Regulatory affairs officer : Employers and vacancy sources

Typical employers include companies that develop and manufacture:

• pharmaceuticals;
• chemicals;
• veterinary products;
• herbal and homeopathic products;
• medical devices;
• biotechnology;
• cosmetics;
• food/nutritional products.

Contract research organisations that undertake research trials for companies also employ regulatory affairs professionals.

The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI)  is the trade association for around 100 companies in the UK producing prescription medicines. Its member companies research, develop, manufacture and supply approximately 75% of the medicines prescribed through the National Health Service (NHS). The ABPI Careers  website includes a comprehensive list of career opportunities in the industry and a section on regulatory affairs.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) , an executive agency of the Department of Health (DH)  with responsibility for the protection of public health through the regulation of human medicines, also employs staff in regulatory affairs, as does the European Medicines Agency .

Sources of vacancies

• Search graduate jobs on this site.
• New Scientist Jobs
• PJ Online
• Clinical Discovery
• Microbiology
• The Organisation for Professionals in Regulatory Affairs (TOPRA)  - see their website for a list of specialist recruiters.
• Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)
• Specialist recruitment agencies.
• Company websites.

The European Medicines Agency  offers about 40 traineeships per year, with an intake in October (apply in June). See the website for details.

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