We are currently looking for an Innovation Expert - Medical to join our Innovation and Compliance Function within the Scientific Research and Innovation group.
This is a full-time opportunity, on a permanent basis. The role will be based in 10 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf London, E14 4PU.
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. 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 Innovation and Compliance Group delivers public health impact and world-leading research innovation. It is divided into 5 sub-Groups, Innovation Accelerator, Clinical Investigations and Trials, Innovative Devices, International Partnerships, Standards and Compliance.
The Innovation Accelerator is a specialist function within the Innovation and Compliance Group at the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA). Its purpose is to support and enable innovation in healthcare products, while ensuring patient safety and public health protection.
What’s the role?
The core purpose of the Innovation Expert - Medical is to provide authoritative, strategic scientific and regulatory leadership on emerging healthcare innovations including artificial intelligence, ensuring that patient safety and public health are protected while enabling timely access to new and transformative products.
Key responsibilities:
Provide senior regulatory and scientific leadership
Act as lead advisor on complex, cross-agency regulatory issues
Lead and coordinate multi-disciplinary expert teams
Lead the development of guidance and policy position statements
Who are we looking for?
Our successful candidate will demonstrate:
Ability to problem solve, apply evidence-based judgement, and make decisions in challenging environments
Successfully work at senior levels in organisations as a systems leader to deliver high impact projects and demonstrated abilities to work with multiple stakeholders. The candidate needs to demonstrate how they see the big picture to implement the detail, how they have communicated and influenced key stakeholders, and delivered changes and/or improvements.
Senior level of systems leadership expertise within academia, regulatory/public body or commercial organisation with relevant scientific and regulatory expertise
Significant postgraduate experience with evidence of career progression
Technical expertise in medicines, devices and/or artificial intelligence
Person Specification:
Method of assessment: A=Application, T=Test, I=Interview, P=Presentation
Behaviour Criteria:
Making Effective Decisions (A, I)
Seeing the Big Picture (A, I, P)
Changing and Improving (A, I)
Communicating and Influencing (A, I)
Experience Criteria:
Broad and expert scientific and regulatory experience that can be applied to support the ambitions of the Innovation Accelerator (A, I, P)
Excellent interpersonal skills with demonstrable experience of facilitating team-working/team-leading, consulting and co-operating with colleagues from different disciplines and with variable degrees of expertise (A, I)
Previous experience in a regulatory, academic or industry setting with demonstrable contribution to the innovation agenda or healthcare product(s) development activities (A, I)
Technical Criteria:
Degree in Medicine with relevant postgraduate qualification(s) within specialist area(s). Registered with the General Medical Council (A)
Broad understanding of the regulatory frameworks, and policy context for medicines and/or devices in the UK and/or globally (A, I, P)
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 a statement of suitability, of no more than 1,500 words demonstrating how you meet the person specification. 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. Please ensure not to include any personal identifying information on your supporting information.
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.
Applicants 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 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: 24 July 2026
Shortlisting date: from 3 August 2026
Interview date: from 10 August 2026
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.
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 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.
Individuals appointed on level transfer will retain their existing salary and are responsible for ensuring they fully understand the financial implications of any potential move and the impact (if any) on their terms. If an individual is in any doubt, they should seek clarification before accepting a job offer.
Staff joining on promotion will receive up to a 10% increase of their current basic salary, or the pay band minimum, whichever is the greater.
The individual will not retain any allowances paid by the former department/Agency, unless there are special circumstances, such as a reserved right to those allowances on transfer.
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
Civil Service Commission
Room G/8
1 Horse Guards Road
London
SW1A 2HQ
Contact Details:
Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency Recruitment Team
