Job Description

Location: Addlestone, Surrey KT15 3LS
The Veterinary Medicines Directorate (VMD) is an Executive Agency of the Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and is responsible for ensuring the safety, quality, and efficacy of veterinary medicines in the UK.
We have a vacancy for a Pharmaceutical Quality Assessor.
This exciting and interesting job puts you at the heart of authorising veterinary medicines for the UK market and plays a major role in assuring the quality and hence the safety and efficacy of these medicines. You will be a member of the Quality team, one of three specialist teams within the Pharmaceuticals Section, which is in turn part of the Authorisations Division.
The main role of the Quality team is to assess quality data submitted by companies in support of their application for marketing authorisations for veterinary medicines, and applications to vary these authorisations. The Quality team also has a significant role in the delivery of the VMD's regulatory science strategy, development of regulatory and scientific guidelines, assessment of product defects, and supporting delivery of the VMD's international activities, including training other veterinary medicines regulators.
Experience
We're looking for someone that:

• has the ability to critically analyse scientific information from a range of sources and make sound judgements for medicines.
• has excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• has experience within the pharmaceutical industry or academia in at least one of the following: regulatory affairs, research and development, manufacture, or quality control of medicinal products.
• has knowledge of relevant legislation and procedures applicable to the licensing of medicinal products.
• is proficient in the use of Microsoft Office 365, particularly Word, Excel, Outlook and Teams, be able to use or learn to use Sharepoint, and be prepared to learn to use VMD bespoke databases.

Qualifications
Applicants must have a degree in pharmacy, pharmaceutical sciences, pharmaceutical chemistry or chemistry*.

• For applicants with a degree other than in pharmacy, pharmaceutical sciences, pharmaceutical chemistry or chemistry, their experience must have provided an in-depth practical understanding of factors affecting the quality of medicines, for example, work in medicinal product development or as a quality assessor in a national competent authority.

How to Apply
We are excited to hear from you! To apply for this position, please submit your application through the Civil Service Jobs website. You can find the full job description, including details on salary and location, by following this link .
The closing date for applications is 12th January 2026.
The Veterinary Medicines Directorate is an Equal Opportunity employer.
No Recruitment Agency, Newspaper or Publication calls please.
46,060 pro rata if applicable

Skills Required