Scientific Adviser Lightning

Job summary

This is an exciting opportunity for an exceptional candidate to support the Test & Evaluation (T&E) of the F-35 Lightning II (Ltng) air system as part of a dynamic, multinational and multidisciplinary test team. This MOD Grade 7 post offers an opportunity for someone with substantial defence knowledge, strong technical, leadership and interpersonal skills, and previous experience in T&E, to make a tangible difference to UK Combat Air power at a time of significant global tension.

The successful candidate will lead and manage a small team of MOD civilian analysts split across two locations who provide direct support to both sovereign (UK-unique) and US-led Ltng T&E activity. This post reports directly to the Senior Scientific Adviser in the Air & Space Warfare Centre (ASWC) HQ at RAF Waddington, with the geographic and temporal separation from the UK requiring a high degree of autonomy.

This is a reserved post, so please check the eligibility requirements.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week and the tour length is 3 years.

The successful applicant will need to complete 2 weeks of pre-deployment preparation and briefings at the ASWC HQ prior to being posted to the US.

The location of this post will be determined post-interview in discussion with the successful applicant.

U.S (United States). visa law does not recognise common-law relationships. Where only a tourist Visa is given by USA immigration, we are unable to accept the partner as ‘officially recognised’ and the employee is classed as unaccompanied for the overseas tour. This is in line with the current policy which states that whilst we might recognise SOWER status, we are still bound by the host countries VISA requirements, and we can only support the partner if a full VISA is provided not a tourist VISA.

Job description

The Air & Space Warfare Centre (ASWC) is the primary source of impartial, authoritative and integrated advice to support success on current and future operations in the Air and Space environments, including associated Electronic Warfare, Cyber and Information.

The ASWC’s Operational Research Branch (ORB) is the provider of impartial scientific analysis support on matters relating to current and future operational capabilities. The ORB team of civilian (MOD/Dstl) operational research and test specialists, embedded in the HQ and across multiple ASWC units, provides evidence-based analysis to support decision making by Front Line squadrons, Test and Evaluation Squadrons (TES), and Air Command.

The ASWC’s 17 Test & Evaluation Squadron (17TES) is a joint Royal Air Force/Royal Navy unit conducting Operational Test (OT) of the F-35B at Edwards Air Force Base (AFB) in southern California. As well as conducting sovereign OT activity, 17TES is part of the US-led F-35 United Operational Test Team (UOTT) based at Nellis AFB in Nevada. The UOTT is charged with testing all three F-35 variants for the US, UK and Australian services.

The primary function of Scientific Adviser (Ltng) is to lead, manage and develop a small team of four UK MOD analysts (two embedded in 17TES and two embedded in the UOTT) who support the independent assessment of Ltng capabilities being fielded by UK and coalition forces. This includes ensuring all analysts are applying proven scientific practices to test design and data collection, are using the most appropriate analytical and statistical techniques to interpret the data, and are able to generate scientifically robust analysis products that underpin the key findings in test reports. The jobholder should also encourage the development of innovative analytical tools and liaison with other UK and US organisations to leverage pre-existing tools and data.

Scientific Adviser (Ltng) must maintain a holistic view of all analyst tasks, and understand how they relate to the strategic goals of both UK MOD and the UOTT, in order to set clear priorities for the team and ensure best use is made of this scarce analyst resource. Due to the team being based overseas, the jobholder has additional responsibility for the welfare of the analysts (and any dependents they may have) outside the work environment.

This is an excellent opportunity to have direct influence within the multi-national F-35 programme (the world’s largest defence programme) and ensure the UK Ltng Force remains as informed as possible on the latest strengths and limitations of this 5th Generation air system as hardware and software is updated. This post directly impacts the lethality and survivability of Ltng aircraft, and the overall effectiveness of UK Combat Air power, in the most hostile of environments.

If you need to contact Defence Business Services (DBS) regarding this vacancy, please indicate that your vacancy is being handled by Resourcing Team 1. If you experience any technical difficulties with the CS Jobs system, please contact the Support Team at candidate@support.oleeo.com

Person specification

The successful applicant will be expected to:

• Lead, manage and develop a small team of MOD civilian analysts, providing effective analytical support to both 17TES and the F-35 UOTT.
• Provide technical advice and review T&E documentation to ensure all activity is achievable, efficient, scientifically robust, and provides meaningful, useable information to benefit force commanders and the warfighter.
• Support the development of UK Ltng T&E capability through engagement with the F-35 Joint Program Office (JPO), the UOTT, industry, test ranges, contractor support, and facilities management.
• Provide advice to senior RAF leadership on UK and international policy issues, and represent the ORB at management, security and operational sovereignty meetings.

• Provide technical advice to UOTT leadership on test philosophy, requirements, and execution across a range of real world and synthetic T&E activities.
• Provide advice to 17TES and UOTT analysts on data collection, processing, analysis, and modelling & simulation issues.
• Promote technical rigour within 17TES and UOTT documentation including test plans, procedures, and reports.
• Meet the nationality requirements for access to Special Access Program (SAP) material. Specific queries regarding this should be directed to the advertisement contact details.

Experience

The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate experience of:

• The T&E of complex systems.
• Modelling & simulation, including interpretation of outputs and model verification & validation.
• Application of Operational Research using a range of OR methods and tools.
• The application of scientific and/or analytical techniques to solving real world problems.
• The management, manipulation, and analysis of large data sets.
• Clearly communicating analytical results to a range of technical and non-technical audiences, through technical reports and presentations.
• Leading a team or major project.
• Working with highly sensitive information.

It is desirable that the successful candidate can demonstrate experience of:

• Managing others as a line manager, project manager, or military leader.
• The MOD and Defence environment, especially in Combat Air concepts and doctrine.
• Trials planning, design and execution.
• The T&E of air systems, including both open air flight test and synthetic test environments.
• Using advanced statistical techniques.
• Working with classified information.
• Working with Special Access Programmes (SAPs).

This post does not require professional ‘badges’ but if candidates are badged members of the GORS or Government Statistical Service (GSS), arrangements may be made for continued funding of GORS/GSS membership while in this post (but not guaranteed).

Please read the attached ‘SOFA Restrictions’ document to confirm you are eligible to apply for this post.

Due to some of the remote locations you will be expected to work, a valid UK Driving License is essential.

Licences

Valid UK Drivers License

Qualifications

Scientific or other numerate degree. Evidence will be required at interview.

All qualifications, licences or memberships declared must be held at point of application and if applicable be in date. Equivalents will not be accepted.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Leadership
• Seeing the Big Picture
• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Knowledge and application of OR skills and techniques
• Achieving impact with analysis

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £61,630, Ministry of Defence contributes £17,854 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 28.97%
• Holiday Entitlement - 25-day annual leave allowance per year increasing by 1 day per year (maximum 30 days per year). In addition, 8 statutory Bank Holidays and 1 privilege day per year. MoD recognises the diverse religious origins within its workforce and seeks to accommodate individual leave requirements.
• Special Paid Leave to volunteer up to 6 days per year.
• Flexible Working - Full time staff will work 37 hours a week but have some flexibility of when they complete these hours, subject to operational requirements. Part time working and job sharing is not possible for this post.
• Learning & Development - MoD aims to provide its civilian staff with 5 days a year of Learning & Development (L&D) tailored to your role, delivered through a combination of high-quality training courses and informal opportunities.
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity.
• We also offer an excellent range of family-friendly benefits, for example, enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption leave.

This overseas post attracts additional benefits including:

• Shipping and storage of a limited amount of personal effects as part of an overseas relocation package.
• Overseas Rent Allowance and payment of basic utilities for the duration of the tour.
• Cost of Living Allowance to account for higher living costs in the US.
• Defence medical insurance providing equivalent healthcare entitlement to that provided by UK NHS.

Discover My Benefits:

Please follow the link to visit the Discover My Benefits site which showcases the benefits and discounts offered when working as a civilian for the MOD. https://discovermybenefits.mod.gov.uk/civilian/

This post offers full relocation allowances subject to availability. Cost of Living Overseas Allowance is payable based on personal circumstances and marital status.

Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

The first stage of the selection process requires all candidates to complete a Civil Service Numerical Test and a Civil Service Verbal Test. Candidates that do not achieve the threshold scores will be rejected from the process. Candidates who successfully complete the assessments will be invited to proceed with the next stage of the process.

At the second stage of the selection process, candidates will be required to anonymously provide:

• A short personal statement highlighting how they meet the essential/desirable criteria for the position;
• A curriculum vitae (CV) detailing their work history and qualifications;
• Written evidence of their experience with respect to four key behaviours as described in the Civil Service Success Profiles (https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/success-profiles); and
• Written evidence of their technical skills with respect to the GORS Technical Framework 2025 (attached below).

Candidates will be sifted based on these anonymous written applications, with the highest scoring candidates being invited to the final stage.

The final stage of the selection process will be a video interview via Microsoft Teams. During the interview, the candidate’s suitability will be explored further with regard to their experience, the CS behaviours and the GORS technical skills.

We want you to have your best chance of success in our recruitment process, so, if you have any questions at any stage of the application process, please reach out to the vacancy Point of Contact.

As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came into effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points-based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical.

The role currently being advertised has not been assessed as business critical and is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points-based system. Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected, and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.

MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey – we may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is developed vetting (opens in a new window).

See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

• Name : Stuart Wragg
• Email : Stuart.Wragg824@mod.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam1@mod.gov.uk

Further information

Applicants should monitor their Civil Service Jobs application centre regularly for updates.

All broader banded (Band AA – G6) and skill zone employees joining MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a 6-month probation period effective from the employment start date.

Any move to Ministry of Defence from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/

Complaints

Please be aware that the selection and interviewing of applicants is the responsibility of the Recruiting Line Manager (RLM) and not the Defence Business Services (DBS) Resourcing team. DBS does not play any part in the selection and interview process itself.

Therefore, if you wish to discuss your feedback, or you are dissatisfied with your markings, you should in the first instance raise this with the Recruiting Line Manager of the vacancy.

If you are dissatisfied with the service you have received from DBS or believe that DBS has failed to follow the recruitment process in line with the Civil Service Commission principles of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of Fair and Open competition, you can raise a formal complaint, using the following options:

Emailing the DBS Complaints Team: dbs-complaints@mod.gov.uk

Calling the DBS Enquiry Centre: 0800 345 7772

We recommend using the above channels to raise all complaints relating to the level of service provided to you by DBS.

If after raising your complaint with DBS, you remain dissatisfied you can complain directly to the Civil Service Commission at the following address:

Civil Service commission
Room G/8
1 Horse Guards Road
London
SW1a 2HQ

Or by email: info@csc.gov.uk

Cabinet Office Fraud Checks

Applicants who are successful at interview will be, as part of pre-employment screening, subject to a check on the Internal Fraud Database (IFD). This check will provide information about employees who have been dismissed for fraud or dishonesty offences. This check also applies to employees who resign or otherwise leave before being dismissed for fraud or dishonesty had their employment continued. Any applicant whose details are found to be held on the IFD will be refused employment.

If you need to contact Defense Business Services (DBS) regarding this vacancy, please indicate that your vacancy is being handled by Resourcing Team 1.

If you experience any technical difficulties with the CS Jobs system, please contact the Support Team at candidate@support.oleeo.com

Please see the MOD Privacy Policy Notice which informs how we will use your personal data, explains your rights and gives you information you are entitled to under Data Protection legislation.

Optima Health conducts pre-employment health assessments on behalf of the MOD and may contact you in respect of your application on the contact details you provide, should an offer of employment be made. Optima Health’s Privacy notice describes how your personal data may be processed for those purposes.

Attachments

GORS_Technical_Framework_2025 Opens in new window (pdf, 545kB)20230201 - Air Command's Applicant Guide Opens in new window (pdf, 499kB)Ministry of Defence – Revised Terms and Conditions of Service (TACOS) Opens in new window (pdf, 298kB)SOFA Restrictions Opens in new window (pdf, 105kB)