About the job

Job summary

Are you a chemist looking for an opportunity to develop your analytical skills in a new and challenging role?  Would you enjoy working in a unique environment providing analysis and support to the Royal Navy and armed forces worldwide?  This post offers that opportunity! 

The work of the team is mainly the analysis of water samples from a range of sources, as well as maintenance of the equipment, development of new methods, and work in support of the laboratory’s Quality System.  The work is carried out in an ISO 17025 accredited environment and would suit someone with good attention to detail who is methodical and able to work accurately and consistently to detailed scientific procedures.

The Institute of Naval Medicine is the Royal Navy's centre of excellence for occupational health advice, information, training and research. Working in the Environmental and Industrial Hazards Laboratory you will support a team of scientific specialists providing high quality scientific analysis and advice to the Royal Navy and other UK armed services. The successful candidate will also be expected, if required, to assist in the Environmental and Industrial Hazards submarine sea-trials and hazardous materials response teams.

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

Job description

The Institute of Naval Medicine provides scientific and medical support to improve the health and safety of the Royal Navy and UK Armed Forces. The unique opportunities offered within are varied, challenging and exciting and support Navy Command’s role to generate and operate forces for today and to ensure we are ready for tomorrow by developing and delivering the Navy of the future. 

The successful candidate will work in a UKAS accredited laboratory as part of a team of 6 chemists, within a wider team of approximately 20 specialists, providing analytical support and advice to the Royal Navy and armed forces.

The primary role of the chemistry laboratory is the analysis of potable water samples and other environmental samples for the protection and ongoing health monitoring of the armed services.  The successful candidate will be responsible for the routine preparation & analysis of samples, Quality Control and data processing of results and issue of reports. Other duties include equipment maintenance and investigation, general laboratory upkeep, follow-up of non-conforming work and other actions resulting from the Quality System. As an accredited laboratory we conduct internal audits, and you will have the opportunity to join this team and contribute to this crucial task which is key to maintaining the quality of the laboratory’s output.

The secondary element of the role is membership of the hazardous materials response, and submarine trials teams.  In these teams you will work alongside military and civilian personnel ashore and at sea, including deploying on submarines, to conduct surveys, audits, investigations, and training. These roles require travel within the UK and overseas.

This is a multifaceted, exciting, and rewarding analytical chemistry role that has genuine impact for UK Defence.  It is an excellent opportunity to learn from a team of highly experienced and enthusiastic analysts and would appeal to anybody wanting to develop and apply their skills in both a routine laboratory and field setting.  Recent laboratory experience is desirable, however full training will be provided in all aspects of the role.

Duties and Responsibilities 

While the primary role is laboratory based, the successful applicant may be required to undertake further training to deliver field work in the UK and overseas, on land, air and maritime operations (including submarines) upon completion of training for the primary role.

 Key responsibilities include:

• Working within an ISO 17025 accredited environment to carry out work to a high standard in accordance with the laboratory Quality System
• Undertaking analysis of water and other samples using documented analytical methods and ensuring that all work is carried out to the requirements of the Quality System including successful participation in external quality assurance schemes
• Assisting in the maintenance of the laboratory Quality System, including method development and validation, monitoring and continuous improvement of processes, internal auditing, and management of non-conforming work
• Ensuring that stocks of necessary materials are maintained
• Maintaining and developing technical expertise in all aspects of the chemistry laboratory’s work including a working knowledge of relevant legislation and military policy
• Delivering training to service personnel, especially in sampling techniques and potable water topics
• Other laboratory tasks as required such as sample receipt, sample kit preparation and housekeeping
• Delivery of the SATT role, encompassing:
  • Undertaking submarine trials (Atmosphere Control Acceptance Tests and Submarine Atmosphere Investigations).
  • Undertaking Atmosphere Control Equipment Audits (ACE)
  • Delivery of training to Royal Navy personnel on submarine courses
• Deliver the role of HEPO, as part of an on-call duty commitment, to respond to incidents involving hazardous materials, associated exercises, and training delivery

Once competence is achieved, delivery of the SATT and HEPO roles may attract additional allowances.

Person specification

The successful candidate will be focused and dedicated to producing a high quality of work. You must be able to work independently with minimum supervision, making decisions regarding your own work and priorities, and be a considerate team worker, offering or providing help to other team members when required. While the primary role is laboratory based, the successful applicant may be required to undertake further training to deliver field work in the UK and overseas, on land, air and maritime operations (including submarines) upon completion of training for the primary role. A full UK driving licence is essential. 

An ENG1 (seafarer medical) is required, as provided through registered GPs, further information will be provided.

Desirable criteria

• As the post is primarily routine laboratory analysis, 12 months recent laboratory experience is desirable, preferably of an analytical nature
• Experience of organic and inorganic analytical techniques including GC-MS, IC, ICP-MS and ICP-OES
• Experience of working in an ISO 17025 accredited environment

Qualifications

First degree in Chemistry or a closely related scientific discipline.

Licences

A full UK driving licence (Category B)

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £28,300, Ministry of Defence contributes £7,641 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, Experience and Technical skills.

Candidates will be required to provide CV details to include: job history; qualification details and previous skills and experience.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Leadership
• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace

Technical Skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

• Securing, maintaining and developing relevant technical expertise
• Applying scientific and technical knowledge 
• Understanding and complying with statutory requirements and standards 

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

Candidates will be called for interview at the Institute of Naval Medicine, dependant upon meeting sift criteria. This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours and Technical skills. The candidates should be aware that the examples provided for the behaviours should ideally be in the "STAR" format (Situation, Task, Action, Result). 

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

Your suitability for the role will be assessed using the Success Profile elements that have been chosen for this campaign. Each element will be scored accordingly.

We welcome applications from everyone irrespective of gender and ethnic group. Appointment will be based on merit alone.

As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came into effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical.

The role currently being advertised has not been assessed as business critical and is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points based system. Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. If you need to advise us that you need additional help or reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process, please contact: DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk

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.

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.