Senior Scientist - Genetic Regulation

Department for Environment, Food & Rural Affairs (DEFRA); York and North Yorkshire; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

A UK government department is seeking a Senior Regulatory Scientist to lead on biotechnology regulation. The successful candidate will provide expertise in GMO and PBO regulations, support policy development, and engage with international treaty negotiations. Strong leadership and scientific communication skills are essential. This role offers significant personal development opportunities and the chance to influence regulatory strategies across multiple sectors.

Benefits

Disability Confident employer

Qualifications

• Experience in genetics research.
• Strong knowledge of GMO and PBO regulations.
• Ability to advise on regulatory development.

Responsibilities

• Provide specialist knowledge in modern biotechnology product regulation.
• Support development of cross-cutting strategy and policy.
• Monitor regulatory landscape for innovative products.
• Lead on biosafety negotiations in Multilateral Environmental Agreements.

Skills

Leadership

Science communication

Regulatory expertise

Stakeholder engagement

Education

Degree in genetics or a related field

Job description

We are looking for a Senior Regulatory Scientist to join our Genetic Technologies Regulatory function within the Innovation, Productivity and Science Division of Defra. They will lead on the Cartagena Protocol and other international treaties. The Genetic Technology Regulatory Team are responsible for regulating the deliberate release of genetically modified organisms (GMO) and precision bred organisms (PBO). This is an exciting time for Engineering Biology, with inclusion as a sub-sector in the Industrial Strategy, and a focus for the Government Chief Scientist. The applications for PBO and GMO, span wider than agriculture, and the remit of Defra with potential benefits in health care, defence, circular economy, transport, and energy. Unlocking genetic codes across all organisms and using them to solve many of our challenges has significant potential for growth opportunities but this needs to be regulated proportionately. The Regulators lead strategic engagement with other regulators both domestically and internationally, to align regulations and innovation and work in partnership to deliver common priorities. The Genetic Technology Regulation team support the deliberate release of novel and potentially transformative GMO and PBO products to optimise their route to market. They act to ensure Defra can play its role as an enabler for delivering growth and supporting the Government priorities supporting UK Engineering Biology and how to harness the critical technologies outlined in the UK Science and Technology Framework. The team are responsive to emerging areas on innovation, problem solving and driving the regulatory policy development, providing technical subject matter expertise while focusing on the environment and health. This enables team members to develop expertise across a range of regulatory areas, giving significant personal development opportunity. What\'s the role? The role offers an exciting opportunity to promote the UK's approach to modern biotechnology innovation in the global arena. The successful candidate will deliver subject matter expertise in UK specific GMO and PBO deliberate release regulation derived from their experience working in genetics research. The successful candidate will leverage this knowledge and experience by providing advice across government and in international fora. The successful candidate will have a key role in supporting practical interpretation of horizon scanning signals, input into regulator networks and development of responses to regulatory enquires (and related activities). The role is regularly required to work at pace on multiple areas, develop creative solutions based on their regulatory expertise, and deal with competing priorities.

• Provide specialist knowledge and insight as one of the team\'s specialists in modern biotechnology product regulation, to apply regulatory expertise and knowledge to support international treaty negotiations.
• Support the Genetic Technologies team leader to drive forward the development of cross-cutting strategy, policy and guidance, working with other technical experts, contributing to Defra\'s wider innovation strategy by informing decisions on the case for change through use of evidence. This will include playing a role in developing regulatory pathways that can optimise the development of new innovative products and technologies.
• Build a strong team with the PBO and GMO regulators, to ensure resilience across the regulatory function.
• Develop and build good working relationships across Defra and across related organisations. Appreciation of different stakeholder views including industry, and academia, bringing different perspectives together to understand regulatory and technical challenges to maximise the impact of our work.
• Monitor the broader regulatory landscape relating to innovative product and regulatory environment in order to provide advice and insight to steer, prioritise, and maximise the impact of Defra\'s activities. This will include preparing and presenting high-quality briefing and guidance documents, communicating complex issues into clear and concise policy recommendations, to advise senior officials and support key decision making.
• Take a corporate lead beyond immediate work area when required.
• Lead for the UK on biosafety negotiations within Multilateral Environmental Agreements to ensure evidence based outcomes that align with internationally agreed processes.
• Implement internationally agreed regulations controlling the use and movement of GMO and PBOs across borders.

They will demonstrate strong leadership and influencing capabilities in their specialised field, with excellent science communication skills. They will have the ability to provide briefing and support to senior leadership and Ministers in their specialist field.

Disability Confident: A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer.