About the job

Job summary

The successful candidate will be an instrumental part of a small team designing, constructing, and repairing electronic and electro-mechanical equipment and systems to support the research and provision of operational services across UKHSA’s Radiation, Chemical and Environment Hazards Directorate. You will be working with an array of interesting equipment to help facilitate protecting the public from such exposure as well as using your experience to conduct continuous improvement across your remit.

UKHSA’s Radiation, Chemical and Environment Hazards Directorate provides advice, research, and services to protect the public from exposure to chemicals and poisons, ionising and non-ionising radiation, and other environmental hazards.

Location: Chilton, Oxfordshire - will occasionally be expected to work irregular hours. There will also be a requirement to travel within the UK and occasionally overseas.

*Relocation expenses are not available*

 Working Pattern – Full Time, Flexible Working

Job description

The job holder will be required to carry out the following responsibilities, activities and duties:

• Design and construct electronic and electro-mechanical equipment and systems - this covers digital and analogue design, the use of microcontrollers, control systems and data acquisition.
• Develop application software
• Work on safety related control systems (safety interlocking) for radiological and machinery safety.
• Commission and test equipment.
• Carry out modification of existing equipment.
• Provide fault diagnosis and maintenance of electronic and electromechanical equipment and systems.
• Provide advice to scientific staff on the purchase and use of electronic equipment.

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.

Please see the job description for the full list of duties and responsibilities.

Person specification

It is important through your CV and Statement of Suitability of 1500 words that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the following criteria:

Essential

• Qualification to Degree level in electronic engineering or equivalent experience.
• Electronics and electro-mechanical design, development and support.
• Practical experience in electrical and electronic construction techniques.
• Knowledge and understanding of mechanical engineering techniques.
• Practical experience in using electronic test equipment such as oscilloscopes, logic analysers and signal generators
• CAD design
• Writing/developing application software

 Desirable

• Good oral and written communication
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office applications
• Understanding of radiological protection principles
• Training/experience in emergency response.

Benefits

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%

Things you need to know

Selection process details

STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT: 

You will be required to complete an application form and Statement of Suitability of up to 1500 words. This will be assessed in line with the advertised essential criteria – please do provide evidence of how you meet this. 

If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to an interview.

STAGE 2 – INTERVIEW 

This competition will involve a face-to-face interview. 

As part of the process, candidates will be invited to interview which will involve an in-depth discussion of your previous experience and professional competence in relation to the criteria set out in the Person Specification. 

Your Statement of Suitability should outline your skills, experience, and achievements, providing evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria (outlined in the person specification section).

You will also be asked to provide information within the ‘Employer/ Activity history’ section of the application form. This is equivalent to the information you would provide on a CV, setting out your career history.

Expected Timeline:

Advert close: 23:55hrs on 26th June 2024 – unfortunately, late applications will not be considered. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Interviews: Week commencing 22nd July 2024

Please note these dates could be subject to change.  

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

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

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.