MHRA Graduate Scheme - £27,837 p.a. + benefits

Who are we looking for?  

• A 2:1 undergraduate degree (or an equivalent level of vocational experience) in a life sciences or biomedicine discipline. 
• A demonstrable interest in public health and the life sciences. 
• Applications from existing Civil Servants and external candidates are both welcomed. 
• Candidates who can demonstrate high potential in line with the Civil Service Accelerated Development Model of Potential. 

If you would like to find out more about this fantastic opportunity, please read our job description and person specification or visit our graduate scheme website for an overview of the kinds of roles and responsibilities you would undertake. 

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 grads@mhra.gov.uk. 

The selection process:  

We use the Civil Service Success Profiles to assess our candidates. You can find out more here.  

• Step 1: an online application form, where you will need to detail why you are applying to the scheme, how you meet the Civil Service Model of Potential and how you meet the  Success Profiles Behaviours. You will also be asked to submit your CV. Remove references to your name/title; name of educational institutions; age; gender; nationality/immigration status in your statements and the CV that you upload. This means we can recruit based on your knowledge and skills, and not background, gender or ethnicity – it’s called name blind recruitment.  Please ensure all application questions are completed in full. Your application may not be considered if any responses are left blank. 

• Step 2: For those that make it through the application stage, you will undertake an online pre-Recorded Interview, which may include questions based on the Behaviours, Experience, Technical and Strengths elements of the Civil Service Success Profiles.  

• Step 3: For those that make it through the online interview stage, the final step will be a day long Assessment Centre. This will consist of further interviews, tests and presentations based on the Ability, Behaviour, Experience and Strengths elements of the Success Profiles. Further information will be supplied when you reach this stage. 

In the instance that we receive a high number of applications, we will hold an initial sift based on the lead criterion of Working Together. 

Applicants are assessed on whether they meet any mandatory requirements as well as against the stated Civil Service Success Profiles criteria and the Civil Service Model of Potential. Ensure you have read these thoroughly and allow sufficient time.  

If you require any disability related adjustments at any point during the process, please contact grads@mhra.gov.uk as soon as possible.  

Closing date: Monday 17 April 2023 

Interview dates:  

Pre-Recorded Video Interviews: Friday 21st to Friday 28th April 2023 
Assessment centre dates: W/C Monday 19th June 2023 

If you need assistance applying for this role or have any other questions, please contact grads@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. 

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. 

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, you should firstly contact Mira Mepa, Head of Recruitment and Operations, Mira.Mepa@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  

info@csc.gov.uk

Civil Service Commission  

Room G/8  

1 Horse Guards Road  

London  

SW1A 2HQ