About the job

Job summary

The Chemical, Biological and Radiation (CBR) Division provides solutions to MOD and wider government through the application of world leading capabilities across the physical, human and life sciences. These unique capabilities combine our incredible people with a large and varied suite of labs and other facilities to provide impact to our stakeholders across a full range of products and services; from cutting edge research, through test and evaluation, to direct support to operations.  In doing so, we aim to understand and enhance the performance and protection of our people, and provide our stakeholders across Defence and Security with the S&T advantage to out-match and overcome our adversaries.

We have an exciting opportunity for a veterinary surgeon with research experience to join the Medical and Trauma Sciences Team. You will be an integral part of the Combat Casualty Care Research leadership team. Our world leading research seeks to understand the biological consequences of traumatic injuries as well as investigate strategies to mitigate the injuries and their consequences.

In order to do this, we need people like you with strong technical/analytical skills and leadership ability to help us to innovate and develop technologies which give us the winning-edge. 

You will work on a variety of interesting and challenging problems that owing to their sensitivity cannot be done elsewhere - we offer hands on scientific work like no other.

As part of the research leadership team you will work with senior stakeholders from within Defence Medical Services and use and apply your veterinary knowledge and expertise to translate clinical problems into meaningful research studies using a range of models from clinical cases, in vivo models through to in vitro models where appropriate.

There will also be opportunity to support projects across Dstl including within the Chemical/Biological research programme

Job description

 In this role you will:

• Ensure studies adhere to the RCVS Code of Professional Conduct and the five Principles of practice
• Ensure experimental studies comply with national legislation and local processes.
• Proactively implement best research practice, including implementation of the 3R’s (reduction, replacement and refinement).
• Ensure high quality experimental data
• Provide impartial, evidenced-based advice to customers and key stakeholders to enable them to make informed decisions regarding the most appropriate care for injured service personnel.
• Hands on research involving animal models of traumatic injury

Person specification

We are looking for someone who has:

• A Veterinary Science Degree and you must be a practicing member of Royal College of Veterinary Surgeons.
• A desire to work  as part of a world leading research team, applying your veterinary knowledge for planning, designing and conducting experimental studies in advancement of our understanding of military trauma.
• The ability to interpret,  analyse and communicate scientific findings from studies in relevant formats, written and verbal, to internal and external stakeholders in order to enable decision making at senior level within the Defence Medical Services.
• A good understand of the legal framework for the use of animals for scientific purposes.
• An ability to lead by example and promote best practice in experimental studies.
• The ability to develop effective collaborations with other Government Departments, Industry and Academic Groups to maximise the UK capability for trauma sciences.  
• Experience in anesthesia and non standard surgical techniques
• An interest in developing traumatic injury animal models for research
• Experience of working within a laboratory environment
• Experience as a Home Office Personal Licensee/Home office Project license holder working under the Animals (Scientific Procedures) Act (1986) or a willingness and ability to undertake modular training in multiple species in order to become a Personal Licensee
• A willingness to learn and a commitment to undertake continuing professional development throughout their career
• A proven track record of working collaboratively within teams.
• The ability to organise, plan and implement projects to deadlines.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Experimental design

Please see the attached job profile for details of the desirable attributes for this role.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £46,900, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory contributes £12,663 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.

The sift will be completed the week after the closing date and will assess  how your CV/Personal Statement matches the requirements for the role as detailed in the attached job description.

The Interview will consist of a combined technical and behavioural interview assessing your skills and experience in relation to the job description

At interview you will be asked to give a presentation - Critical review of an original research paper of your choice

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.