Trainee Aerobiologist - Bacteriology

Job summary

Step into a career like no other. At Dstl, we deliver world‑leading science and technology that protects the UK and shapes national security. Our work is unique, sensitive, and mission‑critical — and it can only be done within government.

We’re looking for an ambitious scientist with a strong life‑science background and a curiosity for aerobiology and microbiology. If you’re excited by hands‑on research, complex challenges and real‑world impact, our Aerobiology Training Programme will set you on the path to becoming a specialist in this vital field.

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

In this role you will:

• Tackle challenging, sensitive aerobiology problems that can’t be explored anywhere else.
• Contribute to applied research using in vitro, in vivo and in silico models.
• Train towards a Home Office Personal Licence under ASPA (1986).
• Develop expertise in aerosol generation, downwind hazards and biological exposure effects.
• Work across ACDP containment levels 2–4 as your competency grows.
• Build critical thinking skills to assess pathogen data and provide authoritative scientific advice.
• Design, plan and deliver experimental studies that support defence and government decision‑making.
• Work safely with high‑hazard pathogens and collaborate across interdisciplinary teams.
• Bring creativity, innovation and problem‑solving to cutting‑edge scientific challenges.

Person specification

We are looking for someone who has:

Qualifications:

• Degree in Microbiology, Biophysics, Aerosol Science or a related discipline.

You’ll bring:

• Strong practical lab skills, ideally in life sciences or ACDP CL2+ environments.
• A passion for scientific discovery and cross‑disciplinary research.
• Clear communication skills and the ability to manage competing priorities.
• Confidence using MS Office and applying scientific knowledge to solve problems.
• Experience with microbiological/aerobiological techniques.
• A Home Office Personal Licence — or the willingness to train for one.

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

A relevant science degree eg Microbiology, Biophysics, Aerosol Science or equivalent.

Behaviours

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

• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace
• Developing Self and Others

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £30,741, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory contributes £8,905 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.

• 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 (e.g. start time, finish time). Ability to bank hours in a 12 month reference period including the ability to accrue and use 3 days per calendar month.

• Where you work: Depending on your role, blended working may be available including remote working to suit you and your team. This can be discussed at interview.

• 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 13th April 2026 with interviews to be arranged on the 29th & 30th April 2026

Your interview will consist of behavioural & technical interview to include a 5-10 minute presentation entitled: “The role of aerobiology in defence”

You will have a tour of the facility .

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

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

Trainee Aerobiologist_Bacteriology_Candidate_info_pack Opens in new window (pdf, 5758kB)