Toxicologist / Pharmacologist

Job summary

Dstl is seeking an exceptional Principal Toxicologist/Pharmacologist to lead cutting‑edge in vivo research that safeguards the UK from chemical and biological hazards. This is a rare opportunity to work at the forefront of national defence science, tackling challenges that cannot be addressed anywhere else in the UK.

You will lead a team of highly skilled in vivo scientists conducting research involving some of the most hazardous materials, including nerve agents, toxins, and other defence‑relevant threats. Your expertise will directly inform government policy, shape strategic decisions, and drive the development of life‑saving medical countermeasures.

This is science with real‑world impact — rigorous, innovative, and mission‑critical.

Dstl recognises the importance of diversity and inclusion as people from diverse backgrounds bring fresh ideas. We are committed to building an inclusive working environment in which each employee fulfils their potential and maximises their contribution.

Job description

What you’ll do

In this influential senior role, you will:

• Lead complex and sensitive in vivo pharmacology and toxicology studies, acting as a PI/Study Director.
• Hold (or have held) a Home Office Personal and/or Project Licence under ASPA (1986).
• Drive a team of in vivo specialists to deliver high‑impact research for UK Defence and Security.
• Design and execute studies using in vivo, ex vivo, and behavioural techniques, ensuring the highest scientific and ethical standards.
• Champion and embed the 3Rs principles across all research activities.
• Provide authoritative scientific leadership, shaping the strategic direction of Dstl’s toxicology and pharmacology capability.
• Introduce innovative methodologies and technologies to strengthen research outputs.

Person specification

We are looking for someone who has:

Qualifications

• BSc (Hons) in Pharmacology or a related Life Science (e.g., Toxicology, Neuroscience, Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences).
• Current or previous Home Office Personal and/or Project Licence under ASPA (1986). (Training will be provided to recertify under the Dstl Establishment Licence.)

Technical Skills

• Advanced proficiency in behavioural monitoring techniques across multiple species.
• Advanced understanding of ex vivo electrophysiology.
• Proven leadership of multidisciplinary teams delivering in vivo research.
• Demonstrable application of the 3Rs in research design and execution.
• Evidence of initiating new collaborations across academia, industry, or international partners.
• Recognised ability to mentor and develop senior scientific staff.
• Strong track record of hands‑on technical problem‑solving.
• Consistent delivery of sound, evidence‑based decisions.
• Excellent time and priority management.

Experience

• Extensive experience in research environments conducting in vivo or ex vivo studies.
• Experience as a Home Office Project Licence holder and/or Personal Licensee under ASPA (1986).
• Proven ability to build and lead multidisciplinary collaborative networks.

For full details about this role, please see the Job profile within the candidate pack attached at the bottom of this page

Important Information

Our work in defence, security and intelligence requires our employees to be UK Nationals who are able to gain a high level of security clearance to undertake the projects we are involved in to protect us from security threats. For this reason, only UK Nationals will be able to apply for this role. If you are an international or dual-national candidate, and you think you have the skills we need, please consider applying to any of our government, security or defence partners.

This role will require full UK security clearance and you should have resided in the UK for the past 5 years. For some roles Developed Vetting will also be required, in this case you should have resided in the UK for the past 10 years.

Qualifications

Minimum of a BSc (Hons) Degree in Pharmacology or a related Life Science e.g. Toxicology, Neuroscience, Biochemistry, Biomedical Sciences or closely related discipline.

Behaviours

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

• Leadership
• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace
• Developing Self and Others

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £50,066, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory contributes £14,504 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Benefits

Dstl’s full range of great benefits can be found in the information pack which includes:

• Financial: An excellent pension scheme starting from 26% employer contribution (find out more here). In Year Rewarding Achievement bonuses and thank you vouchers. Rental deposit scheme and cycle to work scheme. Option to join Vivup Benefits Payment scheme

• Flexible working: Options include alternative working patterns such as; compressed hours, job shares and annualised hours (agreed number of hours per annum paid monthly i.e. working term-time only).

• Working hours: Flexibility around your working day Ability to bank hours in a 12 month reference period including the ability to accrue and use 3 days per calendar month.

• Annual leave: 25 days pro rata (rising to 30 after 5 years) plus 8 public holidays with the ability to buy/sell 5 additional days per annum.

• Family: Maternity, adoption or shared parental leave of up to 26 weeks with full pay, an additional 13 weeks statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid

• Learning and Development: Dstl encourages and supports charterships, accreditations and provides employees access to fully funded apprenticeships up to level 7 (Masters Degree). Dstl will pay for 2 memberships with relevant bodies/institutions. Employees also have access to Civil Service Learning.

• Facilities: Onsite parking, EV Charging points, restaurants, cafés and gyms.

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 and Experience.

We want you to have your best chance of success in our recruitment process, so If at any stage of the application process you would like help or assistance please contact the Dstl Recruitment Team dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk and we will do all we can to support you.

Sifting will take place week commencing the 28th March 2026 with interviews to be arranged from the 5th-15th May 2026

Your interview will consist of behavioural & technical interview to include a presentation entitled: Demonstrate how your expertise and leadership will drive innovation, shape strategy, and make a tangible impact on national safety and security.

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 security 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

Open to UK nationals only.

This job is not open to candidates who hold a dual nationality.

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 : Dstl Recruitment Team
• Email : dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk

Further information

Should you wish to raise a formal complaint about the Dstl recruitment process you should email dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk stating the nature of the issue. We will respond within 5 working days.

Attachments

Toxicoloigst_Pharacologist_Candidate_info_pack Opens in new window (pdf, 5946kB)