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- 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: This role offers three vacancies; apply by 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: New Scientist
Contact Detail:
New Scientist 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 enhance your understanding but also demonstrate your commitment to staying updated in this rapidly evolving field during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the veterinary medicine sector, especially those who work in regulatory roles or have experience with the VMD. Engaging in discussions can provide insights into the role and may even lead to referrals.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss specific examples from your past experiences where you successfully communicated complex scientific issues. Being able to articulate these situations clearly will showcase your communication skills, which are crucial for this role.
✨Tip Number 4
Demonstrate your analytical and problem-solving abilities by preparing case studies or scenarios related to biological assessments. This will help you illustrate your thought process and decision-making skills during the interview.
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 role will contribute to public health and animal welfare.
Tailor Your CV: Highlight your relevant experience in biological/immunological veterinary medicine products. Emphasise your skills in communicating complex scientific issues and your ability to write and review scientific reports.
Craft a Strong Cover Letter: In your cover letter, clearly articulate your motivation for applying and how your background aligns with the requirements of the position. Mention specific experiences that demonstrate your analytical and problem-solving skills.
Proofread Your Application: Before submitting, carefully proofread your CV and cover letter for any errors. Ensure that your application is clear, concise, and free from typos, as attention to detail is crucial in this field.
How to prepare for a job interview at New Scientist
✨Understand the Role
Make sure you have a solid grasp of what a Biological Assessor does. Familiarise yourself with the responsibilities outlined in the job description, especially regarding assessing data for veterinary medicines and communicating complex scientific issues.
✨Prepare for Technical Questions
Expect to be asked about your experience with biological/immunological veterinary medicine products. Brush up on relevant regulations and recent developments in the field to demonstrate your expertise and knowledge during the interview.
✨Showcase Your Communication Skills
Since the role involves communicating complex scientific information, practice articulating your thoughts clearly and confidently. Prepare examples of how you've effectively communicated in challenging situations, whether in writing or face-to-face.
✨Highlight Continuous Learning
The VMD values self-development, so be ready to discuss how you prioritise continuous learning. Share specific instances where you've identified areas for improvement and taken steps to enhance your skills or knowledge in veterinary medicine.