Horizon Scanning Specialist (Innovation Accelerator & Regulatory Science) - 60,778 68,422 p.a. + benefits
- Civil Service
- Full Time
- Canary Wharf Estate
- 60,778
Job Description
Job summary
We are currently looking for a Horizon Scanning Specialist to join our Innovation AcceleratorFunction within the Innovation and Compliance group.
This is a full-time opportunity, on a permanent basis. The role will be based in 10 South Colonnade, Canary Wharf London, E14 4PU.
The Innovation and Compliance Group delivers public health impact and world-leading research innovation. It comprises the Innovation Accelerator, Clinical Investigations and Trials, Innovative Devices, International Partnerships, and Standards and Compliance.
The Innovation Accelerator is a specialist MHRA function that supports and enables innovation in healthcare products while protecting patients and public health. It drives regulatory policy development for novel and potentially transformative products, working with MHRA technical experts, other government departments and external partners to optimise routes to market.
Job description
Role Purpose
The Horizon Scanning Specialist will lead major analytical and policy-focused work, including horizon scanning studies, deep dives and intelligence products that identify emerging healthcare innovations and translate complex signals into actionable scientific, policy and regulatory advice. The postholder will advise senior colleagues, support prioritisation and governance, and help develop and embed the agency-wide horizon scanning function. The role offers the opportunity to work across emerging science, technology and regulation with experts and partners across the health and innovation system.
Drawing on specialist scientific or technical expertise, the post holder will work across internal and external sources of evidence and business intelligence to assess emerging trends across healthcare products regulated by MHRA. They will advise senior colleagues, support prioritisation and governance, deputise for the Head of Horizon Scanning and Business Intelligence when needed, and lead defined work packages that support the development and embedding of the agency-wide horizon scanning function.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead horizon scanning and business intelligence activities to identify and assess emerging scientific, technological and regulatory developments, translating evidence into clear implications and recommended next steps for MHRA.
- Critically appraise and synthesise complex, incomplete or conflicting evidence from scientific literature, clinical trials, internal and market intelligence, stakeholder engagement and international regulatory developments.
- Produce and present high-quality outputs for senior and technical audiences, and provide robust advice to support prioritisation, governance and resource decisions.
- Develop proportionate methodologies and quality-assurance approaches, build effective stakeholder relationships, and deputise for the Head of Horizon Scanning and Business Intelligence when required.
Person specification
Essential Criteria:
- Significant experience of horizon scanning, futures, intelligence or related analytical work, with a proven track record of using structured approaches to identify, prioritise and assess emerging trends, technologies or products.
- Experience of synthesising complex information from a range of sources to deliver timely, robust and useful outputs, using proportionate evidence-review methods and appropriate digital and analytical tools
- Experience of using AI-enabled tools, automation, text analytics or data visualisation to support horizon scanning, research or business intelligence (Desirable)
