Job Description

Details

Reference number

329498

Salary

\xc2\xa332,469 - \xc2\xa339,532

Job grade

Higher Executive Officer

Contract type

Permanent

Type of role

Science

Working pattern

Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time

Number of jobs available

2


Contents

• Location About the job Benefits Things you need to know Apply and further information

Location

Didcot, Oxford
About the job

Job summary

UKHSA\xe2\x80\x99s Radiation, Chemical and Environment (RCE) Hazards Directorate provides advice, research and services to protect the public from exposure to chemicals and poisons, ionising and non-ionising radiation, and other environmental hazards. RCE provides a specialist assessment and advice function within UKHSA\xe2\x80\x99s overall response as a Category 1 responder to radiation and chemical emergencies. RCE has an extensive and diverse research function part of which is carried out in the context of NIHR Health Protection Research Units. The Radiation Dosimetry Department provides authoritative public health information and advice about exposures to lasers and optical radiation, electromagnetic fields, and ionising radiation used for medical diagnostic imaging. In addition, the department provides the secretariat to the Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment (COMARE).

Job description

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 using specialised scientific equipment. This may be in the laboratory or off site.
• Technical, computing and analytical work underpinning the assessment of exposure of people to electromagnetic fields.
• Developing methodologies and instrumentation for the assessment of exposure to electromagnetic fields.
• Contributing to externally funded research and services work, including lectures and other support with training courses.
• Working within a project management framework, agreeing and respecting allocated budgets, managing risks and maintaining quality standards.
• Participation in the UKHSA response to radiological emergencies, in accordance with the roles described in the RCE Emergency Plan. These roles will include carrying out environmental sampling and measurements as part of an emergency monitoring team, and laboratory analysis of samples.

The work requires a wide range of developed skills building on solid practical and theoretical foundations from physics or electrical engineering. A general awareness of wider public health disciplines including biology and epidemiology is also required. The post holder will plan and carry out a range of scientific duties, including:

• Laboratory work and scientific functions. These will involve physics, mathematical modelling, biology, epidemiology, laboratory work, and engineering as appropriate.
• The assessment of exposure to EMF by means of measurement and calculation for a range of exposure sources and situations.
• The assessment of exposure from EMF sources and facilities on the premises of customers, and the writing of technical reports incorporating the results of any measurements, recommendations for safe working etc.
• Routine maintenance checks on specialised laboratory facilities, and confirmation of the satisfactory operation of safety and warning systems.

Many of these duties will entail working alone and unsupervised. The post holder will be expected to carry out accurate scientific work in accordance with established procedures and protocols, and comment on and develop new standing operating procedures where appropriate. This will require a good level of knowledge and technical skill. Please review the for a full list of responsibilities.

Person specification

It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of 1000 words (max) that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the following criteria: 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.
• 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 \xe2\x80\x98think on feet\xe2\x80\x99.
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.

Desirable Criteria:

• MSc in electrical/electronic engineering or a physical science discipline
• Postgraduate or on-the-job 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
• Training/experience in emergency response
• Good presentation skills for training courses, scientific and more general meetings

Please review the job description for the full criteria.
Benefits

• 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 average employer contribution of 27%

Things you need to know

Selection process details

STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT: You will be required to complete an application form and a statement of suitability. Your Statement of Suitability should outline your skills, experience, and achievements, providing evidence of your suitability for the role, against the essential criteria (outlined in the person specification section). Your Statement of Suitability must not exceed 1000 words. You will also be asked to provide information within the \xe2\x80\x98Employer/ Activity history\xe2\x80\x99 section of the application form. This is equivalent to the information you would provide on a CV, setting out your career history. The sift selection panel will only consider relevant career history information from the last 5 years. If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to an interview. STAGE 2 \xe2\x80\x93 INTERVIEW: This competition will involve an interview in person. As part of the process, candidates will be invited to interview which will involve an in-depth discussion of your previous experience and professional competence in relation to the criteria set out in the Person Specification. The Success Profiles framework will be used at interview to assess and recruit the most suitable candidate. The following behaviours will be used at the interview:

• Seeing the big picture
• Making effective decisions
• Leading and communicating
• Collaborating and partnering
• Managing a quality service
• Delivering at pace

Candidates might also be required to prepare and deliver a 5-minute presentation to the panel. This will be followed by a question-and-answer segment. The presentation will be designed to assess each candidate\xe2\x80\x99s experience in line with the requirements of the role. Full details will be provided prior to the interview. Expected Timeline: Advert close: 23:55hrs 10/12/2023 \xe2\x80\x93 unfortunately, late applications will not be considered. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records. Interviews: TBC Please note these dates could be subject to change.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

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.
Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.

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 :
  Chantelle May
  Email :
  chantelle.may@reed.com

Recruitment team

• 
  Email :
  chantelle.may@reed.com