Higher Radiation Protection Scientist

UK Health Security Agency

Apply before 11:55 pm on Saturday 25th February 2023

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Details

Reference number

263863

Salary

£31,070 - £37,829

Job grade

Higher Executive Officer

Contract type

Permanent

Type of role

Science

Working pattern

Full-time

Location

Didcot

About the job

Job summary

The Radiation Dosimetry Department provides authoritative public health information and advice about exposures to lasers and optical radiation, electromagnetic fields, and ionising radiation used for medical diagnostic imaging. In addition, the department provides the secretariat to the Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment (COMARE).

The work of the Department encompasses the provision and maintenance of calibration facilities, research programmes of physical measurement and theoretical dosimetry, health hazard exposure assessments, and the development of standards. It includes the provision of training courses, and liaison and collaborative input to national and international bodies concerned with setting and promulgating standards for protection.

The Electromagnetic Fields Dosimetry (EMFD) Group's role is to assess exposure characteristics of emerging and established EMF technologies, including mobiles phones, base stations and power lines.

The group acts as the national contact point for UKHSA’s advice on the public health aspects of exposures to electromagnetic fields; input to regulations; research on health impacts and environmental monitoring of exposures to electromagnetic fields; training and input to the international and national guidance and standards on exposure to electromagnetic fields; development of methodology of public and occupational exposure assessments, and measurement infrastructure; support to the electromagnetic field capabilities of the RCE Operational Services Department.

Job description

The post holder will contribute to the provision of highly specialised scientific services, and scientific research and development work. This will include:

Experimental assessment of exposure from sources of electromagnetic fields using specialised scientific equipment. This may be in the laboratory or off site.
Technical, computing and analytical work underpinning the assessment of exposure of people to electromagnetic fields.
Developing methodologies and instrumentation for the assessment of exposure to electromagnetic fields.
Contributing to externally funded research and services work, including lectures and other support with training courses.
Working within a project management framework, agreeing and respecting allocated budgets, managing risks and maintaining quality standards.
Participation in the UKHSA response to radiological emergencies, in accordance with the roles described in the RCE Emergency Plan. These roles will include carrying out environmental sampling and measurements as part of an emergency monitoring team, and laboratory analysis of samples.

The work requires a wide range of developed skills building on solid practical and theoretical foundations from physics or electrical engineering. A general awareness of wider public health disciplines including biology and epidemiology is also required.

The post holder will plan and carry out a range of scientific duties, including:

Laboratory work and scientific functions. These will involve physics, mathematical modelling, biology, epidemiology, laboratory work, and engineering as appropriate.
The assessment of exposure to EMF by means of measurement and calculation for a range of exposure sources and situations.
The assessment of exposure from EMF sources and facilities on the premises of customers, and the writing of technical reports incorporating the results of any measurements, recommendations for safe working etc.
Routine maintenance checks on specialised laboratory facilities, and confirmation of the satisfactory operation of safety and warning systems.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

Educated to degree level in a physical science or electrical/electronic engineering discipline, or equivalent level of experience working at a similar level in specialist area
Experience of electromagnetic field (EMF) sources and applications
Understanding and ability to apply electromagnetic theory
Ability to carry out specialised work tasks in support of scientific projects and make technical decisions to resolve complex equipment or process problems
Strong mathematical/statistical and analytical skills to use existing computational models and ability to write new codes
Confident in use of Microsoft office packages, especially Word and Excel
Ability to communicate effectively, formally, informally, orally and in writing (including presentation of scientific work) to colleagues, customers, and representatives from other organisations
Technical competence in performing measurements coupled with good numeracy skills
Ability to observe and question to gather information and sift it to disregard the irrelevant and identify key issues
Ability to assess complex situations and interpret detailed documents that may include legislation
Capable of working accurately and consistently in setting up equipment and in making complex measurements
Ability to analyse and interpret information, pre-empt and evaluate issues, and recommend appropriate courses of action to address the issues
Problem solving skills, strategic thinking and ability to respond to sudden unexpected demands
Attention to detail combined with the ability to extract key messages from complex analysis
Ability to work well under pressure and to deadlines; also able to prioritise the workload
Excellent organisational skills
Ability to work largely unsupervised
Ability to remain focussed on a task and concentrate on the matter in hand (e.g. when carrying out detailed measurement protocols).
Good time management and ability to work to tight deadlines
Ability to ‘think on feet’
Ability to work on own initiative and organise own workload without supervision working to tight and often changing timescales
Adaptability, flexibility and ability to cope with uncertainty and change
Able to manipulate equipment and perform experiments in the EMF laboratory.
Able to operate a DSE workstation.
Able to load/unload measurement equipment from vehicles when performing surveys.
Current full UK driving licence and ability to drive vehicles to off-site locations.
An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.

Benefits

Learning and development tailored to your role
An environment with flexible working options
A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy will be assessed using a competency- based framework which will assess your technical skills, knowledge, experience, capabilities and qualifications, against those outlined in the essential criteria and job description AND main duties/responsibilities.

You will also be asked to provide information within the ‘Employer/ Activity history’ section of the application form. This is equivalent to the information you would provide on a CV, setting out your career history. This will be used in sifting process and will be scored.

Stage 1: Application & Sift

As part of the application process, you will be asked to provide a detailed Personal Statement of no more than a 1000 words. This should outline how you consider your skills, knowledge and experience meet the essential criteria and main duties; providing evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the essential criteria outlined.

Applicants are strongly advised to use the essential criteria as sub-headings in the application to make it clear how you meet each of the essential criteria.

Stage 2: Panel Interview

All candidates who are successful at the sift stage will progress to an in-person interview and will be assessed on the essential criteria as advertised.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

UK nationals
nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
nationals of the Republic of Ireland
nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals

Further information on nationality requirements

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, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles.

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.

Apply and further information

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative.

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment.

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

Name : Zoe Farran
Email : uksha.recruitment@reed.com

Recruitment team :

Email : uksha.recruitment@reed.com