Dstl Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire SP4 0JQ
At Dstl, our vision is to have a modern way of working efficiently, accommodating and enabling our people to create, collaborate and deliver. To do this successfully in this job will require 60% attendance, this role will be office based at our Porton Down site.
Your role is primarily based in the offices and laboratories at Dstl Porton Down. There will be the need to work on other Dstl sites, MoD locations and with external partners, for example when attending meetings or conferences.
Where business needs allow, and with the agreement of your line manager, there may be the option for a combination of workplace and home-based working. This is a non-contractual arrangement.
Job Summary
Are you a chemistry graduate looking to develop your skills on unique projects, in unique labs and on projects that make a real difference?
If so, Defence, Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) is recruiting.
You have the opportunity to join a rotational scheme within the Chemical, Biological and Radiological (CBR) area where you will experience 4 rotations over 2 years before being embedded within one team. Your time will be split between work in the lab and in the office as you work on a number of interesting problems and collaborate with professionals across industry and academia.
We will provide you the opportunity to grow supported by our friendly experts whilst you will have:
* A degree in chemistry or related discipline (this could be completed in 2025 or previously),
* Experience whilst at university, in a placement or in the workplace of Practical Laboratory Skills, Data visualisation and presenting skills.
This Opportunity Is For You If You Can:
* Work independently and within a team, and
* Share the values of Dstl – innovative, collaborative and impact.
In this role you will:
* Work on a variety of interesting and challenging problems that owing to their sensitivity cannot be done elsewhere.
* Make a difference and have pride in what you do; our work improves the front-line capability of the UK Armed Forces, keeps British citizens safe and supports national prosperity.
* Form links across Government, Industry and Academia. Work with an array of partners both at home and abroad including the Armed Forces, other Government departments and Industry.
* Develop your career in exciting new areas that are growing to meet cutting-edge challenges.
* Enhance your current knowledge, learning many new skills through the exciting work on offer and through learning and development opportunities.
Technical Skills
Essential
* Practical Laboratory Skills with ideally experience working in Chemistry laboratories.
* Experimental Design
* Data Analysis, Statistics and Reporting
* Collaboration & Team Working
* Report writing
* Presentation Skills
* Data visualisation
Desirable
* Engineering or practical skills for building experimental rigs and equipment.
* Working in hazardous or non-routine environments, or working with hazardous materials.
* Experience of programming for automation and control or data processing (e.g. DAQ Factory, Python, C++, SCADA, R, LabVIEW, Matlab)
Essential Experience
* Evidence of experience of applying laboratory techniques in a chemistry laboratory.
* Laboratory experience and understanding of safe working practices.
* Working to deadline
* Experience in reaching evidence-based conclusions, supported by analysis.
* Communicating technical content to diverse audiences.
* Experience of working as part of a team and independently.
* Experience in using Microsoft Office package (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook) for data analysis, technical reports and presentations.
Desirable
* Networking successfully with customers and colleagues including external partners in government, academia and industry.
* Integrated industry placement during degree course.
Behaviours
Changing and Improving
* Work with others to identify areas for improvement and simplify processes.
* Use technology where possible to increase efficiency.
* Encourage ideas for change from a wide range of sources.
* Clearly explain the reasons for change to colleagues and how to implement them.
* Encourage an environment where colleagues can challenge decisions and issues safely.
* Take managed risks by considering the varied impacts changes could have.
Working Together
* Encourage joined up teamwork within your own team and across other groups.
* Establish professional relationships with a range of stakeholders.
* Collaborate to share information, resources and support.
* Invest time to develop a common focus and positive team spirit.
* Put in place support for the wellbeing of individuals within the team.
* Make it clear that bullying, harassment and discrimination are unacceptable.
* Actively seek and consider input from diverse backgrounds.
Developing Self And Others
* Identify capability gaps for yourself and your team.
* Ensure development objectives are set and achieved.
* Take time to coach, mentor and develop other colleagues.
* Promote inclusiveness by respecting different personal needs.
* Reflect on your own work, continuously seek and act on feedback.
Delivering at Pace
* Show a positive approach to keeping the team focused on priorities.
* Promote a culture of following appropriate procedures.
* Ensure the most appropriate resources are available for colleagues.
* Regularly monitor work against milestones.
* Act promptly to reassess workloads and priorities.
* Allow individuals the space and authority to meet objectives.
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.
Safety
* Must appreciate and be responsible for the health and safety of self and others.
* Must demonstrate the expected HS behaviours as defined by the Civil Service and Dstl.
* Must ensure understanding and maintenance of appropriate training.
* Develop a working environment that champions health, wellbeing, safety and environmental management.
* Be aware of the downstream impact of actions on those outside of immediate control.
Important Information
Our work in defence, security and intelligence requires our employees to be UK Nationals who can gain a high level of security clearance. For this reason, only UK Nationals will be able to apply for this role.
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.
Qualifications
A degree level qualification in a relevant field (Chemistry, Physical Chemistry, Chemical Engineering) or demonstrable equivalent.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
* Changing and Improving
* Working Together
* Developing Self and Others
* Delivering at Pace
Alongside your salary of £29,001, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory contributes £8,401 towards your Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
Benefits
Dstl’s full range of great benefits can be found in the information pack which includes:
* Financial: An excellent pension scheme starting from 26% employer contribution.
* Flexible working: Options include alternative working patterns.
* Working hours: Flexibility around your working day.
* Where you work: Depending on your role, blended working may be available.
* Annual leave: 25 days pro rata (rising to 30 after 5 years) plus 8 public holidays.
* Family: Maternity, adoption or shared parental leave of up to 26 weeks with full pay.
* Learning and Development: Dstl encourages and supports charterships and provides access to fully funded apprenticeships.
* Facilities: Onsite parking, EV Charging points, restaurants, cafés and gyms.
* Pension: Alongside your salary, Dstl contributes a minimum towards your Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.
If at any stage of the application process you would like help or assistance please contact the Dstl Recruitment Team at dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk.
Sifting will take place week commencing the 22nd April 2025 with interviews to be arranged from the 12th May 2025.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check and meet the security requirements before they can be appointed.
Nationality requirements
Open to UK nationals only. This job is not open to candidates who hold dual nationality.
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition.
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found.
Contact point for applicants
Job Contact:
* Name: Dstl Recruitment Team
* Email: dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk
Recruitment team
* Email: dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk
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