About the job

Job summary

Diverse perspectives and experiences are critical to our success, and we welcome applications from all people from all backgrounds with the experience and skills needed to perform this role. We look forward to receiving your application.

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.

We are looking for someone to join our team of experimental research scientists and engineers at HSE's Buxton laboratory, to learn how develop the software and build control systems that drive our test equipment.

You will be creating and maintaining software applications for scientific data acquisition and experimental control, primarily using the LabVIEW development environment.  You will also be involved in designing, constructing and the testing of electrical assemblies. Projects range in scale from lab bench to full sized industrial rigs at our outdoor facilities, where control equipment can be 100's of metres away from the test set up.

As a trainee Instrument Engineer you will have opportunity to work with colleagues across a number of different teams within HSE's Science Division, supporting the delivery of practical experiments.  Projects range from incident investigation, scientific research, and test programmes for commercial clients. 

This is a great role to give you insight across these varied areas of research. Many of our current large scale projects are enabling the development of new energy technologies and achieving safe net zero, including hydrogen for heat & transport and battery technologies.  However, you may also be working on projects relating to health, a recent example being the development of a control system to operate a device that simulates a person coughing, in a controlled and repeatable way.

If you have a keen interest in science and engineering, with the aptitude to learn and develop skills in software development, coupled with practical ability, this could be a fantastic opportunity to take the next step in developing your career. 

To view a short video giving an idea of the types of test work we undertake, please follow this link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DE2mnZRMHB4

Job description

Software and associated control systems are a key part of how Science Division deliver experiments, seeking to better understand a range of health and safety related scientific problems. Your role will be to design and build these systems.  You will work alongside colleagues to trouble shoot and solve issues during the commissioning phase of test programmes, to ensure test rigs do whats expected, and the right data is collected. Projects can be large or small, complex or simple, urgent or background system improvements - no two are the same.

You will be working closely with the Senior Instrumentation Engineer who will both delegate tasks to you, and support your development through coaching and mentoring.

Full training will be giving in the specific aspects of the role such as use of the Labview software, so whilst previous experience may be useful it is not essential. 

There maybe the opportunity for you to develop your current experience and qualifications via further or higher education whilst in post. 

We sponsor our team members professional memberships and attendance at relevant CPD events.  

As this role has significant practical elements, it is expected that you will work primarily at the laboratory in Buxton.  At times this will include working outdoors.

Part time working hours are available for this role. We can accept part time applicants who can commit to working a minimum of 30 hours per week.

Person specification

Essential skills and experience: 

You will be able to:

• Learn how to use specific software packages, paying attention to detail and working methodically to provide robust scientific outcomes.  You must be able to demonstrate ability and aptitude for this type of work through the recruitment process.
• Demonstrate ability to solve technical problems (sometimes at pace) both independently and through collaborating with colleagues
• Have an aptitude for practical tasks, working in a safe, tidy and organised manner.
• Have the ability to balance more than one objective at a time, organising, planning and prioritising your own calendar to meet deadlines and achieve goals
  
• Communicate effectively with colleagues and customers both verbally and via email
• Work to high professional standards in science and engineering, following risk assessments or quality procedures as appropriate.
• Be proactive in pursuing own continuing professional development in line with business need.

Desirable qualification- Level 4/5 or 6 qualification in a relevant STEM subject.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £27,316, Health and Safety Executive contributes £7,375 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, Strengths, Experience and Technical skills.

Application Information

As part of your application, you will be asked to complete a CV that displays your qualifications and any work experience. You will also be asked to complete a Personal Statement (of no more than 1000 words), further information will be included on the application form. 

Application Guidance 

Please access the following link for guidance on how to apply and how to complete a Personal Statement https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/how-to-apply/   

Sift information

The sift will take place from the 29th of February 2024. where you will be assessed you on your CV and personal statement.

Interview information

The interviews will be held at our Buxton site- Harpur Hill Buxton, Buxton SK17 9JN during the week commencing 11th of March 2024. You will be assessed against the advertised behaviour, experience, technical skills. You will also be assessed against strengths. 

AI Tools & Platforms

During the application process candidates are allowed to utilise AI (artificial intelligence) platforms and Tools to support them in writing their Behaviours, CV’s and Personal Statements. However, all information submitted must be factually accurate. This includes presenting the ideas and experience of others, or those generated by artificial intelligence, as your own. All presented information will be assessed at the Interview Stage.

Further Information

Please note that a reserve list will be held for the period of up to 12 months.

Sponsorship

This role is not open to application from those who will require sponsorship under the points based system. Should you apply for this role and require sponsorship your application will be rejected, and any provisional offers of employment will be withdrawn.

It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure they are aware of the terms and conditions they will adopt should they be successful in their application.  

For a summary of HSE terms and conditions as part of Civil Service Reform, please see the attached document. 

Any move to HSE 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 here 

HSE is proud to be a part of the Disability Confidence Scheme (DCS). As a Disability Confident employer, we positively welcome applications from disabled people. We are committed to making workplace adjustments to ensure anyone can participate in the recruitment and selection process. We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for all disabled applicants who provide evidence of meeting the minimum requirements necessary for the post. If, during the application or interview process, you require any assistance due to a disability or a medical condition, please contact us at the email address below to discuss how we can support you.

If successful in securing your role, HSE can provide suitable workplace adjustments to support you throughout your career with HSE.

If you have a disability and you need an application form in an alternative format or you would like to know more about our recruitment process, please contact: hr.resourcing-team@hse.gov.uk   

Please note, if you are a current civil servant and you are currently undergoing any of the following formal actions your application will not be progressed any further; 
Formal discipline action, any formal action regarding attendance, poor performance or any restriction of duties as a result of disciplinary action. 

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. 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.