Head of Cellular Immunology

Job title:

Head of Cellular Immunology

Company

Lifelancer

Job description

Job Title: Head of Cellular ImmunologyJob Location: Hertfordshire, UKJob Location Type: HybridJob Contract Type: Full-timeJob Seniority Level: DirectorJob DescriptionWe are currently looking for a Head of Cellular Immunology to join our Cellular Immunology, Biotherapeutics & Advanced Therapies function within the Scientific Research and Innovation Group.This is a full-time opportunity, on a permanent basis. The role will be based in South Mimms, Hertfordshire. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas.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.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 Scientific 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.The Biotherapeutics and Advanced Therapies Team in the R&D function of the SR&I group comprises a multi-disciplinary team of internationally respected scientists whose focus is on the regulatory research required to ensure safe and effective biotherapeutic and advanced therapy medicines are available to patients.The postholder will lead on prioritised regulatory scientific research focused on the safety, characterisation and accelerated regulatory approval of advanced therapeutic medicinal products (ATMPs) with a focus on extracellular vesicle therapy, immunoassay development for the evaluation of the safety and potency of novel ATMPs and flow cytometry standardisation. The postholder will grow a team for addressing this R&D program.Key Responsibilities

• Direct an internationally recognised programme of R&D that addresses key regulatory scientific questions pertaining to biotherapeutic medicines, in particular extracellular vesicle therapy, cellular immunoassays for the evaluation of the safety and potency of ATMPs and flow cytometry applications. Establish and lead national and international collaborative work activities to ensure scientific expertise is developed and retained to support the agency in the scientific assessment and accelerated regulatory approval of novel and important ATMPs. These programs will generate scientific data that is publishable in high quality scientific journals and attracts sustained external grant funding.
• Collaborate with colleagues in the Standards Lifecycle and Control Testing functions of the SR&I Group to provide expert scientific advice and practical support for the timely production of physical standards and optimal control testing for biotherapeutic medicines.
• Represent the Agency externally, nationally, and internationally, as an expert in extracellular vesicle therapy, cellular immunoassay development and flow cytometry standardisation, and provide state of the art guidance to senior agency colleagues in other functions such as HQA and S&S.
• Manage and be responsible for laboratory facilities and equipment including the flow cytometry facility. Be accountable for HR, Finance and Governance aspects pertaining to their work.

Who are we looking for?Our Successful Candidate Will

• PhD or equivalent experience in immunology with a good publication record
• Experience in leading R&D projects ideally in a standardisation context
• Very good knowledge and practical experience in developing bioassays for the assessment and characterisation of advanced therapeutic medicinal products (ATMPs) including extracellular vesicle therapeutics
• Very good knowledge and practical experience in flow cytometry, flow cytometry standardisation and running a flow cytometry facility
• Experience in writing scientific reports and/or manuscripts

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 contactThe Selection ProcessWe 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.
• 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.

In the instance that we receive a high number of applications, we will hold an initial sift based on the lead criteria of having a PhD or equivalent experience in immunology with a good publication recordApplicants 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 ApplicationsApplicants 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 as soon as possible.Closing date: 2nd March 2025Shortlisting date: from 3rd March 2025Interview date: from 10 th March 2025Candidates 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 contactCandidates 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 .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 Florentina Oleylami, Head of Talent Acquisition, .If you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission at: civilservicecommission.independent.gov.ukCivil Service CommissionRoom G/81 Horse Guards RoadLondonSW1A 2HQAbout UsABOUT USThe 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.Lifelancer ( ) is a talent-hiring platform in Life Sciences, Pharma and IT. The platform connects talent with opportunities in pharma, biotech, health sciences, healthtech and IT domains.For more details and to find similar roles, please check out the below Lifelancer link.

Expected salary

Location

United Kingdom

Job date

Sun, 02 Mar 2025 23:41:28 GMT

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