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SalaryThis is a full-timeopportunity, on a 24-month fixed term contract/internal move or temporary promotion 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 4 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 8 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. Remote working is potentially available for some specific roles. Please discuss this with the recruiting manager before accepting an appointment.
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 6 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.
The Scientist will work in the WHO Collaborating Centre for Polio and the WHO Global Specialised Polio Laboratory within the Research and Development sub-Group of the SR&I Group.
The role is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and aims at providing scientific-based guidance to the endgame strategies for the WHO Global Polio Eradication Initiative which includes supporting immunisation programs as well as clinical and environmental surveillance systems for the detection of polio and non-polio enteroviruses.
The role involves working in the area of R&D and control on poliomyelitis and poliovirus vaccines. The post holder will be responsible for leading and undertaking work to improve methods and analytical algorithms to detect and characterize polio and non-polio viruses in stools and sewage samples from different countries. These include in-depth molecular analysis of viral sequences from data generated using next generation sequencing platforms aimed at improving the sensitivity of virus surveillance as well as phylogenetic analysis. The results will be used to better understand the prevalence of human enteroviruses in different human populations, the effect of vaccine use on virus transmission and molecular virus evolutionary pathways thorough mutation and recombination events.
- To lead research and development programs aimed at improving methods and analytical algorithms to analyse polio vaccines and detect and characterize polio and non-polio enteroviruses, as well as other viruses associated with human disease such as SARS-CoV-2, from surveillance activities with a special focus on direct detection and next generation sequencing analysis of viral genomes using Illumina and Nanopore technology.
- To use and develop bioinformatics pipelines for the analysis of vial sequences generated from surveillance activities and molecular analysis of polio vaccines.
- Lead training and implementation activities in WHO laboratories around the world on the molecular identification and characterization of viral genomes from clinical and environmental samples using next generation sequencing methods to expand capacity, increase demand and generate further data on performance (sensitivity, specificity, speed, accuracy, feasibility).
- Engage with national and international external stakeholders, including other WHO Collaborating Centers and Polio Laboratories, UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA), the World Health Organization (WHO), the European Directorate on Quality of Medicines, US Food and Drug Administration, regulatory agencies, vaccine manufacturers and academic institutes to deliver expert services, training, scientific and technical advice to support the statutory functions.
- A PhD in a relevant field, or equivalent experience with evidence of R&D; an excellent practical and theoretical knowledge of the WHO global poliovirus eradication initiative including surveillance activities.
- Experience with statistical analysis and interpreting results derived from large complex data sets, including complex sequencing data from next generation sequencing, generating clear reports and scientific manuscripts.
- Highly skilled in deep sequencing analysis particularly in methods using direct detection of viral sequences from clinical and environmental samples using Nanopore and Illumina technology.
- Excellent understanding of bioinformatics analysis of nucleic acid sequences using both command line and specialised software.
- 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.
- Interview, which can include questions based on the Behaviour, Experience, Technical and Strengths Success Profiles.
