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Presentation

• Presented by: Dr Lee Walsh
• Presented at: University of New South Wales, Faculty of Medicine
• Presentation date: 19 August 2016
• Presentation summary: This presentation provided an overview of working at the TGA for scientists and engineers, as an alternative to a career in academic research.

Transcript

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From Research to Public Service: What do scientists and engineers do at the TGA

Dr Lee Walsh
Senior Engineer
Biomaterials Engineering, Laboratories Branch
Therapeutic Goods Administration

University of New South Wales, Faculty of Medicine, 19 August 2016

Slide 1 - Who is the TGA?

• The Therapeutic Goods Administration was established in 1990 to "safeguard and enhance the health of the Australian community through effective and timely regulation of therapeutic goods"
• It provides a national system of controls relating to the quality, safety, efficacy and timely availability of therapeutic goods used in, or exported from, Australia

Slide 2 - Who is the TGA?

• We are part of the Australian Government Department of Health
• Every decision the TGA makes is based on the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989
• Main offices in Canberra - satellite offices in Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide and Brisbane
• Operations are primarily cost recovered (98%) industry pays fees for making applications and annual charges for products they are responsible for

Slide 3 - Where is the TGA?

Slide 4 - Where is the TGA?

Purpose built science and engineering building

Slide 5 - Who works at the TGA?

Approximately 750 staff made up of:

• Biomedical scientists
• Pharmacists
• Nutritionists
• Engineers
• Nurses
• Dieticians
• Physiotherapists
• Toxicologists
• Scientists
• Medical officers
• Lawyers
• Administrative staff

Slide 6 - What Sci/Eng do at the TGA

Lab work

Slide 7 - What Sci/Eng do at the TGA

Reading and writing

Slide 8 - What Sci/Eng do at the TGA

Analysis

Slide 9 - What Sci/Eng do at the TGA

Advise & collaborate

Slide 10 - What Sci/Eng do at the TGA

Make recommendations and decisions

Slide 11 - My roles at the TGA

Medical devices

Pre-market (device assessor)

• Technical expert
  • Assess new devices for safety and performance
  • Make recommendations to decision makers
  • Learn about new devices
  • Write expert reports
  • Develop internal policy and systems
  • Provide technical expertise

Post-market (laboratories)

• Technical leader
  • Design testing programs
  • Laboratory testing
  • Technical assessments
  • Develop methods and standards
  • Learn about devices
  • Write lab and expert reports
  • Develop internal policy and systems
  • Provide technical expertise

Slide 12 - Advantages of being an APS

• Job security
• Good salary (vs research)
• Excellent working conditions

Advantages of working at the TGA

• High impact work
• The work is technically and professionally challenging
• Variety of work relating to medicines and medical devices
• Work with a variety of experts (technical, medical, legal)
• Technical skills, expertise, and experience are highly valued

Slide 13 - Where would neuroscientists fit?

• Biomedical scientists
• Pharmacists
• Nutritionists
• Engineers
• Nurses
• Dieticians
• Physiotherapists
• Toxicologists
• Scientists
• Medical officers
• Lawyers
• Administrative staff

Slide 14 - Where to find positions at the TGA?

• The usual places
• TGA Employment and job vacancies
  • Navigate from theTGA website footer
• APS Jobs
  • Search under Dept/Agency: Therapeutic Goods Administration

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