Civil Service uses a recruitment framework called Success Profiles. To find out more please click: www.gov.uk/government/publications/success-profiles

• 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.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
• relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
• certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals

Further information on nationality requirements

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Apply and further information

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name :The Resourcing Team
• Email :Careers@mhra.gov.uk

Recruitment team :

• Email :Careers@mhra.gov.uk

Further information

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 contact the Resourcing Team at Careers@mhra.gov.uk, in the first instance. 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