Senior Radiation Protection Scientist

Job summary

The Radiation Hazards and Emergencies Department (RHED) leads UKHSA’s emergency response and preparedness function in case of radiation and nuclear emergencies. It also provides advice and support to external organisations and central Government on issues surrounding emergency response and countermeasures to be taken.

The Radiochemistry Group (RG) has a primary role to provide analytical measurements of environmental and biological samples to support emergency response advice, as well as providing commercial services to a broad range of customers. The work is performed under accredited systems (ISO 17025, ISO 14001)

Job description

• As a Senior Radiation Protection Scientist in the Radiochemistry Group (RG), the postholder will be responsible for a range of duties associated with laboratory-based analysis of environmental and industrial samples in support of RG’s commercial contracts.
• You will be the Project Manager for a range of commercial contracts, or significant areas of larger environmental monitoring programmes as directed by the Team Leader, with the ability to troubleshoot analytical and/or instrumental problems as they arise. You will take the lead on Quality Assurance issues associated with these programmes.
• Working with Team Leaders, the postholder will use their expertise and experience to take a leading role in in the development of new analytical protocols in support of RG’s primary roles in emergency response and sample analysis, including design and testing of development programmes, introduction of new working procedures, preparation of validation reports and staff training.
• The postholder will be Line Manager for some staff within the Team. The postholder may also be asked to undertake more general corporate duties, in areas such as safety management, environmental management or radioactivity management.

Key Responsibilities

• Contribute to current commercial contracts e.g. sample analysis, report preparation etc
• Project Manager for commercial contracts, significant programmes within larger contracts and/or development projects within RG.
• Liaise with Team/Group Leaders and customers on the progress of projects
• Ability to resolve analytical and/or instrumental problems
• Responsibility for Quality Assurance control within defined areas of work.
• Ensure work is completed to pre-defined timescales and contractual deadlines
• Lead, as directed, development of testing protocols for both commercial and emergency samples
• Work, under the direction of the Team Leader, to ensure new protocols are written and implemented, and staff competency has been demonstrated and recorded. Lead the accreditation process for new procedures as required
• Undertake other duties in support of UKHSA’s emergency response preparedness and commercial activities
• Line manages other staff within the team
• Ensure their work satisfies all applicable QA requirements
• Undertake broader corporate tasks as directed by the Group Leader and/or Head of Department

Please note this list is not exhaustive.

Person specification

Essential criteria

• Graduate level in chemistry or a related discipline or equivalent level of experience
• Good experience of radiochemical analysis
• Experience of working in a formally accredited QA environment
• Experience of line management of staff
• Advanced MS Office skills
• Ability to produce clear well-structured written material
• Excellent communication skills (written and verbal)
• Ability to work on several separate tasks at the same time, often independently, whilst keeping to agreed deadlines.
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.
• Full/permanent Current UK driving licence (or equivalent)
• Availability to work away from base occasionally.
• Good problem-solving skills and adaptability to rapidly changing demands
• Good understanding of the principles of analysis for a range of (radio)chemical processes

Desirable criteria:

• Experience of working in a service focused environment
• Experience in project management

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £44,148, UK Health Security Agency contributes £12,789 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce. UKHSA's ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

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 and will assess your Behaviours, Strengths, Ability, Experience and Technical skills.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

Success profiles

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed essential criteria, and this will be in the form of an:

• Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
• 1250 word supporting statement.

This should outline how you consider your skills, experience and knowledge provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.

You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (The application form is the kind of information you would put into your C.V –please be advised you will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible). Please do not email us your CV.

Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1500, but your supporting statement must be no more than 1250 words. We will not consider any words over 1250.

Longlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we may longlist into 3 piles of:

• Meets all essential criteria
• Meets some essential criteria
• Meets no essential criteria

Those who ‘meet all and meet some' essential criteria will proceed to shortlisting.

Shortlisting: In the event of a large number of applications we may conduct an initial sift, on the lead criteria of:

• Graduate level in chemistry or a related discipline or equivalent level of experience.
• Good understanding of the principles of analysis for a range of (radio)chemical processes.

Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications/large number of successful candidates.

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview & assessment.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview

Success profiles

Behaviours, Strengths, Ability, Experience and Technical skills will be tested at interview.

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be

• Changing and improving (lead behaviour)
• Working Together
• Developing Self and Others

There will be a 10-minute Presentation (to assess experience, ability and technical skills)

• An example of troubleshooting a problem you have encountered and how you identified a resolution

Full details will be provided to candidates successful at securing an interview.

Strength questions will also be asked.

Interviews dates to be confirmed.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Eligibility Criteria

External: Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including internal applicants).

Location

This role is being offered as office/lab based at our Scientific Campus in Chilton. Please note hybrid working is not available for this role.

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is CTC - Counter-terrorist Check. When based at one of our scientific campuses, you will be required to have a Counter Terrorism Check security vetting check as a minimum. For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years as the role requires Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. In exceptional circumstances UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.

Salary Information

If you are successful at interview, and are moving from another government department, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able to demonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary. Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms.

Future location

UKHSA is investing in a new state-of-the-art National Biosecurity Centre in Harlow, Essex, which will eventually bring together teams currently based at Canary Wharf, Colindale and Porton Down. For more details, please see: Huge biosecurity centre investment to boost pandemic protection - GOV.UK.

The new facilities will start becoming operational in the mid-2030s, with full completion by 2038. Staff will move in phases as facilities become available. If you're appointed to a role currently based at Canary Wharf, Colindale or Porton Down, please note that we'll continue investing in these sites for the next decade. As we get closer to the transition, we'll provide full information about relocation support available to staff.

Reasonable Adjustments

The Civil Service is committed to making sure that our selection methods are fair to everyone. To help you during the recruitment process, we will consider any reasonable adjustments that could help you. An adjustment is a change to the recruitment process or an adjustment at work. This is separate to the Disability Confident Scheme. If you need an adjustment to be made at any point during the recruitment process you should contact the recruitment team in confidence as soon as possible to discuss your needs.

You can find out more information about reasonable adjustments across the Civil Service here: https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/reasonable-adjustments/

International Police check

If you have spent more than 6 months abroad over the last 3 years you may need an International Police Check. This would not necessarily have to be in a single block, and it could be time accrued over that period.

Internal Fraud check

If successful for this role as one aspect of pre-employment screening, applicant’s personal details – name, national insurance number and date of birth - will be checked against the Cabinet Office Internal Fraud Hub and anyone included on the database will be refused employment unless they can show exceptional circumstances. Currently this is only for External candidates to the Civil Service.

Careers website

Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers

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 counter-terrorist check (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

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.

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

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 : John Inglis
• Email : john.inglis@ukhsa.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : recruitment@ukhsa.gov.uk

Further information

The law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles.

If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact UKHSA Public Accountability Unit via email: Complaints@ukhsa.gov.uk

If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk