Trainee Aerobiologist – Virology

Job summary

The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) delivers high-impact Science and Technology for the UK's defence, security and prosperity. We work in niche areas which are sensitive in nature, operationally critical to the UK and Internationally recognised in importance. Our work therefore has to be done within government.

We are looking for a self-motivated, enthusiastic scientist with a keen interest in virology to join our microbiology training programme and work across our programme areas, which includes understanding the hazards, and the development of medical countermeasures against virulent pathogens.

Our training and development programme will provide you with the framework, mentoring and support to develop into a virologist. The blended learning approach we offer includes, professional development, mentoring and on the job, practical laboratory experience to help you build skills, competency and knowledge.

We will train and develop you across our areas of research interest, including in vitro and in vivo.

The research outcomes and advice that you deliver will help to inform a range of strategic and policy decisions across MoD and wider government.

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:

• Work on a variety of interesting and challenging virology problems that owing to their sensitivity cannot be done elsewhere.
• Provide a technical and scientific contribution to applied research projects, many of which involve the use of in vitro, ex vivo, in silico and in vivo models.
• Develop your career in exciting new areas requiring practical expertise and experience, to meet cutting-edge challenges. Undertake training to become competent in a number of complex skills, enabling you to deliver work independently and as part of the wider team.
• Apply logical thinking and problem solving to support the design, plan, schedule and conduct of experimental studies to meet our customers’ needs.
• Work safely in accordance with Dstl policies and procedures. Learn and apply processes and procedures required for working with highly hazardous pathogenic organisms.
• Work collaboratively across interdisciplinary teams.
• Take ownership of your workload and prioritising effectively to meet commitments, seeking advice from your Team Leader, Project Leadership Team and Project Manager where appropriate.
• Document and communicate scientific output/advice concisely and credibly in a range of formats.
• Demonstrate creativity and innovation and be prepared to translate your ideas into project plans, including proposing new ideas for improving scientific or analytical methods and tools, and seeing them through to fruition.

Person specification

We are looking for someone who has:

Qualifications

• A relevant life science degree e.g. Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Virology.
  
  

Technical Skills

• Practical Laboratory Skills with ideally experience working in life sciences laboratories or working in microbiological laboratories at ACDP2 or above.
• Have the ambition and desire to build a career through performing world-leading cross-disciplinary science and research.
• Enjoy scientific activities and making new discoveries.
• Have strong communication skills.
• Have good time management and able to prioritise challenging demands.
• Be proficient in the use of MS Office suite (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint).
• Have experience of applying knowledge to problem solve and overcome unforeseen obstacles

Essential Experience

• You will have existing knowledge of current laboratory techniques applied within virology/microbiology studies.
• You will have an understanding of the design and conduct of microbiological experiments to determine the effects or mechanism of action of different pathogens.

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 life science degree e.g. Microbiology, Molecular Biology, Virology.

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 presentation entitled: “How can aerobiology be used to help understand future viral threats”

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.