At a Glance
- Tasks: Assess data for veterinary medicines and contribute to public health and animal welfare.
- Company: Join the Veterinary Medicines Directorate, dedicated to ensuring safe and effective veterinary products.
- Benefits: Enjoy flexible working, 25-30 days annual leave, and generous family leave options.
- Why this job: Be part of impactful work in a peer-reviewed environment, shaping animal health standards.
- Qualifications: Degree in veterinary medicine or relevant life sciences with postgraduate experience required.
- Other info: Equal Opportunity employer; applications close on 21 July 2025.
The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 £ per year.
The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) is an Executive Agency of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). Our aim is to protect public health, animal health, and the environment, and promote animal welfare by assuring the safety, quality and effectiveness of veterinary medicines.
We have 3 vacancies as a Biological Assessor in our Biological Team. These exciting and interesting jobs put you at the heart of the important work of the VMD’s Biologicals Section and the authorisation in the UK of biological/immunological veterinary medicinal products, including vaccines and novel therapy veterinary medicinal products.
Your primary role will be to assess data submitted by pharmaceutical companies in support of their applications for new marketing authorisations of veterinary medicines, variations of existing authorisations, and animal test certificates to conduct clinical field trials. You will work within a peer-reviewed environment and contribute to ensuring we make robust and transparent decisions based on scientific evidence. Your work plays a major part in assuring the quality, safety and efficacy, and availability of these veterinary medicines in the UK, and significantly contributes to the VMD meeting its public standards.
You must have relevant experience of biological/immunological veterinary medicine products gained within the pharmaceutical industry, a Regulatory Authority or relevant doctoral/post-doctoral research.
We are seeking candidates with experience of:
- Communicating complex scientific issues, in writing and face-to-face, with clarity and conviction in the face of tough negotiation or challenge.
- Writing and reviewing scientific publications or reports preferably scientific reports relating to the evaluation of quality, safety, efficacy and benefit/risk of biological/immunological VMPs including vaccines.
- Applying your analytical and problem-solving skills quickly to assimilate scientific and other information, identifying issues, drawing conclusions, and making recommendations.
- Prioritising continuous self-learning and development - identifying those areas that you need to develop to achieve your future objectives.
- Proven ability to meet deadlines.
- Knowledge of current animal health welfare and topical veterinary issues.
Qualifications:
A degree in veterinary medicine or in a relevant scientific life science discipline that is directly applicable to the assessment work of the Biologicals Team with pertinent postgraduate experience or Ph.D. equivalent.
Benefits
A work-life balance is key for us all. We offer flexible working as well as health, well-being and discount schemes. The annual leave package starts at 25 days per year and increases to 30 days over five years. We offer generous maternity, paternity, shared, and adoption leave.
The Veterinary Medicines Directorate is an Equal Opportunity employer.
Closing date: 21 July 2025.
Biological Assessor employer: JobFlurry
Contact Detail:
JobFlurry Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Biological Assessor
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest developments in biological and immunological veterinary medicines. This will not only help you understand the current landscape but also demonstrate your commitment to staying updated, which is crucial for a role at the VMD.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the veterinary medicine field, especially those who have experience with regulatory authorities or pharmaceutical companies. Engaging in discussions can provide insights into the role and may even lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples of how you've communicated complex scientific issues effectively. The ability to convey intricate information clearly is key for this position, so having real-life scenarios ready will set you apart.
✨Tip Number 4
Showcase your analytical and problem-solving skills by being ready to discuss how you've tackled challenges in previous roles. Highlighting your thought process and decision-making will resonate well with the interviewers.
We think you need these skills to ace Biological Assessor
Some tips for your application 🫡
Understand the Role: Before applying, make sure you fully understand the responsibilities of a Biological Assessor. Familiarise yourself with the VMD's mission and how your skills align with their goals.
Tailor Your CV: Highlight your relevant experience in biological/immunological veterinary medicine products. Emphasise your ability to communicate complex scientific issues clearly and your experience in writing scientific reports.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: In your cover letter, demonstrate your analytical and problem-solving skills. Provide examples of how you've successfully navigated challenges in previous roles, particularly in relation to veterinary medicines.
Proofread Your Application: Ensure that your application is free from errors. A well-presented application reflects your attention to detail, which is crucial for the role of a Biological Assessor.
How to prepare for a job interview at JobFlurry
✨Showcase Your Scientific Communication Skills
Prepare to discuss how you've effectively communicated complex scientific issues in previous roles. Be ready to provide examples of both written reports and face-to-face interactions, especially in challenging situations.
✨Demonstrate Analytical Problem-Solving
Highlight your ability to quickly analyse scientific data and draw conclusions. Prepare to discuss specific instances where you identified issues and made recommendations based on your findings.
✨Stay Updated on Veterinary Issues
Familiarise yourself with current animal health welfare topics and veterinary issues. Being knowledgeable about recent developments will show your commitment to the field and help you engage in meaningful discussions during the interview.
✨Emphasise Continuous Learning
Discuss your approach to self-learning and professional development. Share how you identify areas for improvement and what steps you've taken to enhance your skills, particularly in relation to biological/immunological veterinary medicines.