Job summary
These junior engineer or scientist posts are based in the Explosive Atmospheres Team, at HSE's Science and Research Centre based in Buxton. The team is largely focused on the safe development of new energy technologies and achieving safe net zero, primarily hydrogen for heat & transport. The team undertake large (outdoor) and lab scale experimental programmes, consultancy and deliver specialised training, giving opportunity for both practical and desk-based work. Several of the teams larger ongoing projects are high profile collaborations with other scientific organisations/government departments, which offers opportunity to publish work and present at conferences.
The work of the team is not limited to just energy. You will be contributing to a diverse range of projects within the health and safety sector and be involved in both HSE led research projects and work for commercial clients.�
As part of HSE, you may be required to provide scientific support to incident investigations, which in recent years have included dust explosions, electrostatic ignition sources and vapour cloud explosions. On occasion this will include working with HSE inspectors at the sites of industrial accidents, travelling across the UK. A typical incident investigation will involve taking and testing samples and contributing to an accurate report written in clear language - suitable for use in legal proceedings.
To view a short video of some of our test work, please follow this link:�
Part time working hours are available for this role. We can accept part time applicants who can commit to working a minimum of FTE Per week.
Job description
We are looking for someone with a relevant qualification who is looking to work, develop skills and gain experience in a creative scientific/engineering environment to join our team. You will be contributing to the design, build and delivery of in/outdoor scientific experiments. The scale of these experiments ranges from being lab based, to using 1:1 scale outdoor test facilities. You will be joining the Explosive Atmospheres team that is comprised of approx. 12 scientists and engineers of varying experience. As a member of the team, you will be expected to contribute to its effective running, which may include the maintenance of team facilities, quality systems, or health safety wellbeing matters, taking a role in calibrating equipment. You will have opportunity to develop competence in the following areas specific to team, such as DSEAR, Fluid Mechanics, Thermodynamics, Process Design (P&IDs), Process Instrumentation, Data Logging, or Combustion Physics. The role will involve a significant amount of problem solving and allow you expand your range of expertise.
We are aware the combination of practical research and theoretical knowledge in this area is relatively niche, so we are looking for team members who have an appropriate academic background and aptitude for this mixed practical and academic type of work, to develop their skills, whilst working alongside existing team members.
We sponsor our team members professional memberships and attendance at relevant CPD events.� For the right candidates, we may also support further academic study.
As this role has significant practical elements, it is expected that you will work primarily from the laboratory in Buxton.� At times this will include working outdoors in all weathers.
Person specification
Essential Skills and Criteria
1. Contribute to a range of projects that can be hazardous and complex, in a safe, scientifically robust way, that meets the required scope - following direction from colleagues and working to defined test plans, quality systems and risk assessments etc.
2. Work to high professional standards in science and engineering, including constructively challenging approaches and techniques
3. Write or contribute to, high quality, accurate scientific reports or papers that are suitable to be submitted to customers, journals or as evidence in legal proceedings.
4. Support the presentation of technical work to expert and non-expert audiences, which may include travel (on occasion international).
5. Communicate effectively with colleagues and customers both verbally and via email
6. Organise, plan and prioritise your calendar to meet deadlines and achieve goals
7. Work independently and as part of a team
8. Be proactive in pursuing own continuing professional development in line with business need.
Licences
Full driving license that permits driving within the UK. However, we are willing to consider any proposals put forward by applicants without a licence that would allow them to do the job by other means. If this applies, please answer yes to this question and provide further detail elsewhere.
Qualifications
Degree level qualification in a relevant subject aeronautical engineering, chemical engineering, mechanical engineering, physics, etc.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
9. Working Together
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
10. Understanding of fundamental aspects of flammability and explosive atmospheres flammable gasses or dusts
11. Health and Safety - Awareness of the hazards associated with flammable atmospheres, pressure systems and electrical equipment. Awareness of the risk assessment process.
12. Further discussion and understanding of the examples provided in your personal statement, and how they relate to aspects of the job role
Benefits
Alongside your salary of �30,167, Health and Safety Executive contributes �8,739 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
13. Learning and development tailored to your role
14. An environment with flexible working options
15. A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
We invest in our people with;�
16. Competitive rates of pay
17. Access to the highly competitive Civil Service Pension Scheme to which HSE contribute far more than in the private sector.
18. Family friendly policies and working hours to help balance your home life and career.
19. Carer friendly policies to help create a supportive working culture.
20. 25 days annual holiday increasing to 30 days after 5 years' service, plus bank holidays and 1-day Civil Service privilege leave.
21. Parental leave benefits.
22. As a member of HSE you will gain access to a wide range of fantastic benefits that you can take advantage of such as the Cycle to Work Scheme, E-Gift Cards and Vouchers via our partner EdenRed.