Scientists (Band 5 / E0)

Job summary

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is the independent regulator for workplace health and safety across Great Britain. Our mission is to protect people and places so that everyone can lead safer and healthier lives. We do this not only through inspections and investigations, but also by shaping industry practice, developing guidance and regulations, providing specialist scientific services, and producing research and evidence to support Great Britain in working well.

We are looking for two enthusiastic and motivated Scientists to join the Control Team within HSE Science, Engineering and Analysis Division (SEAD), Health – Exposure & Control (HEC) Group. These roles are ideally suited to individuals at the start of their scientific career, particularly those who have studied a science subject or gained hands on laboratory experience.

Collaboration is central to how we work. You will support regulatory, investigative and forensic work through laboratory based and field work, contributing to projects that address existing and emerging workplace health risks. You will work with colleagues across the group and the wider organisation, including scientists, policy teams and senior leaders.

These posts are based at HSE’s Science & Research Centre in Buxton, Derbyshire,an internationally recognised facility employing scientific, medical and technical experts across a 550 acre site. As the work involves significant site‑based laboratory and practical activities, you will be required to work on site for the majority of your time. Remote working may be possible for some tasks; however, the role cannot be carried out predominantly from home.

Being based on site also means you’ll have access to laboratories, equipment and colleagues, enabling hands‑on learning and close collaboration with experienced scientists.

Working Pattern

Part time working hours are available for this role. We can accept part time applicants who can commit to a minimum of 30 hours per week.

Job description

The government announced on 30 June 2025 that the Building Safety Regulator (BSR) is to become an Arm's Length Body (ALB) of Ministry for Housing, Communities, and Local Government (MHCLG) and will be moved out of HSE. This is the natural next step in the development of the regulator and was always a likely outcome once BSR was established.

It has been confirmed that the ALB will be a Non-crown, Non-Departmental Public Body (NDPB), and as such its employees will be Public Servants, rather than Civil Servants.

Any successful candidates that are currently Civil Servants should note that they will be onboarded directly into the new NDPB. This will mean that candidates will become public servants. Candidates will retain access to the Civil Service Pension Scheme.

Further details of the impact on existing Civil Servants applying for new roles within BSR are being finalised, and we will communicate these updates to any applicants via their application on Civil Service Jobs throughout the recruitment process

As a Band 5 Scientist, you will support the delivery of laboratory and field‑based work to support HSE’s regulatory, forensic and investigative activities. These are development roles, working under appropriate supervision and training, and are suitable for applicants who are developing their practical scientific experience.

Working under the guidance of senior scientists and technical team leads, you will contribute to scientific projects that address emerging workplace health risks. You will develop practical and analytical skills across occupational hygiene and related areas, contributing to high‑quality scientific outputs that inform policy, regulation and decision‑making.

You will work collaboratively with colleagues from a range of disciplines across HSE, contributing to an integrated team delivering high‑quality science in support of health and safety across Great Britain.

These posts offer an excellent opportunity to develop hands‑on scientific experience within an internationally recognised organisation. Training will be provided, and the role involves working under appropriate supervision, aligned to the responsibilities of a Band 5 (EO) Scientist.

Areas of work

Examples of the teams current work include activities across workplace air quality and respiratory protective equipment (RPE). Successful candidates will initially work across a range of activities and will receive training and support to develop their skills. Over time, individuals may develop greater depth in particular areas, aligned to business needs and personal strengths.

Workplace air quality

This work involves the characterisation and sampling of airborne particles and contaminants, often generated during advanced manufacturing processes. Activities are primarily laboratory‑based and include the use of monitoring equipment and the construction and operation of bespoke test rigs. There is also an element of field work, visiting workplaces to take measurements. Recent examples include studying airborne emissions from 3D printing and characterising exposures associated with working with natural and artificial stone.

Respiratory protective equipment (RPE)

This work focuses on the technical performance of RPE and laboratory testing methods. Recent projects have included evaluating emerging international test methods, supporting the Government’s RPE response during the COVID‑19 pandemic, and contributing to fatal incident investigations.

Key responsibilities

Your key responsibilities will include, but will not be limited to:

• Working to established scientific health, safety, quality and operational procedures and methodologies, ensuring laboratory and field based scientific work is carried out safely, accurately and in compliance with relevant procedures.
• Undertaking hands‑on scientific laboratory and, where required, field‑based scientific activities to support HSE’s regulatory, investigative and research work, under appropriate supervision.
• Contributing to scientific projects, including supporting method development, data generation, data processing and reporting, in line with agreed objectives and timescales.
• Accurately recording, managing and presenting scientific data, with appropriate attention to data quality, traceability and record‑keeping requirements.
• Working collaboratively with colleagues on multidisciplinary scientific project work, contributing to shared scientific objectives within the team and wider group.
• Supporting literature searches, evidence reviews and background research, with guidance and supervision as appropriate.
• Providing laboratory, technical and business support to other teams within the HEC Group (Health – Exposure & Control), as required.
• Some periods of lone working in laboratory environments will be required, subject to appropriate training, risk assessment and control measures.

Person specification

Essential Skills & Criteria

• Experience of working in a scientific laboratory environment - undertaking hands on analytical, measurement or testing activities, involving the application of scientific knowledge to generate, handle, analyse or record scientific data; working to defined scientific procedures and/or methods where accuracy and data quality are critical.
• Experience of working to health, safety, quality and operational procedures specifically in a scientific laboratory environment, with an understanding of why attention to accuracy, record‑keeping and compliance are essential.
• Ability to independently record, collate and present scientific data accurately, with an understanding of data quality, traceability and reproducibility in a scientific context.
• Evidence of developing new laboratory based scientific skills, including learning and applying new scientific procedures or methods, and/or adapting to unfamiliar laboratory based scientific work.
• Ability to communicate effectively within a scientific team, including explaining scientific work undertaken, results obtained and/or issues identified to audiences with varying backgrounds.

Travel

Travel is an integral part of the role, and you will be required to undertake meetings, training and off‑site workplace visits across the UK, including transporting equipment and samples. The frequency of travel will vary according to business and project needs. For details of HSE locations please see here HSE Offices

You will also have opportunities for professional development, including attending conferences, accessing professional memberships, and contributing to scientific publications and presentations.

At HSE, we are proud to be able to offer our people the opportunity to work in a hybrid way which combines working from home and the office. This is a voluntary, non-contractual arrangement, and your allocated office will be your contractual place of work.

There will be a requirement to travel to the office for various activities, e.g., collaborative working, supporting and training colleagues. If hybrid working is suitable for you and your role, you will be expected to attend the office, or other business-related site, for 60% of your working week. The arrangements will be determined primarily by business need, but personal circumstances and other relevant circumstances will also be taken into account.

Therefore, we would encourage candidates to consider if the commute from home to the office is a feasible distance to travel before making an application. Please note that if you are successful, hybrid working will be discussed prior to taking up the post.

Licences

A full UK driving licence is required for this role, at the time of application, as you will be expected to travel to sites and transport equipment and samples as part of your duties.
Adjustments will be considered for applicants who are unable to drive due to a disability but can meet the travel requirements of the role by other suitable means.

Behaviours

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

• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace
• Making Effective Decisions

Technical skills

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

• Practical experience of working within a scientific laboratory environment

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £31,657, Health and Safety Executive contributes £9,171 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity

We invest in our people with;

• Competitive rates of pay
• Access to the highly competitive Civil Service Pension Scheme to which HSE contribute 28.97% far more than in the private sector.
• Family friendly policies and working hours to help balance your home life and career
• Carer friendly policies to help create a supportive working culture
• 25 days annual holiday increasing to 30 days after 5 years' service, plus bank holidays and 1-day Civil Service privilege leave
• Parental leave benefits
• As a member of HSE you will gain access to a wide range of fantastic benefits that you can take advantage of such as the Cycle to Work Scheme, E-Gift Cards, and Vouchers via our partner EdenRed.

This post is eligible for Excess Fares Allowance. A successful internal candidate currently based at another office may be entitled to Excess Fares Allowance in line with HSE policy Excess fares allowance policy and procedure)

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.

Application Information

As part of your application, you will be invited to complete an anonymised CV which should include your career history, experience, and qualifications. Please ensure you tailor your CV to match the Essential Skills and Criteria as listed within the advert.

You will also be asked required to complete an anonymised Personal Statement, of no more than 750 words, which demonstrates how you meet the Essential Skills and Criteria set out in this job advert. In the event of a high number of applications we will sift on the Personal Statement, then your C.V.

You should use specific examples from your own experience to show how you meet each of the essential requirements, taking into account the role you are applying for. Examples should clearly explain what you did, how you did it, and the outcome, to help us understand how your experience demonstrates the required skills.

You may find it helpful to structure your examples using the STAR method (Situation, Task, Action, Result), although this is not mandatory.

Application Guidance

Please access the following link for guidance on how to apply and how to complete a Personal Statement https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/how-to-apply/

Using the STAR method The STAR method , National Careers Service

Technical skills information Government Science and Engineering (GSE) Career Framework, November 2021 (Version 2)

Sift Information

The sift will take place during week commencing 1st June 2026 when you will be assessed on your Personal Statement and CV.

Interview Information

Interviews will take place on Tuesday 23, Wednesday 24 and/or Thursday 25 June 2026 and will be held in person at our Buxton office. At interview, candidates will be assessed against the Behaviours, Technical Skills and Experience outlined in the job advert.

Please note: Both sift and interview dates may be subject to change due to panel availability.

Sponsorship

This role is not open to application from those who will require sponsorship under the points-based system. Should you apply for this role and require sponsorship your application will be rejected, and any provisional offers of employment will be withdrawn.

Further Information

Please note that a Reserve List will be held for the period of up to 12 months. There is no guarantee you will be offered a role from our reserve lists, so if you see a vacancy on Civil Service Jobs that you are interested in, we recommend you apply.

HSE reserve the right to conduct additional checks, including Google and social media checks, when recruiting candidates into a role within HSE. These checks will be carried out in line with the Civil Service Commission Principles and, if used all candidates will be subject to these additional checks.

From 23rd June 2025, if you are successful at interview, as part of your pre-employment checks, HSE’s Recruitment Team are required to check your details against the Internal Fraud Hub (IFH), using your personal details – name, NINO, and date of birth. If you are included on the database, you will be refused employment. If you believe that there has been an error in the inclusion of your data and wish to make an appeal, please contact the CO email box internal.fraud@cabinetoffice.gov.uk.

Details of the types of internal fraud/dishonesty covered by this process are defined by the Cabinet Office and can be found here Internal Fraud Register privacy notice - GOV.UK

It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure they are aware of the terms and conditions they will adopt should they be successful in their application. For a summary of HSE terms and conditions as part of Civil Service Reform, please see the attached HSE Terms and Conditions document.

Existing Civil Servants and applicants from accredited NDPBs are eligible to apply but will only be considered on loan basis (Civil Servants) or secondment (accredited NDPBs). Prior agreement to be released on a loan basis must be obtained before commencing the application process. In the case of Civil Servants, the terms of the loan will be agreed between the home and host department and the Civil Servant. This includes grade on return.

Furthermore, existing Civil Servants must gain written approval from their Line Manager prior to applying for this campaign. At the point of offer, you will be asked to provide this evidence. Offers will be revoked if the appropriate approvals cannot be produced when requested.

Progression through pay ranges is subject to annual pay awards as permitted within annual Civil Service pay remit guidance and negotiations with Trade Unions.

HSE is proud to be a part of the Disability Confidence Scheme (DCS). As a Disability Confident employer, we positively welcome applications from disabled people. We are committed to making workplace adjustments to ensure anyone can participate in the recruitment and selection process.

If during the application or interview process, you require any assistance due to a disability or a medical condition, please contact us at the email address below to discuss how we can support you. For example, if you have a disability, and you need an application form in an alternative format or you would like to know more about our recruitment process, please contact: HR.Resourcing-Team@hse.gov.uk

If successful in securing your role, HSE can provide suitable workplace adjustments to support you throughout your career with HSE.

Any move to HSE 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 here.

Please note, if you are a current civil servant and you are currently undergoing any of the following formal actions your application will not be progressed any further;
Formal discipline action, any formal action regarding attendance, poor performance or any restriction of duties as a result of disciplinary action.

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

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 : Chris Belfield
• Email : chris.belfield@hse.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : hr.resourcing-team@hse.gov.uk

Further information

If you believe that Civil Service Commission principles of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of Fair and Open competition have not been met, you can raise a complaint by emailing: HR.Resourcing-Team@hse.gov.uk or by writing to HSE at the following address:
HR Resourcing Team, 2.3 Redgrave Court, Merton Road, Bootle, Merseyside, L20 7HS. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact Civil Service commissioners: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/code/civilservicecode…

Attachments

HSE Terms and Conditions - CSJ Advert Annex Opens in new window (pdf, 116kB)