Job Title

Dstl Porton Down , Salisbury, Wiltshire, SP4 0JQAt Dstl, our vision is to have a modern way of working efficiently, accommodating and enabling our people to create, collaborate and deliver. To do this successfully in this job will require attendance at a Dstl Porton Down for 100% of your working time. Where business needs allow, and with the agreement of your line manager, there may be the option for a combination of workplace and home-based working.This is a non-contractual arrangement.Job SummaryUnlock the science behind the safety and security of the UK.At Dstl, we use world-class science and technology to defend and protect the UK from emerging threats. We’re looking for a talented and motivated scientist to join ourEnergetics Characterisation and Advice (ECA)team to tackle one of our most fascinating challenges: understanding and developing energetic materials.The RoleYou’ll be at the forefront of research into explosive materials, working across their synthesis, characterisation, and performance testing. From desk-based studies to laboratory experiments and live explosives trials, you’ll gain hands-on experience with real impact. This role combines technical depth with collaborative delivery, contributing to critical defence projects that safeguard lives and shape national security.What We’re Looking ForA passion for applied science and a willingness to engage with complex and sometimes hazardous materials. Strong teamwork and communication skills. The ability to think critically and solve problems creatively. A commitment to safety and continual learning.Dstl recognises the importance of diversity and inclusion as people from diverse backgrounds bring fresh ideas. We are committed to building an inclusive working environment in which each employee fulfils their potential and maximises their contribution.Job DescriptionIn this role you will:Ensure project work and tasks are completed safely and to time, quality and budget through effective team working. Author and contribute to safe systems of work including standard operating procedures, risk assessments and COSHH assessments. Provide timely, impartial, evidence-based advice to the team, customers and wider stakeholders through sourcing, collating and interpreting data to ensure robust decision making can be achieved. Ensure non-routine problems are overcome by thinking innovatively and by looking for alternative courses of action. Produce and deliver presentations. Ensure a personal commitment to continuing personal development in terms of developing own knowledge, skills and competencies and ensure that relevant new knowledge is communicated to the wider team/group.In This Role You Will:Ensure project work and tasks are completed safely and to time, quality and budget through effective team working. Author and contribute to safe systems of work including standard operating procedures, risk assessments and COSHH assessments. Provide timely, impartial, evidence-based advice to the team, customers and wider stakeholders through sourcing, collating and interpreting data to ensure robust decision making can be achieved. Ensure non-routine problems are overcome by thinking innovatively and by looking for alternative courses of action. Produce and deliver presentations. Ensure a personal commitment to continuing personal development in terms of developing own knowledge, skills and competencies and ensure that relevant new knowledge is communicated to the wider team/group.Person specificationQualificationsEssentialA degree or higher degree in Chemistry or a closely related Physical Science. (An equivalent qualification and suitable practical chemistry experience will also be considered)EssentialTechnical SkillsA strong understanding of the chemistry Laboratory best practice skills Ability to work as part of a team Ability to work under pressure and multi-task where necessary Good problem solving skills Good communication and networking skills Willingness to undertake further training to develop additional skills and competencies.ExperienceEssentialPractical chemistry skills, including the planning of chemistry experiments. Experience of writing scientific reports and providing briefings tailored to the audience. Experience in safe working practices in laboratories or similar facilities including experience of writing associated risk assessments, method statements and COSHH documentation. Experience of being able to deliver high quality practical work in demanding environments and problem solving when required, often working to tight timescales. Experience of working within a multi-disciplinary team and successfully prioritising own work.Safety at DstlAccountable for ensuring safe and secure work;Must appreciate and be responsible for the health and safety of self and others; both understand and meet defined accountabilities as written in Dstl policy,Must demonstrate the expected HS (& EP) behaviours as defined by the Civil Service and Dstl and lead by example,Must ensure understanding and maintenance of appropriate training, experience and knowledge (i.e. competent / SQEP) for self and direct reports,Develop a working environment that is supportive of and champions the Dstl approach to security, health, wellbeing, safety and environmental (HSEP) management,Be aware of the downstream impact of their actions and the actions of their direct reports on those outside of their immediate control.Implement Dstl's policies and ensure compliance with the Management SystemImportant InformationOur work in defence, security and intelligence requires our employees to be UK Nationals who are able to gain a high level of security clearance to undertake the projects we are involved in to protect us from security threats. For this reason, only UK Nationals will be able to apply for this role. If you are an international or dual-national candidate, and you think you have the skills we need, please consider applying to any of our government, security or defence partners.This role will require full UK security clearance and you should have resided in the UK for the past 5 years. For some roles Developed Vetting will also be required, in this case you should have resided in the UK for the past 10 years.Individuals within DSTL who hold dual nationality and currently hold the required clearance level may apply. If found suitable for the role further security discussions will need to take place before a formal offer can be made.QualificationsA degree or higher degree in Chemistry or a closely related Physical Science. (An equivalent qualification and suitable practical chemistry experience will also be considered)BehavioursWe'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:Delivering at Pace Working Together Making Effective DecisionsAlongside your salary of £29,001, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory contributes £8,401 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.BenefitsDstl’s full range of great benefits can be found in the information pack which includes:Financial: An excellent pension scheme starting from 26% employer contribution (find out more here). In Year Rewarding Achievement bonuses and thank you vouchers. Rental deposit scheme and cycle to work scheme. Flexible working: Options include alternative working patterns such as; compressed hours (e.g. working a 4 day week/ 9 day fortnight), job shares and annualised hours (agreed number of hours per annum paid monthly i.e. working term-time only). Working hours: Flexibility around your working day (e.g. start time, finish time). Ability to bank hours in a 12 month reference period including the ability to accrue and use 3 days per calendar month. Where you work: Depending on your role, blended working may be available including remote working to suit you and your team. This can be discussed at interview. Annual leave: 25 days pro rata (rising to 30 after 5 years) plus 8 public holidays with the ability to buy/sell 5 additional days per annum. Family: Maternity, adoption or shared parental leave of up to 26 weeks with full pay, an additional 13 weeks statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid Learning and Development: Dstl encourages and supports charterships, accreditations and provides employees access to fully funded apprenticeships up to level 7 (Masters Degree). Dstl will pay for 2 memberships with relevant bodies/institutions. Employees also have access to Civil Service Learning. Facilities: Onsite parking, EV Charging points, restaurants, cafés and gyms.Selection process detailsThis vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.At the application stage we will be assessing the Personal Statement and CV. Interview will be assessing your skills, experience and the behaviours stated above.We want you to have your best chance of success in our recruitment process, so If at any stage of the application process you would like help or assistance please contact the Dstl Recruitment Team and we will do all we can to support you.Sifting will take place week commencing 11th July. Interviews to be arranged for the 24th and 25th July.Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.SecuritySuccessful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is developed vetting (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is developed vetting (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.MedicalSuccessful candidates will be expected to have a medical.Nationality requirementsOpen to UK nationals only.This job is not open to candidates who hold a dual nationality.Working for the Civil ServiceThe 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.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.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.The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.Diversity and InclusionThe Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.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 applicantsJob Contact :Name : Dstl Recruitment Team Email : teamEmail : informationShould you wish to raise a formal complaint about the Dstl recruitment process you should email stating the nature of the issue. We will respond within 5 working days. #J-18808-Ljbffr