Higher Scientist - Global Specialised Polio Laboratory

We are currently looking for a Higher Scientist - Global Specialised Polio Laboratory to join our Research & Development function within the Science, Research & Innovation group.

Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas.

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 Science, Research and Innovation Group delivers public health impact, world-leading research innovation, and a unique proposition via an ambitious Science Strategy which will balance innovation against sustainability and affordability. It is divided into 6 sub-Groups, Innovation Accelerator, Clinical Investigations and Trials, Research and Development, Standards Lifecycle, Control Testing and Quality Assurance and Health & Safety.

This role will work within the WHO Global Specialised Polio Laboratory within the Research and Development function of the SR&I Group.

The MHRA Polio group is a world leading laboratory, with both WHO Collaborating Centre for Reference and WHO Global Specialised Polio Laboratory Network status, and is a key partner in the WHO Global Polio Eradication Initiative (GPEI). We conduct research, control, and reference standardisation work of global public health importance in the field of vaccines and surveillance.

What's the role?

The role is funded by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and aims at providing science-based guidance to the endgame strategies for the GPEI including support for immunisation programs as well as clinical and environmental surveillance systems for the detection of polio and non-polio enteroviruses.

The post holder will be responsible for undertaking laboratory-based work to improve methods and analytical algorithms to detect and characterize polio and non-polio viruses in clinical and environmental samples by Direct Detection by Nanopore Sequencing (DDNS). These include testing wastewater concentration methods, viral RNA purifications, performing molecular assays including RT-PCR, RT-qPCR and next generation sequencing analysis of viral nucleic acid preparations from both stool and sewage samples.

The group is equipped with state-of-the-art facilities, and you will gain hands-on experience in cutting-edge virology and molecular biology technologies including nanopore sequencing.

The job offers a great insight into the impact of applied research on a highly relevant global public health initiative and the possibility of international collaborations with WHO laboratories around the world. Our group is actively involved with providing training and technical assistance visits to GPLN laboratories implementing DDNS and virus isolate nanopore sequencing, offering the chance for the job holder to join and support these trips. This would provide a great opportunity for the job holder to develop a high-profile academic career in virology focused on public health and help establishing new molecular assays and reference reagents for the quality control of current and new methodologies.

Key responsibilities:

• Be accountable to the line manager, coordinating with other teams and colleagues across S&R functions as required to effectively manage the work programs on a day-to-day basis.
• Perform laboratory assays to support research and development projects aimed at improving methods and analytical algorithms to detect and characterise polio and non-polio viruses in clinical and wastewater samples using DDNS.
• Participate in international collaborations and training programs to advance capacities and capabilities within the global poliovirus surveillance.
• Analyse complex data arising from work above and contribute to the preparation of scientific reports and papers using a variety of computer software packages for publication and presentation to other scientists.
• Engage with stakeholders, as required by the team lead, including colleagues across the Agency and national and international external organisation, regulatory agencies, vaccine manufacturers and academic institutes to deliver expert services, training, scientific and technical advice to support the statutory functions.

Who are we looking for?

Our successful candidate will have:

• A BSc in a biological sciences subject or equivalent experience with evidence of R&D.
• Experience of implementing, developing and optimising laboratory procedures and conducting research experiments with accurate record keeping and reporting on findings.
• Experience of working independently as well as within a team, with good time-management and great attention to detail.
• Sound knowledge of biosafety regulations to work with human and animal infectious samples (CL2/3).
• Skills in molecular and cell-based assays applicable to viral diseases and virus characterisation including nucleic acid extraction, RT-PCR and sequencing.

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

CLICK APPLY

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

If you require any disability related adjustments at any point during the process, please contact as soon as possible.

Closing - 5 th September 2025