Head of Machine Learning

We are currently looking for a Head of Machine Learning to join our Scientific Data and Insight Team within the Safety and Surveillance group. 

This is a full-time opportunity, on a 2 Year fixed term contract/internal move or temporary promotion basis. 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.  

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 central mission of the Safety & Surveillance portfolio is to protect the public by appropriately identifying, assessing and managing the risks associated with medical products.  

The group is responsible for delivering robust vigilance processes that can detect, monitor and evaluate safety signals across the product lifecycle. This includes the ability to evaluate the risk/benefit 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.  

The Scientific Data and Insight function plays a key role in support of this mission. Its purpose is to develop and provide expertise to enhance the analytic capabilities of the Safety & Surveillance group. Activities include supporting the group with epidemiological expertise and assessments, identifying and addressing data gaps, and developing novel methods for pharmacovigilance. The division also engages in research, often in collaboration with external partners and academic institutions, and regularly publishes papers in the scientific literature. 

What’s the role? 

This role supports the Agency’s mission to protect public health by exploring novel and innovative analytical approaches to the safety of medicines and medical devices. The post holder will conduct applied research into novel machine learning/AI based approaches to pharmacovigilance, or innovative ways to monitor the safety of medical devices.  

This role would suit an established applied scientist with a proven track record of publications ideally in AI applied to health data. Willingness to work with colleagues from other disciplines is a must, as is a strong interest in public health-data. While the role will include some team management, the post-holder should be willing to do hands-on research themselves. 

There is an expectation that the postholder will publish their results in the scientific literature. 

Key responsibilities:  

• Conceive, lead and conduct original and practically relevant research into machine learning applied to drug safety.   

• Design, develop, deploy, and evaluate machine learning solutions using software such as Python, R or Julia.  

• Provide professional leadership to a team of data scientists, ensure their continuing development, provide visible leadership, and achieve performance which aligns with the strategic goals of the Agency. 

• Maintain knowledge of the state of the art in machine learning and AI and provide thought leadership to the function and the wider organisation in this area. 

Who are we looking for?  

Our successful candidate will have:  

• PhD in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, or closely related fields. 

• Extensive experience in the design, development, deployment, and evaluation of data science solutions and in the analysis and/or modelling of large, complex datasets using high-performance scientific computing.   

• Understanding of or strong interest in healthcare and/or biomedical data and its applications  

• Experience of supervision and/or line management of data scientists. 

• Experience of developing grant applications 

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

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 careers@mhra.gov.uk  

The selection process:  

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

• 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. 

• Presentation, to be prepared as part of your interview, with further information being supplied when you reach this stage. 

• Interview, which can include questions based on the Behaviour, Experience, Technical and Strengths Success Profiles.  

Applicants are assessed on whether they meet any mandatory requirements as well as the necessary skills and experience for the role. Applications are scored based on the competency-based answers provided- ensure you have read these thoroughly and allow sufficient time. You can view the competencies for this role in the job description. 

Use of AI in Job Applications 

Applicants must ensure that anything submitted is factually accurate and truthful. Plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own. 

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

Closing date: 29 July 2025 

Shortlisting date: 01 August 2025 

Interview date: 08 August 2025 

Candidates will be contacted within a week of the sift and the interviews completed to inform them of the outcome. 

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

Certain roles within the MHRA will require post holders to have vaccinations, and in some circumstances, routine health surveillance. These roles include: 

• Laboratory-based roles working directly with known pathogens 

• Maintenance roles, particularly those required to work in laboratory settings 

• Roles that involve visiting other establishments where vaccination is required 

• Roles required to travel overseas where specific vaccination may be required. 

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 Florentina Oyelami, Head of Talent Acquisition, Florentina.Oyelami@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  

About Us

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 agency is made up of c.1300 staff working across two main centres and peripatetically across the UK and abroad.

The agency consists of Corporate, Digital & Technology, Enablement, Healthcare Quality & Access, Partnerships, Safety & Surveillance and Scientific Research & Innovation.