About the job

Job summary

• Kick-start a career in data science and artificial intelligence?
• AND work on projects that make a real difference in defence and security?
• AND earn a degree with no student debt whilst being paid?

It almost sounds too good to be true…but it’s not!

You can embark on Bsc (Hons) Data Science Level 6 apprenticeship.

Your journey in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence (AI) at the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) begins in either Exploration or Cyber and Information Systems (CIS).

You will share our values collaboration, innovation and impact, which are at the heart of everything we do. Your apprenticeship will see you exploit data and technology to solve problems as you support a range of projects. 

This is no ordinary office job opportunity – so many elements of what you do you can’t do anywhere else! 

You will be encouraged to question norms and bring fresh ideas to challenges. As priorities change, you can expect variety and we are honest when we say no two days are the same! 

Your studies will be supported by our training provider and the area you work in. 

Your current situation

You may have never worked in an office, be finishing sixth form, leaving the armed forces or looking for a change. No matter what your current situation is, if you are at least 18 years old you can join us as a Data Science Apprentice. 

What’s next?

Once you have successfully completed your apprenticeship, if you have demonstrated the required behaviours, we will support you in applying for a permanent position at Dstl 

Job description

In this role you will:

• Understand how data is collected and transformed to create strategic advantage
• Develop techniques to data manipulation and apply them
• Learn how to present data to customers, industry partners and academia

A full list is available on the attached profile on CS Jobs

Person specification

You will have:

• A genuine interest in data science, artificial intelligence and the defence industry
• A good understanding of basic mathematic principles and the desire to learn more

A full list is available on the attached profile on CS Jobs

You will possess these essential skills:

• The ability to learn new data techniques
• Good communication skills, both written and verbal
• Problem solving

Desirably you will have:

• Basic understanding or use of computer programming languages which may include either python, R or C++ - Familiar with an alternative language – let us know!

A full list is available on the attached profile on CS Jobs

You will have these Essential Qualifications

• Minimum of 3 ‘A’ levels (actual or expected grades) scoring 112 UCAS points (BBC) or equivalent with at least one in Mathematics or Computer Science or Physics.

• You will also need to hold 5 Grade 9 – 4 (C+) GCSEs or equivalent, including English and Maths.

Desirable:

• A second relevant A-Level in Maths, Statistics, Physics or Computer Science
• Maths GCSE Grade 9-6 (B+)

Don’t have an A-Level in Maths, Statistics, Physics or Computer Science but are a keen hobbyist, done some online courses? Please apply and reference them in your application.

Important Information

Our 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. You must be at least 18 years old in September 2024 to undertake this apprenticeship.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £24,511, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory contributes £6,618 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.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 dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk and we will do all we can to support you.

Sifting will take place week commencing the 25th February with interviews to be arranged from the 18th March 2024

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

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 security check (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.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

This job is not open to candidates who hold a dual nationality.

Working for the Civil Service

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.