About the job

Job summary

Are you an enthusiastic scientist who enjoys applying their specialist knowledge in the real world? Can you think on your feet and stay calm under pressure? If so, you might be the perfect candidate for a career in radiation protection with the UK Health Security Agency. No previous knowledge or experience of radiation protection is required as we will provide full support through a structured training programme.

In addition to our role as a Category 1 responder for radiation emergencies, we work with a wide range of clients operating in sectors as diverse as dentistry to aerospace and waste disposal to the high tech-world of Formula One. So, if you want to make a difference in a role that combines variety with the practical application of scientific principles this could be just for you.

The successful applicants will join an established professional team providing advice on safe working practices and regulatory compliance for all types of radiation from X-rays and gamma rays to radioactive materials, lasers, and electromagnetic fields. The role will involve:

• The provision of income earning radiation protection services to a wide range of clients, advising on and assisting with regulatory compliance and implementation of effective safety management programmes for work with ionising and non-ionising radiations. This is achieved through consultations with clients, situation analysis/risk assessment and the preparation of persuasive and authoritative reports
• Support for and contribution to training courses in radiation protection for a wide range of clients and at a range of levels
• Responding to radiation events and incidents on behalf of commercial clients
• To participate in UKHSA's unique statutory role as a Category 1 responder to national radiation emergencies and, when required, non-radiological events
• Responding to enquiries on a wide range of radiation protection issues from the public, industry and local and national agencies
• Supporting UKHSA activities relating to the development of standards, legislation etc with respect to operational radiation protection issues

Job description

​Location

The posts are based at our office on the Harwell Science and Innovation Campus in South Oxfordshire, which is a modern dedicated science campus in an attractive rural setting on the edge of the North Wessex Downs Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, offering exceptional quality of life and just 20 minutes’ drive from the historic city of Oxford. We provide ample free parking and are close to a wide range of amenities.

We offer a benefits package designed to provide an excellent work/life balance, including generous annual leave entitlement, flexible working hours, hybrid working and membership of the excellent civil service pension scheme. We are absolutely committed to the development of our staff and provide a structured training programme designed to provide both the theoretical knowledge and practical experience needed to achieve certification as a radiation protection adviser. We also offer wide-ranging opportunities for post-certification training and professional development.

Address:

Harwell Campus, Didcot, OX11 0RQ

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

Working Pattern – Full Time

Responsibilities Section

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

• The provision of income earning radiation protection services to a wide range of clients, advising on and assisting with regulatory compliance and implementation of effective safety management programmes for work with ionising and non-ionising radiations. This is achieved through consultations with clients, situation analysis/risk assessment and the preparation of persuasive and authoritative reports
• Support for and contribution to training courses in radiation protection for a wide range of clients and at a range of levels
• Responding to radiation events and incidents on behalf of commercial clients
• To participate in UKHSA's unique statutory role as a Category 1 responder to national radiation emergencies and, when required, non-radiological events
• Responding to enquiries on a wide range of radiation protection issues from the public, industry and local and national agencies
• Supporting UKHSA activities relating to the development of standards, legislation etc with respect to operational radiation protection issues

 To provide expert advice:

• To clients, from equipment operators to senior managers/directors on all aspects of radiation safety relevant to their practices
• On compliance with all relevant radiation safety legislation
• On the design of new facilities and techniques where ionising radiations are used. This includes laboratories, X-ray facilities used in medicine and industrial facilities
• On the safe storage and disposal of radioactive materials and their safe transportation
• On remediation after a radiological incident resulting in contamination and assess by direct means the extent of such contamination

(Please see the job description for a full list of duties)

Person specification

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. It is important through your application and Statement of Suitability of 750 words (maximum 1,000) that you give evidence and examples of proven experience of each of the following criteria:

Essential

• Excellent communication and influencing skills
• The ability to assess complex and novel situations by applying fundamental scientific principles to identify and understand potential hazards
• Good observational and questioning skills with the ability to identify key issues and reach sound conclusions from incomplete information
• Technical competence in making measurements
• Strong presentation skills with an ability to deliver high quality presentations on a range of topics to varying audiences
• Strong self-motivation, high personal integrity, excellent time management and an ability to work largely unsupervised
• Experience of working with a range of software including Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, Access, Excel and Teams
• A willingness to travel within the UK and overseas together with a full, clean UK driving licence.

Desirable

• Experience of operational radiation protection and membership of a relevant professional society would be an advantage

Please see the job description for the full list of essential and desirable criteria.

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. This will be assessed in line with the advertised essential criteria – please do provide evidence of how you meet this. 

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).

**Please do not submit your CV, we require you to complete the full application process including a Personal Statement/Statement of Suitability, as outlined below. Please ensure that your Statement of Suitability contains no personal identifiers e.g. name in either the file name or content of the document.**

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.

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

You must have the right to work in the UK to be considered for this post.

STAGE 2 – INTERVIEW 

This competition will involve an interview by video.  

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.  

Applicants will also be asked to participate in a short interview presentation and written assessment. Full details will be provided on the day of the interview.               

Expected Timeline:

Advert close: 23:55hrs on 17th March 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: w/c 18 March 2024

Interviews: w/c 8 April 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.