About the job

Job summary

Dstl (the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory) is a proven national asset providing world class expertise and delivering cutting-edge science and technology for the benefit of the nation and our allies.

In order to provide essential defence and security advice to Government concerning the threats posed by chemical warfare agents and other emerging chemicals, Dstl relies on the ability to synthesise such chemicals safely and securely. This synthetic chemistry research capability at Porton Down provides the scientific evidence that predicates the UK’s chemical defence posture and its support to the Chemical Weapons Convention.

This role will support a range of research projects including routine synthesis of material for other teams and conducting your own fundamental research. All of this will be within our brand new, state-of-the-art, Chemical Weapons Defence Centre.

Clearly, working with such acutely toxic chemicals requires extensive control measures to be in place. For this you will receive full training and will work under strict health & safety processes.

Job description

In this role you will:

• Play an important part in defending the UK and our allies against the threats posed by acutely toxic materials.
• Prepare and purify a range of compounds, some of which will be pharmacologically-active and acutely toxic.
• Work to the highest safety standards, meeting all relevant regulatory and quality standards.
• Produce high quality written reports and manage your time effectively across multiple projects to work to agreed delivery dates.
• Provide scientific expertise to a range of projects across Dstl, both in and out of the laboratory.
• Provide clear and precise presentations and written and verbal updates on project outcomes to collaborators and customers.
• Network with specialists internal and external to Dstl to seek developments in technical areas relevant to chemical defence and security and use these networks to encourage and cultivate innovation and exciting chemical discoveries
• Develop an understanding of and ensure strict compliance to, the relevant policies and treaties associated with the work you will conduct (i.e. Chemicals Weapon Convention and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons).
• Work effectively as a member of a team, meeting set objectives.

Job Dimensions

This role requires the post-holder to work within specialist chemistry laboratories alongside a team of other scientists and support staff to support a range of research projects.

This role will be offered as either a Synthetic Chemist or a Senior Synthetic Chemist depending on the candidate’s prior experience and qualifications. The main difference between the two is that the senior grade will take on more technical leadership (planning experiments, delivering results and developing junior staff) compared to the lower grade. Consequently, we require higher entry qualifications and experience for the senior grade.

Applications will be assessed against both grades and the successful candidate will be informed which grade they meet.

Person specification

We are looking for someone who has:

• A good knowledge of organic chemistry and an interest in applying practical experience (e.g. organic and asymmetric synthesis of pure compounds; working safely with acutely toxic and/or pharmacologically-active chemicals; use of various separation techniques) in a defence and security context.
• Familiarity with widely used characterisation techniques such as GC-MS, LC-MS and NMR.
• Creativity within the research and development area.
• A desire to understand new and emerging technologies (convergence of the sciences) and how these might serve to improve our capability and shape research to counter any threat these technologies may impose.
• An ambitious, hard-working demeanour and enjoys working with others across different fields.
• An eagerness to expand science and technology networks, working with external partners where possible, and developing collaboration across international communities.

Essential Qualifications 

For Level 4 role:

Minimum of an Honours degree (or equivalent) in Chemistry or At least three years’ experience of practical, lab-based based synthetic chemistry.

For Level 5 role:

Minimum of a Master’s degree (or equivalent) in Chemistry or At least five years’ experience of practical, lab-based based synthetic chemistry.

Essential Experience

For Level 4 role:

• Experience in practical, lab-based synthetic chemistry with evidence of undertaking multi-step syntheses and purification.
• Working to strict Health & Safety protocols and role modelling safe working.
• Good understanding of chemical synthesis and organic chemistry, properties of chemicals and how to safely plan work with hazardous chemicals.
• A working knowledge of common characterisation techniques such as GC-MS, LC-MS and NMR along with the ability to assign and interpret spectra.
• The ability to work well within a team.
• The ability to communicate effectively (verbally and in writing).

For Level 5 role:

• Experience in a range of synthetic methodologies with strong evidence of undertaking multi-step syntheses and purification.
• Working to strict Health & Safety protocols and role modelling safe working.
• Strong understanding of chemical synthesis and organic chemistry, properties of chemicals and how to safely plan work with hazardous chemicals.
• Strong working knowledge and hands-on experience of common characterisation techniques such as GC-MS, LC-MS and NMR along with the ability to assign and interpret spectra.
• Strong practical and analytical skills with an ability to interpret scientific results, draw appropriate conclusions and recommend further work to increase knowledge.
• The ability to work well within a team and experience of mentoring other scientists within a team.
• Ability to communicate complex technical concepts effectively (verbally and in writing), to a range of audiences of varying technical understanding.

Memberships

Membership of a relevant scientific body (e.g. Royal Society of Chemistry) is desirable. Dstl actively supports professional development and recognition and will support staff to attain and maintain up to two professional memberships.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £29,001, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory contributes £7,830 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 and Experience.

Candidates will be asked to submit a CV and supporting statement in support of their application. Sifting will take place once the vacancy closes and successful candidates will be invited to interview in late July or early August

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 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.

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.