About the job

Job summary

The Radiation Metrology Group is at the forefront of delivering a comprehensive national capability in the field of practical and reliable measurement of external ionizing radiation. Our team specializes in interpreting measurement results and providing technical services for regulatory testing of ionizing radiation monitoring instruments. We are the go-to experts for regulatory compliance testing of radiation monitoring instruments and spearhead innovative projects to measure ionising radiation (IR) in the workplace and the environment.

As a leader in our commercial division, you will steer UKHSA’s Instrument Testing Service (ITS) and manage the daily functions of our state-of-the-art metrology labs. Your exceptional technical, communication, and organisational skills will be pivotal in guiding a dynamic team.

We’re looking for a candidate with a robust blend of technical expertise and business acumen. If you’re ready to lead projects, engage in business and financial planning, make critical decisions, author and review key documents, and ensure compliance, we want you on our team.

Elevate your career with us—where science meets precision.

Location - Based at UKHSA Chilton, Oxon, OX11 0RQ

*Please be aware that this role can only be worked from within the UK and not overseas. Relocation expenses are not available.* 

Job description

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

Lead, manage and develop the Ionising Radiation (IR) instrument Testing Service (ITS). This team delivers the projects and services relating to operational measurement of ionising radiation and the calibration and type-testing of associated instrumentation.

• Maintain operation of world class facilities traceable to national standards.
• Be responsible for the technical development and maintenance of radiation facilities and associated systems.
• Develop proposals for the improvement of facilities and services.

Management of specialist projects including:

• Supporting UK government departments and agencies to characterize and meet their needs relating for IR measurement and instrumentation (e.g., technical requirement specifications, independent monitoring surveys of industrial and nuclear sites, and for CBRN monitoring)
• Designing, proposing, and managing IR metrology projects for commercial customers, including instrument development, and material lead-equivalency testing.
• Undertake and report on investigations into novel requirements and opportunities for IR measurement, reflecting the relevant operational and scientific requirements and constraints.
• In association with the SRP, UKAS, NPL and others organise and analyse national comparisons of instrument calibration laboratories for photon, surface contamination and neutron measurements.

Provide an overall lead for the Team on 

• Maintenance and review of business volumes and income and expenditure =
• Quality assurance including UKAS accreditation and approving instrument test certificates as a Qualified Person in compliance with the Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017
• Maintenance and development of the Instrument Testing Service website and attending Instrument Testing Service Working Group meetings

Communicating:

• Drafting, review and approval of technical reports for customers
• Preparation, review and delivery of scientific papers for journals and conferences
• Providing advice and information in complex cases directly to stakeholders (customers, government, public)

IR training specialist:

• Managing the RPTS Instrumentation Specialist module, developing and providing lectures and demonstrations for this course, other RPTS modules and a variety of other training programmes.

Emergency response monitoring team leader:

• Act as team leader for the Environmental Monitoring and Coordination team and resources at the UKHSA Chilton Emergency Centre during radiation or nuclear emergencies and exercises. Provide expert advice on the interpretation of the results taking responsibility for advice issued by the team.
• Be responsible for the technical development and maintenance of radiation protection instrumentation and the associated systems needed for emergency monitoring.

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 job description attached for full list of duties and competencies associated with the post.

Person specification

It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of 1250 words that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the essential criteria (for full details of all essential criteria please refer to the attached job description):

Essential:

• Degree level and/or post-graduate qualifications in a physical science relevant to radiation metrology or substantial equivalent experience
• Have proven evidence of substantial knowledge and understanding of the principles, methods, challenges, standards, and legislation associated with ionizing radiation metrology. For example, achieved a pass mark on the UKHSA’s RPTS Foundation course, the RPTS Instrumentation and Selection course, and the RPS course. https://www.ukhsaprotectionservices.org.uk/rpts
• Authorised as a Qualified Person, as defined in the Ionising Radiations Regulations 2017, to approve that instrument results are typical of type.
• Detailed knowledge and understanding of the legislation relating to the test and examination of radiation protection instrumentation for use in designated areas
• Extensive experience of working in a scientific environment managing a commercial service that delivers technically complex work in an area with stringent technical requirements
• Able to analyse and provide input into a variety of detailed technical / scientific documentation, including international standards, type test reports, and technical specifications.

Desirable:

• Have attained the status of SRP Incorporated Radiation Protection Professional (IRadP) or Chartered Radiation Protection Professional (CRadP), or equivalent independently assessed status
• Demonstrated experience of planning and implementing complex and challenging projects and services, including development and monitoring of contractual business plans and budgets
• Knowledge and experience of writing method statements and risk assessments for a variety of situations
• Strategic thinking – ability to anticipate and resolve problems before they arise.

Please ensure that your statement of suitability does not contain any personal identifiers such as Name, Gender, Location, Marital Status, Sexual Orientation or Religion. The UKHSA operates a fair and open recruitment policy.

Benefits

For more information on the UKHSA please visit: UK Health Security Agency - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk)

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%
• Range of health and wellbeing support

Any move to UKHSA from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at Childcare Choices , 30 Hours Free Childcare, Tax-Free Childcare and More , Help with Costs , GOV.UK

Things you need to know

Selection process details

STAGE 1 - APPLICATION & SIFT: 

You will be required to complete an application form. This will be assessed in line with the full list of essential criteria as detailed in the attached job description – 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 an in-person 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. 

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.  Candidates will also be asked to participate in a session where they will be required to prepare and deliver a 5-minute presentation to the panel.  This will be followed by a question-and-answer segment.  The presentation will be designed to assess each candidate’s experience in line with the requirements of the role.  Full details will be provided prior to the interview.

The Competency-Based framework will be used to assess and recruit the most suitable candidate.  The following behaviours will be used at the interview:

• Seeing the big picture
• Changing and improving
• Making effective decisions
• Leading and communicating
• Collaborating and partnering
• Achieving commercial outcomes
• Delivering value for money
• Managing a quality service
• Delivering at pace
  
  

Expected Timeline:

Advert close: 23:55hrs on 2nd April 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.

Shortlist: 8th April 2024

Interviews: w/c 15th April 2024

Please note these dates could be subject to change.  

Eligibility Criteria

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

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 Basic Personnel Security Standard. People working with government assets must complete Basic Personnel Security Standard checks.

For posts on UKHSA Civil Service terms and conditions, new entrants to the Civil Service are expected to start on the minimum of the pay band. For existing Civil Servants and roles advertised across government, the rules of transfer apply, i.e., level transfers move on current salary or the pay range minimum, transfers on promotion move to new pay range minimum or receive a 10% increase. Either case is determined by whichever is the highest. 

Please Note

This role is to be appointed under Civil Service Terms & Conditions. Full details on the T&C’s are found https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/

Are you already a civil servant, or employed by a Civil Service Commission accredited public body? Please state home department on your application form.

Do you meet the nationality requirements for this post? https://www.ukhsa.reed.com/

Complaint process:

The law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles, and you wish to make a complaint, in the first instance, you should contact UKHSA Public Accountability Unit via email: Complaints1@ukhsa.gov.uk. If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website.

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.