Head of Epidemiology (FTC)- £76,000 p.a. + benefits

Job summary

We are currently looking for aHead of Epidemiologyto join ourScientific Data & InsightFunctionwithin theSafety and Surveillance group.

This is afull-timeopportunity, on afixed term contract for 3 months,with the possibility of an extension.The role will be based in 10 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf London, E14 4PU. 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 8 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 12 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.

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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.��

To deliver effectively on our central mission of protecting public health, we need robust vigilance processes that are able to quickly detect, monitor and evaluate safety signals across the product lifecycle, the ability to critically evaluate the benefit/risk balance of signals of concern and design effective risk mitigations, to communicate effectively to patients and the public and a healthcare system able to implement them.� The Safety and Surveillance Group brings together into a single integrated structure expertise on the safety of all medical products with enforcement capabilities. These functions are supported by the Agency�s data and evidence generating capabilities complementing our signal generating abilities delivered via the common vigilance platform SafetyConnect.

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Safety remains at the heart of all our decision making across the product life cycle. The central mission of the Safety & Surveillance portfolio is to protect the public by appropriately identifying, assessing and managing the risks associated with medical products. In every aspect of this work, we harness the best science, technology, information and professional practice to protect patients in new and impactful ways.

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Job description

In support of this mission, the Scientific Data & Insight function is responsible for developing expertise in house to deliver evidence to underpin these new approaches. Quality and speed of regulatory decision making is dependent on having access to high-quality, representative data in a timely fashion but also being able to access and analyse in house data and information in the most effective way. A critical aspect of this work will include the exploration and application of new analytical methodologies including AI and machine learning methods such as natural language processing, large language models and computer modelling and simulation approaches. Hence developing and strengthening capacity and capability in data science within MHRA is a key strategic objective to ensure we are best placed to address the future evidence generation needs for both medicines and devices.

What�s the role?

The use and application of epidemiology has a long tradition in medical product safety and surveillance and is a critical element in the assessment of safety signals. The Head of Epidemiology has a key role in leading and continually developing the use of epidemiology within the Safety and Surveillance Group working to ensure that observational data and epidemiological methods are applied to best effect in the detection of safety signals, assessment of risk management plans, the design and conduct of epidemiology studies, the resolution of safety issues, and the monitoring of outcomes, all in the context of medical products. The role also provides an important link with external bodies with regard to data capture and medicine and medical device research relevant to regulation.

Line management of the Epidemiology Unit with responsibility for ensuring the work of the team is in line with the public health priorities of the Agency and that it is best placed to deliver upon its objectives Work to optimise the capture and use of observational data to support the work of the Agency across the medical product lifecycle Lead on the interaction with diverse scientific, technical and business experts to ensure scientific quality and timely, effective project delivery while adhering to ethical requirements and responding to business needs Ensure that epidemiological methods are applied to best effect in the detection of safety signals, the assessment of risk management plans and other relevant data, the resolution of safety issues, and the monitoring of outcomes in the context of medical products Liaison with the Pharmaceutical Industry regarding post-authorisation safety studies and risk management to ensure that such plans are acceptable and relevant for UK use Linking with external institutions regarding the capture, collation, and use of observational data to support regulation Advise Unit staff on observational data and epidemiological methods Working in partnership with other Groups in the Agency, to identify, develop and deliver cross-Agency activities such as supporting Innovation, advice-giving and other activities to be identified including developing and agreeing suitable resourcing plans. Where necessary, identifying and developing grant proposals to seek external funding for specific projects. Contribute proactively to the Agency�s plans to continuously improve patient and public involvement in its work across all parts of the regulatory journey.

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Person specification

High level of experience in Statistics or epidemiology. Experience working collaboratively as part of a research team. An understanding of medical product regulation is desirable but not essential. Substantial experience in conducting epidemiological research in the safety and effectiveness of medical products or in a closely related academic research area. Experience in utilising secondary data. Excellent interpersonal and leadership skills with proven ability to work effectively within a multidisciplinary environment. Experience of leadership and management. PhD in epidemiology, public health, statistics, or related field. Ability to apply advanced epidemiological theory and techniques throughout the medical product life cycle. Experience in producing and presenting credible reports, both for peer-reviewed journals and to support policy decision-making, on the scientific data under review. Excellent understanding of advanced epidemiological methods.

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Benefits

Alongside your salary of �76,000, Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency contributes �22,017 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Annual Leave: 25 days annual leave on entry, rising by one day for each completed year of service to a maximum of 30 days and pro-rata for part-time staff. PLUS 8 bank holidays�Privilege Leave: 1 day��Hours of Work: 37 hours (net) per week for full time staff in all geographical locations, including London and pro rata for part-time staff�Occupational Sick Pay (OSP): One month full pay/one month half pay on entry, rising by one month for each completed year of service to a maximum of five months full pay/five months half pay�Mobility: Mobility clause in contracts allowing staff to be mobile across the Civil ServiceCivil Service Pension Scheme.� Please see the link for further information For enquiries relating to the Civil Service Pension Schemes please contact MyCSP's Pension Service Centre directly on �Flexible working to ensure staff maintain a healthy work-life balance�Interest free season ticket loan or bike loan�Employee Assistance Services and access to the Civil Service Benevolent Fund�Eligibility to join the Civil Service Motoring Association (CSMA)Variety of staff and Civil Service clubs�On-going learning and development�