Senior Aerosol Scientist

Job description

Job responsibilities

Laboratory work and scientific functions in support of the work of the Experimental Toxicology Programme. In particular:

• Contribute to, and take responsibility for, specific aspects of the design, development and operation of the groups laboratory facilities and equipment. In particular in relation to aerosol production and measurement.
• Undertake Health and Safety activities as required by Programme Lead, including those relating to the safe use of radioactive sources.
• Undertake experimental work to explore aspects of the behaviour of aerosols, in particular nanoparticle aerosols.
• Contribute to the management and undertaking of research projects including: planning, experimental design, protocols/procedures and data analysis.
• Manage some research projects or parts of large projects.
• Collaborate with internal and external collaborators in the undertaking of specific experiments.
• Contribute to the development of proposals for funding with internal and external collaborators.
• Produce sound scientific papers for external peer reviewed publication and give presentations up to and including at international level.
• Assist in the production of advice/standards related to the results of researchManage junior members of staff and supervise PhD/MSc students undertaking associated work.
• Procure, commission, deploy and in some cases design and project manage the build/acquisition of specialist equipment.
• Undertake specific development tasks for the Programme Lead as required.
• Contribute to RCCE/UKHSA general activities for sharing skills and knowledge, both within RCCE/UKHSA and more widely.

The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The Job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary.

Selection process details

This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your knowledge and experience, and/or skills and abilities outlined in the essential criteria.

You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the 9 essential criteria listed, and this will be in the form of a:

• Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)

• 1000 word Statement of Suitability

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.

The Application 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 essentialcriteria

• Meets some essential criteria

• Meets no essential criteria

Piles Meets all essentialcriteria and Meets some essential criteriawill be moved through to the shortlisting stage.

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

• Relevant practical MSc in aerosol science, or in a subject/area with a significant aerosol science component

Please do not exceed 1000 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number. If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to an interview. Unfortunately, late applications will not be considered.

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.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview (competency based)

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

There will be a Presentation at interview, full details will be provided at the shortlisting stage.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Location

This role is being offered as hybrid working based at our office/lab in Chilton.

We offer great flexible working opportunities at UKHSA and operate using a hybrid working model where business needs allow. This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce. As a hybrid worker, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of your contractual working hours (approximately 3 days a week pro rata, (averaged over a month).

If based at one of our labs 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.

Eligibility Criteria

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

Person Specification

Essential criteria 1

Essential

• 2:1 or above honours degree in Physics, Chemistry, Engineering or Mathematics or equivalent work experience in an aerosol science related role

Essential criteria 2

Essential

• Relevant practical MSc in aerosol science, or in a subject/area with a significant aerosol science component

Essential criteria 3

Essential

• Experience in techniques used for the measurement of aerosol characteristics

Essential crieria 4

Essential

• General laboratory skills and experimental design skills (e.g. capable of working accurately and consistently in setting up equipment and in making complex measurements, technical competence in taking measurements coupled with good numeracy)

Essential criteria 5

Essential

• Ability to communicate effectively at all levels (formally and informally), orally and in writing with other employees, representatives from collaborating institutes, relevant departments and other organisations. This may require presenting technically complicated information to non-technical staff and members of the public

Essential criteria 6

Essential

• Ability to assess novel situations and applications by applying fundamental scientific principles

Essential criteria 7

Essential

• Ability to observe and question: to gather information and sift it to disregard the irrelevant and identify key issues, and assess complex situations and interpret detailed documents

Essential criteria 8

Essential

• Able to assess and respond effectively to unpredictable situations

Essential criteria 9

Essential

• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships

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

UKHSA Chilton

Harwell Campus

Didcot

OX11 0RQ

Employer's website

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