137 Environmental Jobs in United Kingdom

Job summary

UKHSA’s Radiation, Chemical, Climate and Environment (RCCE) Hazards Directorate delivers specialist advice, research and services to protect the public from chemical, radiological and environmental hazards, including emergency response as a Category 1 responder. Within this, the Radiation Dosimetry
Department provides authoritative public health advice on lasers, optical radiation, electromagnetic fields (EMF), and ionising radiation in medical imaging, alongside research, exposure assessment, standards development, training, and support to national and international bodies. The department also provides the secretariat for the Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment (COMARE).

The EMF Dosimetry (EMFD) Group assesses exposures from established and emerging EMF technologies (e.g. mobile phones, base stations, power lines). It acts as UKHSA’s national focal point for EMF public health advice, contributing to regulation, research, environmental monitoring, and standards development. The Group develops exposure assessment methodologies, maintains measurement infrastructure, and supports the Operational Services Department. The EMFD Group has two laboratories at Chilton in Oxfordshire; one primarily used for EMF exposure investigations and maintenance of measurement equipment, and the other for dielectric properties research. The Group provides advisory correspondence, with high-level requests and short deadlines arriving on a daily basis.

Working for your organisation

We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.

UKHSA 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.

Job description

• Provide specialised scientific support for EMF exposure research, assessment and services.
• Conduct experimental measurements using advanced equipment in laboratory and field settings, alongside technical, computational, and analytical work to support exposure assessment.
• Develop exposure assessment methodologies and instrumentation, and contribute to externally funded research, training and lectures.
• Deliver work within a project management framework, including budgets, risk and quality. Support UKHSA’s radiological emergency response through environmental monitoring, sampling and laboratory analysis.
• Plan and undertake scientific tasks across laboratory work, modelling and engineering, including measuring and calculating EMF exposure in varied environments.
• Carry out on-site assessments and produce technical reports with findings and safety recommendations.
• Maintain laboratory facilities, equipment and safety systems, and contribute to development of procedures and protocols.
• Work independently with a high level of technical competence.
• Use and maintain complex scientific equipment and IT systems for data analysis and record-keeping.

Occasional irregular hours and UK/international travel are required.

The post holder will contribute to the provision of highly specialised scientific services and scientific research and development work. This will include:

• Experimental assessment of exposure from sources of electromagnetic fields (EMF) using specialised scientific equipment in the laboratory and off site
• Technical, computing and analytical work underpinning the assessment of human exposure to EMF
• Development of methodologies and instrumentation for assessing exposure to EMF
• Contributions to externally funded research and service work, including lectures and support for training courses
• Working within a project management framework, agreeing and adhering to allocated budgets, managing risks and maintaining quality standards
• Participation in the UKHSA response to radiological emergencies, in accordance with the roles described in the RCCE Emergency Plan. This includes environmental sampling and measurements as part of an emergency monitoring team, together with laboratory analysis of samples

The role requires a broad range of developed skills based on strong practical and theoretical foundations in physics or electrical engineering. A general awareness of wider public health disciplines, including biology and epidemiology, is also required

The post holder will undertake a range of scientific duties, including:

• Laboratory work and scientific functions involving, as appropriate, physics, mathematical modelling, biology, epidemiology, laboratory science and engineering
• Assessment of EMF exposure through measurement and calculation across a range of sources and exposure scenarios
• Assessment of exposure from EMF sources and facilities on customer premises, and preparation of technical reports incorporating measurement results, recommendations for safe working and related findings
• Routine maintenance checks of specialised laboratory facilities and verification of the satisfactory operation of safety and warning systems

Many of these duties will involve working independently and unsupervised. The post holder will be expected to carry out accurate scientific work in accordance with established procedures and protocols, and to contribute to the review and development of new standing operating procedures where appropriate. This will require a good level of technical knowledge and skill

The post holder will be responsible for the use and maintenance of complex scientific equipment, including measurement probes, spectrum analysers and calibration systems. They will also use a range of IT software, including databases and in-house applications, for record keeping and the calculation of scientific information

Occasional irregular working hours will be required, and travel within the UK and occasionally overseas

Other

The above provides an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. The post holder will undertake any other duties reasonably required by the Directorate. The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis to meet organisational needs

Person specification

Essential Criteria

• Educated to degree level in electrical/electronic engineering or a physical science discipline, or equivalent level of experience working at a similar level (e.g. working as an EMF / RF engineer or scientist; performing scientific data analysis and reporting comparable to a graduate engineer )
• Current full UK driving license
• Experience of electromagnetic field (EMF) sources and applications
• Experience of EMF laboratory facilities and equipment such as network and spectrum analysers, oscilloscopes etc
• Understanding and ability to apply electromagnetic theory
• Strong mathematical/statistical and analytical skills to use existing computational models and ability to write new codes
• Confident in use of Microsoft office packages, especially Word and Excel
• Ability to communicate effectively, formally, informally, orally and in writing (including presentation of scientific work) to colleagues, customers, and representatives from other organisations
• Technical competence in performing measurements coupled with good numeracy skills
• Ability to observe and question to gather information and sift it to disregard the irrelevant and identify key issues
• Ability to assess complex situations and interpret detailed documents that may include legislation
• Capable of working accurately and consistently in setting up equipment and in making complex measurements
• Ability to work well under pressure and to deadlines; also able to prioritise the workload
• Good organisational skills and the ability to work largely unsupervised
• Ability to remain focussed on a task and concentrate on the matter in hand (e.g. when carrying out detailed measurement protocols).
• Good time management and ability to work to tight deadlines
• Ability to ‘think on feet’

Desirable criteria

• Postgraduate experience in electrical/electronic engineering or experience of scientific work gained in a project or research environment.
• Understanding of telecommunication networks and radio communications protocols
• Good understanding of radiation protection principles
• Knowledge and experience of assessing compliance with international radiation protection safety standards
• Experience in the provision of training
• Good presentation skills for training courses, scientific and more general meetings
• Training/experience in emergency response

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £35,587, UK Health Security Agency contributes £10,309 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• 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/Experience/Technical skills

Stage 1: Application & Sift

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 a:

• Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
• 1,500 word Supporting statement

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

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 CV. 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.

Longlisting:

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

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

If used, the pile(s) ‘Meets all 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:

• Educated to degree level in electrical/electronic engineering or a physical science discipline, or equivalent level of experience working at a similar level (e.g. working as an EMF / RF engineer or scientist; performing scientific data analysis and reporting comparable to a graduate engineer)
• Experience of EMF laboratory facilities and equipment such as network and spectrum analysers, oscilloscopes etc.
• Technical competence in performing measurements coupled with good numeracy skills

Desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications/large amount 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

You will be invited to a single face to face interview at UKHSA, RCCE, Chilton, OX110RQ

If face to face interviews are planned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview

Behaviours/Strengths/Experience/Technical skills will be tested at interview

Behaviours

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace

There will be a 10 min presentation on the latest technical / research piece of work you have carried out.

Interviews dates are 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 - Chilton

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

Based at our scientific campus, you will be required to have a minimum of 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

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

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must pass a basic disclosure and barring security check before they can be appointed

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is

• Basic Personnel Security Standard
• Counter-Terrorist Check

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

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).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 : Conny Agyei
• Email : recruitment@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

http://www.healthjobsuk.com/vacancy/8108008