Job summary
The UKHSA Radiation, Chemical, Climate and Environmental Hazards (RCCE) Directorate primarily focusses on non-infectious diseases allowing UKHSA to fulfil its mission of preventing preparing for and responding to infectious diseases, and environmental hazards, keeping communities safe, saving lives and protect livelihoods.
The Deputy Director of the Radiation Protection Sciences Division supports the Director by taking the lead on all scientific matters pertaining to radiation protection within RCCE, with the objective of ensuring that the UKHSA sustains its reputation as the nation's foremost repository of expertise in the science of radiation protection.
Radiation Protection Sciences Division provides a full suite of services and capabilities that facilitate the safe use of radiations, both ionising and non-ionising, in industry and medicine and also protecting the public from harm in daily life and in case of a radiological or nuclear emergency.
As part of the Civil Contingencies Act the Division maintains a Category 1 Response capability to respond to a radiation or nuclear incident.
The Division develops evidence through research activities and applies that research to develop services, many of which generate significant income.
Main duties of the job
The Division delivers first class radiation protection advisor services, personal dosimetry services, environmental/people monitoring capabilities, instrument testing services, radiological assessment capabilities and advice to all sectors, including the medical sector.
Key responsibilities will include:
o Providing all specialist radiation protection functions for UKHSA. This includes core-funded services to UKHSA, DHSC, and other government Departments, including the emergency response functions and externally funded services to funding bodies, customers including various industry and healthcare sectors, international bodies, the public, and others.
o Providing scientific advice on radiation protection to government, industry, international bodies, professional groups, and others.
o Managing UKHSA input into relevant Expert Committees.
o Making decisions on radiation protection advice, routine and major incidents, emergency preparedness and response plans, content of communications with parliamentarians, the public, professionals and others, external funding strategy, and service provision. Strengthening emergency response capacity and capabilities to ensure a robust function in line with UKHSA's ambition.
For further details, please see the attached Candidate Pack.
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
Job description
Job responsibilities
Performance of reporting Departments, reputation with stakeholders on radiation protection matters
Developing business plans that cover resources, activities, outputs, and outcomes, tracking performance, delivery, and results and all stages
Leading approximately 250 people currently organised in 6 Departments, located in Chilton, Leeds, and Glasgow.
Managing resources of approximately £20 million directly
May act as RCCE Deputy Director lead for the RCCE estate in Chilton, Leeds and Glasgow, capital equipment, and key information assets.
For further details, please see the attached Candidate Pack.
Essential Criteria PhD or equivalent experience in one or more of the scientific disciplines that underpin radiation protection
Substantial experience of engagement in national and international advisory work in relation to radiation protection
Experience of contributing in a senior role to a radiation emergency incident or national level civil nuclear or military emergency exercises
Strong scientific leadership skills to promote and develop RCCEs radiation protection functions through internal UKHSA engagement and engagement with external stakeholders/funders
High level technical/scientific writing and presentation skills to develop and communicate advice at the international level
Ability to communicate complex science to non-specialist audiences, including the public, sometimes in challenging environments
Ability to work under pressure and to short deadlines
Desirable CriteriaAdditional knowledge of the following is preferable but not mandatory: Experience of managing a large and complex scientific function
For further details, please see the attached Candidate Pack.
ExternalOpen to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).
Stage 1: Application & Sift
This vacancy is using Success Profiles
At sift stage you will be assessed against Experience, using the essential criteria listed in the Job Description.
You will be required to complete an:
Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application) up to 1000 word Supporting Statement.This should detail how you meet the essential criteria referencing evidence of your experience and skills.
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 C.V please be advised you will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible)
Your statement of suitability must be no more than 1000 words
If we receive a large number of applications we will conduct an initial sift against qualifications / equivalent experience.
Please note feedback will not be provided at this stage.
Stage 2: Interview (success profiles)
You will be invited to a face to face interview. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.
Interviews will be held week commencing 22nd September 2025, please note these dates are subject to change.
This vacancy is being assessed using Success Profiles. During the interview we will assess you against the below:
Behaviours:
Seeing the Big Picture Communicating and Influencing Managing a Quality Service Delivering at Pace
You will be asked to prepare and present a 5 minute presentation. The subject of this will be sent to you prior to interview. Slides will be permitted.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
This role is being offered as hybrid working based at our Scientific Campus 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).
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 Developed Vetting.
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 10 years as the role requires Developed Vetting (DV) 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.
Job description
Job responsibilities
Performance of reporting Departments, reputation with stakeholders on radiation protection matters
Developing business plans that cover resources, activities, outputs, and outcomes, tracking performance, delivery, and results and all stages
Leading approximately 250 people currently organised in 6 Departments, located in Chilton, Leeds, and Glasgow.
Managing resources of approximately £20 million directly
May act as RCCE Deputy Director lead for the RCCE estate in Chilton, Leeds and Glasgow, capital equipment, and key information assets.
For further details, please see the attached Candidate Pack.
Essential Criteria PhD or equivalent experience in one or more of the scientific disciplines that underpin radiation protection
Substantial experience of engagement in national and international advisory work in relation to radiation protection
Experience of contributing in a senior role to a radiation emergency incident or national level civil nuclear or military emergency exercises
Strong scientific leadership skills to promote and develop RCCEs radiation protection functions through internal UKHSA engagement and engagement with external stakeholders/funders
High level technical/scientific writing and presentation skills to develop and communicate advice at the international level
Ability to communicate complex science to non-specialist audiences, including the public, sometimes in challenging environments
Ability to work under pressure and to short deadlines
Desirable CriteriaAdditional knowledge of the following is preferable but not mandatory: Experience of managing a large and complex scientific function
For further details, please see the attached Candidate Pack.
ExternalOpen to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).
Stage 1: Application & Sift
This vacancy is using Success Profiles
At sift stage you will be assessed against Experience, using the essential criteria listed in the Job Description.
You will be required to complete an:
Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application) up to 1000 word Supporting Statement.This should detail how you meet the essential criteria referencing evidence of your experience and skills.
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 C.V please be advised you will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible)
Your statement of suitability must be no more than 1000 words
If we receive a large number of applications we will conduct an initial sift against qualifications / equivalent experience.
Please note feedback will not be provided at this stage.
Stage 2: Interview (success profiles)
You will be invited to a face to face interview. In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.
Interviews will be held week commencing 22nd September 2025, please note these dates are subject to change.
This vacancy is being assessed using Success Profiles. During the interview we will assess you against the below:
Behaviours:
Seeing the Big Picture Communicating and Influencing Managing a Quality Service Delivering at Pace
You will be asked to prepare and present a 5 minute presentation. The subject of this will be sent to you prior to interview. Slides will be permitted.
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
This role is being offered as hybrid working based at our Scientific Campus 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).
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 Developed Vetting.
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 10 years as the role requires Developed Vetting (DV) 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
Experience
Essential
- Application & Supporting Statement
Behaviours
Essential
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Communicating and Influencing
- Managing a Quality Service
- Delivering at Pace
Person Specification
Experience
Essential
- Application & Supporting Statement
Behaviours
Essential
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Communicating and Influencing
- Managing a Quality Service
- Delivering at Pace
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.
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.
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).
