Polio Essential Facility Manager in London

This vacancy is open to all Civil Service employees and employees of accredited NDPBs who were appointed on merit following a fair and open competition; or were appointed to a permanent post through an exception in the Civil Service Commissioners' rules. We are currently looking for a Principal Scientist (Global Specialised Polio Laboratory), Vaccines to join our Research and Development function within the Science Research and Innovation group. This is a full‐time, permanent opportunity. The role will be based in South Mimms.

Who are we? 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 Scientific Research and Innovation (SR&I) group delivers public health impact through world‐leading research and innovation to support clinical trials and availability of novel medicines. It comprises six sub‐groups: Innovation Accelerator, Clinical Investigations and Trials, Research and Development, Standards Lifecycle, Control Testing and Quality Assurance and Health & Safety. Research and Development (R&D) delivers an internationally leading programme that supports development of and access to novel biological medicines, biological standards, diagnostics, vaccines, biotherapeutics and advanced therapy medicinal products.

What's the role? The postholder will work in the WHO Global Specialised Polio Laboratory within the Research and Development sub‐group of the Science and Research Group. The primary responsibility of this role is to manage the MHRA Science Campus Polio Essential Facility (PEF). This involves ensuring that MHRA achieves and maintains designation as a PEF under the WHO Global Action Plan IV (GAPIV). The postholder will lead the resolution of all non‐compliances identified during the 2024 WHO GAPIV audit and secure full PEF certification. Once certified, the postholder will oversee ongoing compliance to ensure the site successfully passes periodic audits conducted by the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) on behalf of the UK's National Authority for Containment (NAC).

The postholder will also lead and manage all cell‐based poliovirus surveillance activities at the MHRA Science Campus, from receipt of diagnostic samples through to molecular characterisation and timely reporting to the relevant stakeholders. They will manage the in‐house surveillance team and liaise with external partners—including the UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) and Public Health Scotland—to ensure national poliovirus wastewater and clinical sample‐based surveillance is conducted safely and effectively, using validated quality‐assured methods. The role requires close coordination with R&D colleagues and wider teams across Standards Lifecycle and Control Testing to support statutory analytical functions. The postholder will also represent MHRA nationally and internationally—providing expert training, technical advice, and expert input to WHO, the European Directorate for the Quality of Medicines (EDQM), regulatory agencies, vaccine manufacturers, and other partners to support global public health objectives.

Security Clearance must be obtained for this position, which requires 5 years' UK residency.

• Management of resources, laboratory facilities and leading a team working with a continual improvement ethos. This includes leading on the development and oversight of CL3 poliovirus containment policy and operations at the MHRA Science Campus, ensuring compliance with quality systems, Home Office licences, and Health and Safety Executive (HSE) requirements, and managing associated regulatory audits and outcomes.
• Oversee WHO and in‐house laboratory accreditation, including evaluation of proficiency test panels, preparation of documentation, and annual reviews. Provide expert training, mentoring, and issue resolution to support colleagues and quality compliance across the agency.
• Manage all laboratory activities related to cell‐based poliovirus surveillance, ensuring accurate, timely processing and reporting of samples to the WHO GPLN. Supervise the in‐house team to maintain high standards of technical performance.
• Engage with national and international external stakeholders, including WHO Collaborating Centres, UKHSA, Public Health Scotland, EDQM, FDA, regulatory bodies, academic institutions, and vaccine manufacturers. Provide scientific and technical expertise, training, and high‐level advice in support of MHRA's public health mandate.
• Lead the resolution of all non‐compliances identified during WHO GAPIV audit and secure full PEF certification. Maintain ongoing compliance and oversee periodic audits by HSE on behalf of NAC.

Our successful candidate will have:

• A PhD in Virology (or equivalent industrial experience), with significant post‐doctoral expertise in poliovirus biology, containment, and surveillance.
• In‐depth theoretical and practical understanding of the WHO Global Poliovirus Eradication Initiative (GPEI), including its laboratory arm, the Global Polio Laboratory Network (GPLN).
• Experience managing CL3 containment facilities, including implementation of training systems, emergency planning, and audit readiness.
• Hands‐on experience with key laboratory methods, including wastewater and clinical sample concentration; virus isolation using L20B and CDC‐RD cells; intratypic differentiation (ITD); viral RNA extraction, PCR, and full/partial genome sequencing.
• Regulatory and audit management skills to liaise with UK regulators (HSE, NAC) and respond to WHO audits, ensuring compliance and certification.
• Ability to obtain and maintain security clearance (UK residency 5 years).

• Managing a quality service (Application, Interview)
• Leadership (Application, Interview)
• Communicating and influencing (Application, Interview)

• In‐depth theoretical and practical understanding of GPEI and GPLN (Application, Interview)
• Extensive practical experience and expert‐level theoretical knowledge in poliovirus surveillance, vaccine characterisation, and high‐containment lab work (Application, Interview)
• Advanced knowledge of GAPIV for poliovirus containment (Application, Interview)
• Demonstrable experience leading compliance with GAPIV and achieving or maintaining PEF status under WHO/NAC oversight (Application, Interview)
• Experience managing CL3 containment facilities, including implementation of training systems, emergency planning, and audit readiness (Application, Interview)

• A PhD in Virology (or equivalent industrial experience), with significant post‐doctoral expertise in poliovirus biology, containment, and surveillance (Application, Interview)
• Scientific leadership and technical experience in managing and operating CL3 laboratories and conducting complex poliovirus surveillance work in line with international standards (Application, Interview)
• Hands‐on experience with key laboratory methods including: Wastewater and clinical sample concentration, Virus isolation using L20B and CDC‐RD cells, Intratypic differentiation (ITD), Viral RNA extraction, PCR and full/partial genome sequencing (Application, Interview)
• Regulatory and audit management skills to liaise with UK regulators (HSE, NAC) and respond to WHO audits, ensuring compliance and certification (Application, Interview)

• Networker (Interview)
• Organiser (Interview)

If you would like to find out more about this fantastic opportunity, please read our Job Description and Person Specification!

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The selection process includes an online application form, interview, and may involve an initial sift based on specific criteria.