Analytical Chemist (Higher Radiation Protection Scientist)

• Graduate level in chemistry or a related discipline
• Good experience in either chemical and/or radiochemical analysis, or instrumental analysis
• Experience of working in a strong quality-focussed environment
• Good MS Office skills, the ability to produce clear well-structured written material, and excellent communication skills (written and verbal)
• Ability to multitask whilst keeping to agreed deadlines, often working under pressure with competing priorities
• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.
• Current UK driving licence (or equivalent) and availability to work away from base occasionally

• Experience in contributing to development or application projects
• Good problem-solving skills and adaptability to rapidly changing demands

For roles where specific qualifications or registrations are required, successful applicants will be asked to provide appropriate evidence. Employment cannot commence until satisfactory documentation has been received and verified.

Future location

UKHSA is investing in a new state-of-the-art National Biosecurity Centre in Harlow, Essex, which will eventually bring together teams currently based at Canary Wharf, Colindale and Porton Down. For more details, please see: Huge biosecurity centre investment to boost pandemic protection - GOV.UK. The new facilities will start becoming operational in the mid-2030s, with full completion by 2038. Staff will move in phases as facilities become available. If you're appointed to a role currently based at Canary Wharf, Colindale or Porton Down, please note that we'll continue investing in these sites for the next decade. As we get closer to the transition, we'll provide full information about relocation support available to staff.

£28,547 - £40,731

per annum, pro rata

A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

Alongside your salary of £28,547, UK Health Security Agency contributes £8,270 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

• A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%

If you are successful at interview and are moving from another government department, NHS, or Local Authority, the relevant starting salary principles for level transfers or promotions will apply. Otherwise, roles are offered at the pay scale minimum for the grade, but in exceptional circumstances there may be flexibility if you are able to demonstrate you are already in receipt of an existing, higher salary. Pay increases are through the relevant annual pay award for the role and terms.

Executive Officer (EO)
• £28,547- £33,196 (National)

Higher Executive Officer (HEO)
• £33,422-£40,731 (National)

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity

Successful candidates must pass a basic disclosure and barring security check before they can be appointed.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is Counter-Terrorist Check.

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counter-terrorist 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.

Open to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including internal applicants).

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)

We are looking to recruit either a trainee radiochemist at radiation protection scientist (EO) grade or an experienced radiochemist at higher radiation protection scientist (HEO) grade. For those without experience in radiochemistry, a strong background in science and laboratory skills will be sufficient as we will provide full support through a structured training programme to reach HEO grade.

The Radiation Hazards and Emergencies Department (RHED) leads UKHSA's emergency response and preparedness function in case of radiation and nuclear emergencies. It also provides advice and support to external organisations and central Government on issues surrounding emergency response and countermeasures to be taken.

The Radiochemistry Group (RG) has a primary role to provide analytical measurements of environmental and biological samples to support emergency response advice, as well as providing commercial services to a broad range of customers. The work is performed under accredited systems (ISO 17025, ISO 14001).

• Undertake radiochemical analysis and/or instrumental analysis in support of current commercial contracts
• Project Manage defined programmes, or provide Deputy Project Manager support, for larger contracts. Manage defined areas of development projects within RG, Liaise with Team/Group Leaders and customers on the progress of these projects
• Prepare customer reports and communicate results to customers
• Contribute to development of testing protocols for both commercial and emergency samples
• Undertake other duties in support of UKHSA Glasgow's emergency response preparedness and commercial activities (e.g. environmental sample collection).
• Work with senior analysts to prepare new analytical protocols. Contribute to the accreditation process and staff training for new procedures as required
• Manage other staff within the team, if required.
• Ensure their work satisfies all applicable QA requirements
• Undertake broader corporate tasks as directed by the Group Leader and/or Head of Department

The postholders will develop working relationships and communicate regularly with a wide range of individuals, internal and external to UKHSA. This will include:

Main Duties

• The postholder will be responsible for undertaking laboratory-based analysis and/or instrumental analysis on environmental and industrial samples in support of RG's commercial contracts
• They will be assisting Project Managers either by leading on managing defined areas of large monitoring programmes or providing support as Deputy Project Manager for large commercial contracts, as directed by the Group Leader
• The postholder will also contribute to the development of new analytical protocols or other developmental work in support of RG's primary roles, undertaking developmental analysis under the direction of the project lead, introducing new working procedures and preparation of validation reports
• The postholder will be a Line Manager for some staff within the Team, if deemed necessary by the RG Group Leaders
• The postholder may also be asked to undertake more general corporate duties, in areas such as safety management, environmental management or radioactivity management

Please note this list is not exhaustive.

From time to time, the role holder may be required to support UKHSA's incident response activity by contributing their appropriate expertise within an Incident Cell; during such periods, supported by the line manager, this work will take priority over normal day-to-day responsibilities, commensurate with their grade, skills and experience.

Permanent
Loan
Secondment

Permanent

If this role is fixed term and you are not currently a Civil Servant, you will take up the post on a Fixed Term appointment; you may be able to take this role up as a Secondment. If you are an existing Civil Servant, based outside of UKHSA, you will take up the post as a loan which you will need your department to agree. Loans are normally agreed for a period of two years. However, this may be extended where required, subject to agreement between UKHSA and your home department. You cannot take the post up as a fixed term. If you are an existing UKHSA member of staff, you will take up the post as either a level transfer or a temporary promotion as per the UKHSA's Pay policy. If this role is permanent, it may also be available as a loan (for existing Civil Servants only) or secondment arrangement, subject to business need and agreement from the hiring manager and, where applicable, the employee's home organisation.

Flexible working, Full-time, Job share, Part-time

• An environment with flexible working options

Glasgow (Lab)

This role is being offered as lab based at our site in Glasgow. You will be required to have a Counter Terrorism Check security vetting check as a minimum. For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years as the role requires Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. In exceptional circumstances UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.

Please note hybrid working is not available for this role.

483919

Executive Officer
Higher Executive Officer

Science

1

• Line Manager (daily)
• Team Leader (daily)
• Group Leader (weekly)
• Administrative staff (weekly)
• Wider UKHSA staff (as required)
• Customers (weekly)
• Sample Suppliers (weekly)
• Instrument manufacturers (weekly)

Note: These reflect the expectations for an experienced radiochemist. For those recruited as trainee radiochemists the on-the-job training is matched to these core duties and responsibilities.

If you have spent more than 6 months abroad over the last 3 years you may need an International Police Check. This would not necessarily have to be in a single block,

and it could be time accrued over that period.

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