UK Health Security Agency

Senior Radiation Protection Scientist

Information:

This job is now closed

Job summary

The Radiation Hazards and Emergencies Department (RHED) leads UKHSA's emergency response and preparedness function in case of radiation and nuclear emergencies. It also provides advice and support to external organisations and central Government on issues surrounding emergency response and countermeasures to be taken.

As a Senior Radiation Protection Scientist in the Radiochemistry Group (RG), the postholder will be responsible for a range of duties associated with laboratory-based analysis of environmental and industrial samples in support of RG's commercial contracts. They will be a Project Manager for a range of commercial contracts, or significant areas of larger environmental monitoring programmes as directed by the Team Leader, with the ability to troubleshoot analytical and/or instrumental problems as they arise. They will take the lead on Quality Assurance issues associated with these programmes.

Working with Team Leaders, the postholder will use their expertise and experience to take a leading role in in the development of new analytical protocols in support of RG's primary roles in emergency response and sample analysis, including design and testing of development programmes, introduction of new working procedures, preparation of validation reports and staff training.

The postholder will be Line Manager for some staff within the Team.

Main duties of the job

  • Contribute to current commercial contracts e.g. sample analysis, report preparation etc
  • Project Manager for commercial contracts, significant programmes within larger contracts and/or development projects within RG.
  • Liaise with Team/Group Leaders and customers on the progress of projects
  • Ability to resolve analytical and/or instrumental problems
  • Responsibility for Quality Assurance control within defined areas of work.
  • Ensure work is completed to pre-defined timescales and contractual deadlines
  • Lead, as directed, development of testing protocols for both commercial and emergency samples
  • Work, under the direction of the Team Leader, to ensure new protocols are written and implemented, and staff competency has been demonstrated and recorded. Lead the accreditation process for new procedures as required
  • Undertake other duties in support of UKHSA's emergency response preparedness and commercial activities
  • Line manage other staff within the team
  • Ensure their work satisfies all applicable QA requirements
  • Undertake broader corporate tasks as directed by the Group Leader and/or Head of Department

About us

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.

Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers

Details

Date posted

05 February 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£42,758 to £48,543 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

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

Reference number

919-GB-302758-EXT

Job locations

Chilton

Chilton

OX11 0RQ


Job description

Job responsibilities

Essential criteria - you will be assessed on the below (12) essential criteria and (3) desirable criteria, which have been selected from the Job Description Document.

Essential

  • Graduate level in chemistry or a related discipline or equivalent level of experience
  • Good experience of radiochemical analysis
  • Experience of working in a formally accredited QA environment
  • Experience of line management of staff
  • Advanced MS Office skills
  • Ability to produce clear well-structured written material
  • Excellent communication skills (written and verbal)
  • Ability to work on several separate tasks at the same time, often independently, whilst keeping to agreed deadlines.
  • An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.
  • Availability to work away from base occasionally.
  • Good problem-solving skills and adaptability to rapidly changing demands
  • Good understanding of the principles of analysis for a range of (radio)chemical processes

Desirable

  • Experience of working in a service focused environment
  • Experience in project management
  • Full/permanent Current UK driving licence (or equivalent) (there may be a need to visit other UKHSA offices, carrying out sampling audits or witness samples around the UK)

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 above listed (12) essential criteria and (3) desirable criteria, and this will be in the form of a:

  • Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
  • 1250 word Statement of Suitability.

This should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.

TheApplication form and Statement of Suitability will be marked together.

Longlisting:

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

  • Meets all essential criteria
  • Meets someessential criteria
  • Meets no essentialcriteria

The following piles will be taken to the next stage:

  • Meets all essential criteria

Shortlisting:

In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on the following:

  • Graduate level in chemistry or a related discipline or equivalent level of experience
  • Good experience of radiochemical analysis
  • Experience of working in a formally accredited QA environment

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interviewand assessment.

Please do not exceed 1250 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Please note you will not be able to upload your CV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email us your CV.

Stage 2: Interview

You will be invited to a (single) face to face interview at UKHSA Chilton.If face to face interviews are planned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

Behaviours, technical, experience, and strengths will be tested at interview.

There will be a 10-minute Presentation.

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be

  • Changing and improving - Lead
  • Working together
  • Developing self and others

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 by definition internal applicants).

Location

This role is being offered as office/lab based at our Scientific Campus in Chilton. If based at one of our scientific campuses, you will be required to have 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.

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed isCounter-terrorist Check.

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).

Job description

Job responsibilities

Essential criteria - you will be assessed on the below (12) essential criteria and (3) desirable criteria, which have been selected from the Job Description Document.

Essential

  • Graduate level in chemistry or a related discipline or equivalent level of experience
  • Good experience of radiochemical analysis
  • Experience of working in a formally accredited QA environment
  • Experience of line management of staff
  • Advanced MS Office skills
  • Ability to produce clear well-structured written material
  • Excellent communication skills (written and verbal)
  • Ability to work on several separate tasks at the same time, often independently, whilst keeping to agreed deadlines.
  • An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.
  • Availability to work away from base occasionally.
  • Good problem-solving skills and adaptability to rapidly changing demands
  • Good understanding of the principles of analysis for a range of (radio)chemical processes

Desirable

  • Experience of working in a service focused environment
  • Experience in project management
  • Full/permanent Current UK driving licence (or equivalent) (there may be a need to visit other UKHSA offices, carrying out sampling audits or witness samples around the UK)

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 above listed (12) essential criteria and (3) desirable criteria, and this will be in the form of a:

  • Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
  • 1250 word Statement of Suitability.

This should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.

TheApplication form and Statement of Suitability will be marked together.

Longlisting:

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

  • Meets all essential criteria
  • Meets someessential criteria
  • Meets no essentialcriteria

The following piles will be taken to the next stage:

  • Meets all essential criteria

Shortlisting:

In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on the following:

  • Graduate level in chemistry or a related discipline or equivalent level of experience
  • Good experience of radiochemical analysis
  • Experience of working in a formally accredited QA environment

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interviewand assessment.

Please do not exceed 1250 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Please note you will not be able to upload your CV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email us your CV.

Stage 2: Interview

You will be invited to a (single) face to face interview at UKHSA Chilton.If face to face interviews are planned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

Behaviours, technical, experience, and strengths will be tested at interview.

There will be a 10-minute Presentation.

The Behaviours tested during the interview stage will be

  • Changing and improving - Lead
  • Working together
  • Developing self and others

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 by definition internal applicants).

Location

This role is being offered as office/lab based at our Scientific Campus in Chilton. If based at one of our scientific campuses, you will be required to have 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.

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed isCounter-terrorist Check.

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).

Person Specification

Application form and Statement of suitability

Essential

  • Application form and Statement of suitability

Behaviours

Essential

  • Changing and improving - Lead
  • Working together
  • Developing self and others
Person Specification

Application form and Statement of suitability

Essential

  • Application form and Statement of suitability

Behaviours

Essential

  • Changing and improving - Lead
  • Working together
  • Developing self and others

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Additional information

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

Certificate of Sponsorship

Applications from job seekers who require current Skilled worker sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website (Opens in a new tab).

From 6 April 2017, skilled worker applicants, applying for entry clearance into the UK, have had to present a criminal record certificate from each country they have resided continuously or cumulatively for 12 months or more in the past 10 years. Adult dependants (over 18 years old) are also subject to this requirement. Guidance can be found here Criminal records checks for overseas applicants (Opens in a new tab).

Employer details

Employer name

UK Health Security Agency

Address

Chilton

Chilton

OX11 0RQ


Employer's website

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)

Employer details

Employer name

UK Health Security Agency

Address

Chilton

Chilton

OX11 0RQ


Employer's website

https://www.gov.uk/government/organisations/uk-health-security-agency (Opens in a new tab)

Employer contact details

For questions about the job, contact:

Resourcing support

Gurkamal Bhambra

gurkamal.bhambra@ukhsa.gov.uk

Details

Date posted

05 February 2025

Pay scheme

Other

Salary

£42,758 to £48,543 a year per annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

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

Reference number

919-GB-302758-EXT

Job locations

Chilton

Chilton

OX11 0RQ


Supporting documents

Privacy notice

UK Health Security Agency's privacy notice (opens in a new tab)