About the job

Job summary

Dstl Platform Systems Division Underwater Group (UWG) is looking for a Senior Scientist to join the Special Fit team, to assist their ongoing work to support Royal Navy (RN) platforms fitted with special purpose equipment and participation in wider Fleet Equipment Trials within the Group.

You will be involved in in-depth data analysis, developing mathematical models, new calibration techniques and executing trials alongside the engineers within the team to support operational platforms and procurement of new trials equipment. This will involve working with other Government departments, agencies, military and industry, both within the UK and abroad.

Dstl recognises the importance of diversity and inclusion as people from diverse backgrounds bring fresh ideas. We are committed to building an inclusive working environment in which each employee fulfils their potential and maximises their contribution.

We particularly welcome female and ethnic minority applicants and those from the LGBTQI community, as they are under-represented within Dstl at these levels.

Job description

In this role you will;

• Work as a member of a team of engineers, analysts, scientists and trials managers on a varied portfolio of work which extends across the Group.
• Plan, influence and participate in technical maritime trials.
• Provide timely, evidence-based advice to enable customers to make informed decisions on bespoke trials equipment on maritime platforms.
• Build enduring networks and communicate effectively with partners to support planning of technical work and trials against a fluid operational programme.
• Mentor and develop junior members of the team with data analysis techniques and sharing skills/knowledge.
• Pro-actively support safe working practices, appreciating the need for colleague welfare is the top priority for Dstl. You will take responsibility for working safely and report on any practices, no matter how big or small, to mitigate any potential risks.

Safety

You will take reasonable care of your own and other people’s health and safety by following safe working practices, cooperating with your managers on health and safety, respecting and contributing to a strong Dstl safety culture.  Where you think work or inadequate precautions are putting anyone’s health and safety at risk you will report this to a suitable person who can take appropriate action.

Person specification

We're looking for someone who has;

• An analytical mind with a mathematical/physics background, able to structure, visualise and show a proactive approach to problem solving
• Ability to work both autonomously and within a team environment, with a positive self-starting attitude and willingness to collaborate with others to deliver against common goals.
• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to build effective relationships with a wide customer (military/civilian) and stakeholder community, work innovatively and creatively as part of a multi-disciplinary project team.
• Effective and demonstrable oral and written communication skills to produce proposals, safety cases, short reports, provide advice and communicate results with customers.
• Good organisation and time management skills to support delivery across multiple projects of work packages, with a proven flexibility to adapt to operational requirements and working at pace on high impact technical projects.
• Bachelor degree in Mathematics, Physics or similar subject with analytical elements, or equivalent qualifications/experience.
• Basic proficiency with using modelling/coding software such as Python or Matlab, and/or experience of algorithm development and implementation, formulating algorithms from scientific and technical theories and delivering a model.
• Background of acoustic analysis and/or sonar processing.
• Full UK driving licence

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. For some roles Developed Vetting will also be required, in this case you should have resided in the UK for the past 10 years.

Location/Working Pattern

This role is primarily based in an office at Dstl Portsdown West. It will also include visits to other Dstl sites, government buildings, industry partners, dockyards and deployments to naval platforms, and other locations within the UK, and occasionally may include foreign travel.

At Dstl, our vision is to have a modern way of working efficiently, accommodating and enabling our people to create, collaborate and deliver innovative science and technology with our partners, working in a way they need to wherever they need to.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £35,970, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory contributes £9,711 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.

Sifting will take place week commencing the 5 February 2024 with interviews to be arranged from the 12 February 2024 which will explore further your behaviours and technical skills.

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.

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 developed vetting (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.