Regulatory affairs officer: job description

Regulatory affairs officers act as a link between companies and regulatory authorities, ensuring that products are manufactured and distributed in compliance with appropriate legislation.

The profession offers opportunities for travel and international employment.

What does a regulatory affairs officer do? Typical employers | Qualifications and training | Key skills

Regulatory affairs officers ensure that products such as cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and veterinary medicines meet legislative requirements.

Key duties of the job include:

studying scientific and legal documents
gathering, evaluating, organising, managing and collating information in a variety of formats
ensuring compliance with regulations set by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)
maintaining familiarity with company product ranges
planning, undertaking and overseeing product trials and regulatory inspections
keeping up to date with changes in regulatory legislation and guidelines
analysing complicated information, including trial data
offering advice about company policies, practices and systems
obtaining marketing permission
outlining requirements for labelling, storage and packaging
using a variety of specialist computer applications
liaising and negotiating with regulatory authorities
providing advice about regulations to manufacturers/scientists
writing comprehensible, user-friendly, clear product information leaflets and labels
ensuring that quality standards are met and submissions meet strict deadlines
preparing documentation.

Typical employers of regulatory affairs officers

Chemicals manufacturers
Pharmaceuticals manufacturers
Herbal treatments manufacturers
Pesticides manufacturers
Medical devices manufacturers
Veterinary treatment manufacturers
Homeopathic medicine manufacturers
Research organisations
MHRA

Vacancies are advertised online, by careers services, in national newspapers and in scientific publications such as New Scientist, Science, Microbiology Today andPharmaceutical Journal. Specialist recruitment agencies also occasionally advertise opportunities. Speculative applications to major pharmaceutical and chemical companies are advisable.

Qualifications and training required

You can only become a regulatory affairs officer if you have a relevant degree such as chemistry, physics, biochemistry, biotechnology, pharmacy, medicinal chemistry, biomedical science, life or applied science.

A relevant postgraduate qualification (PhD or research-based MSc) may be advantageous. Read our article on scientific postgraduate study to explore your different options and visit the science section of TARGETpostgrad for lots more advice. A list of courses and MScs are also available on The Organisation for Professionals in Regulatory Affairs’ (TOPRA’s) website.

Postdoctoral research, practical research or laboratory work experience is also beneficial. Regulatory affairs experience is particularly sought after.