Group Leader – Planned Exposures

Job description

Job responsibilities

UKHSA is the UK's primary authority carrying out research to advance knowledge and providing guidance and services on the protection from the risks of radiation. The job is within the Radiation Assessments Department which supports UKHSAs mission to protect people from ionising radiation, by advising on exposures and protection standards.

The Department assesses the health impacts to the public due to ionising radiation in the environment. To do this effectively, radiation doses from past, present and possible future sources of radiation must be evaluated. A significant part of the Department's work involves developing, applying and maintaining the models or tools to estimate these radiation doses. We provide a range of scientific and technical research, training and software products to government, industry and others. Our areas of focus include emergency planning and response, permitted releases of radionuclides into the environment and solid waste management and disposal, contaminated land, and transport of radioactive waste.

The post holder will have relevant experience in the field of radiation assessments, acting as a point of authoritative advice. They will manage a group that plans, designs and executes complex scientific research projects on assessments of radiation on members of the public including associated mathematical modelling. The post will include writing scientific papers and reports, giving scientific presentations (including at international forums), representing UKHSA or UK interests at scientific meetings and committees, the provision of training and drafting of UKHSA advice.

Specifically, the post holder will:

• Provide scientific direction and be a focal point for specialist scientific knowledge in the Radiation Assessments Department.
• Oversee and manage both contract and non-contract projects.
• Direct and manage work on the development, maintenance and application of models and tools for estimating the consequences of releases of radioactivity to the environment, especially in planned exposure situations.
• Undertake and manage assessments of the radiological impact of radioactive releases especially in planned exposure situations.
• In the event of a radiation emergency, lead one of UKHSAs response teams providing expert advice supporting incident management.

Essential Criteria

• Qualification to PhD level in an appropriate scientific or public health / health protection discipline or equivalent experience.
• Post-doctoral or similar experience sufficient to undertake all aspects of research or health protection projects with minimal supervision
• Experience and expertise in carrying out environmental radiation assessments
• Extensive knowledge in the field of radiation assessments and related public protection matters including ability to plan, initiate, design and manage all stages of research projects independently
• Excellent understanding of radiation protection
• Training and experience in project management
• Experience of managing scientific or similar projects with a number of internal and external collaborators within own area of expertise
• Experience in writing scientific papers for peer reviewed journal and presenting research findings at national/international scientific conferences with large audiences
• Training and experience in radiation emergency preparedness (real emergencies or exercises) in a specialist or defined role with ability to develop into the team leader role
• Information technology experience including familiarity with standard office software and specialist software related to the tasks of the job
• Proven experience of managing scientific staff plus attendance at formal and practical management training e.g. supervisory skills, time management
• Strong negotiation and influencing skills applied to a range of scientific, business and management tasks.
• Strong skills in numerical and/or information analysis, problem solving and developing novel solutions for scientific, business and management problems.
• High degree of self-motivation and able to work independently and to take responsibility for own technical work and time.
• Ability to produce clear well-structured written or presentational material for different audiences, including scientific, government departments and decision makers, and the general public, by way of different media eg reports, business proposals, peer-reviewed papers, briefings and correspondence
• Ability to understand how own specialist field interacts with wider radiation protection issues, and work of RAD interacts with wider work of UKHSA.
• Ability to motivate others and act as a role model and mentor for more junior staff
• Ability to work on a number of separate tasks at the same time, whilst keeping to agreed deadlines
• Be able to work irregular hours when required
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships

Selection Process

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

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:

• an application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)
• a 1500 word supporting statement.

This should outline how 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 essential criteria
• Meets some essential criteria
• Meets no essential criteria

Please note only applications meeting all the essential criteria will be moved through to shortlisting.

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

• Experience and expertise in carrying out environmental radiation assessments

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.

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to interview and assessment

Please do not exceed 1500 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.

Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview

You will be invited to a face to face interview. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview.

There will be a presentation.

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

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

Location

This role is being offered as hybrid working based at our Scientific Campus in Chilton, Oxfordshire. 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) on site at Chilton.

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 is Counter Terrorism Check (CTC).

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. 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.

Person Specification

Essential Criteria

Essential

• Application Form and Statement of Suitability

Essential Criteria

Essential

• Questions on experience, knowledge and skills

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

Didcot, Oxfordshire

OX11 0RQ

Employer's website

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