Job Description

Details

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Reference number

411717
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Salary

64,403 - 66,415
Per annum, pro rata
A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
GBP
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Job grade

Other
Grade 7 Upper###

Contract type

Permanent###

Type of role

Science###

Working pattern

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

Number of jobs available

1

Contents

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Location About the job Benefits Things you need to know Apply and further information

Location

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Didcot, South East England, OX11 0RQ

About the job

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Job summary

The Laser and Optical Radiation Dosimetry Group Leader is responsible for leadership, management and operation of the Group, which is part of the Radiation Dosimetry Department within UKHSA's Radiation, Chemical, Climate and Environmental Hazards Directorate.


The post holder will have relevant specialist experience on the health effects of exposure to optical radiation, acting as a point of authoritative advice. They will manage the transfer of responsibility for the management of a group that plans, designs and executes complex scientific research projects on exposures to optical radiation. The group leader post will not only support but also will include writing scientific papers and reports, giving scientific presentations (including at international forums), representing UKHSA or UK interests at scientific meetings and committees, the provision of training and drafting of UKHSA advice. As such, the post will involve contributions to these duties as may be considered appropriate from time to time, including specifically such areas as:

Provide scientific direction and be a focal point for specialist scientific knowledge on exposures to optical radiation in the Radiation Dosimetry Department. Oversee and undertake the management of both contract and non-contract projects on exposures to optical radiation. Direct and manage work on the development, maintenance and application of laboratories and equipment for the assessment of exposures to optical radiation. ###

Job description

Your key responsibilities will include to:

Lead and manage the Laser and Optical Radiation Dosimetry Group - staff, research, services, strategic and scientific direction and work programme (including income generating activities). Provide expert advice within RCCE and to government departments in England, Scotland and Wales on exposures to optical radiation and their implications for public health. This includes supporting colleagues working with expert advisory committees, such as the Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment, when they are working on optical radiation. Work collaboratively across RCCE to build scientific capability and to develop income streams from providing research and technical services in relation to exposures to optical radiation. Have significant autonomy within their specialist areas of expertise. Possess skills and experience to lead or advise specialised teams on potentially novel and complex projects for which there is no precedent and where there is a need for adaptive and creative thought. Occasionally travel, within the UK and overseas may be required. Some irregular and out of hours working may be required.

The duties/responsibilities listed above describe the post as it is at present and is not intended to be exhaustive. The Job holder is expected to accept reasonable alterations and additional tasks of a similar level that may be necessary.

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Person specification

Essential criteria

Qualification to PhD level in an appropriate scientific or public health / health protection discipline (e.g. Physics, Biology) or equivalent extensive experience in optical radiation dosimetry research Post-doctoral or similar experience sufficient to undertake all aspects of research or health protection projects with significant autonomy Extensive knowledge in the field of laser and optical radiation dosimetry and related health protection matters including ability to plan, initiate, design and manage all stages of research projects independently Excellent understanding of optical radiation exposures and protection, and with wider protection issues and the work of UKHSA Project management training and experience of managing scientific or similar projects with a number of internal and external collaborators within own area of expertise Experience in writing scientific papers for peer reviewed journals and presenting research findings at national/international scientific conferences with large audiences Proven experience of managing and motivating scientific staff underpinned by management training e.g. supervisory skills, time management Strong negotiation and influencing skills applied to a range of scientific, business and management tasks Strong skills in numerical and/or information analysis, problem solving and developing novel solutions for scientific, business and management problems Ability to produce clear well-structured written or presentational material for different audiences, including scientific, government departments and decision makers, and the general public, using various media e.g. reports, business proposals, digital platforms, peer-reviewed papers, briefings and correspondence

Benefits

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Alongside your salary of 64,403, UK Health Security Agency contributes 18,657 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.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 employer contribution of 28.97%

Things you need to know

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Selection process details

This vacancy will be assessed using a competency-based framework which will assess your knowledge and experience, and/or skills and abilities outlined in the essential criteria.


You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the 10 essential criteria listed, and this will be in the form of a:

Application form ('Employer/ Activity history' section on the application) 1000-word Statement of Suitability

This should outline how you consider your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.


The Application form and Statement of Suitability will be marked together.

Longlisting

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In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:

Meets all essential criteria Meets some essential criteria Meets no essential criteria

Piles Meets all essential criteria will be moved through to the shortlisting stage.

Shortlisting:

In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on:

Extensive knowledge in the field of laser and optical radiation dosimetry and related health protection matters including ability to plan, initiate, design and manage all stages of research projects independently

Please do not exceed

1000 words.

We will not consider any words over and above this number. If you are successful at this stage, you will progress to an interview. Unfortunately, late applications will not be considered.


Please note you will not be able to upload your CV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email us your CV.


Feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Stage 2: Interview (competency based)

You will be invited to a (single) face to face interview. If face to face interviews are planned, in exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.


Knowledge, experience, skills & abilities will be tested at interview.


There will be a 10-minute Presentation at interview, full details will be provided at the shortlisting stage.


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

Location

This role is being offered as office/lab based at our Scientific Campus in Chilton.


If based at one of our scientific campuses, 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.

Eligibility Criteria

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

Reasonable Adjustments

The Civil Service is committed to making sure that our selection methods are fair to everyone.


To help you during the recruitment process, we will consider any reasonable adjustments that could help you.


An adjustment is a change to the recruitment process or an adjustment at work.


This is separate to the Disability Confident Scheme.


If you need an adjustment to be made at any point during the recruitment process you should:


Contact the recruitment team in confidence as soon as possible to discuss your needs.


You can find out more information about reasonable adjustments across the Civil Service here: https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/reasonable-adjustments/

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Your application may be rejected and/or you may be subject to disciplinary action if evidence of plagiarism is detected. Examples of plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others, or generated by artificial intelligence (AI), as your own.

Organisation info

We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.


UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.


Please visit our careers site for more information https://gov.uk/ukhsa/careers

Internal Fraud check

If successful for this role as one aspect of pre-employment screening, applicant's personal details - name, national insurance number and date of birth - will be checked against the Cabinet Office Internal Fraud Hub and anyone included on the database will be refused employment unless they can show exceptional circumstances. Currently this is only for External candidates to the Civil Service.

International Police check:

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.

Security Clearance Level Requirement

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.



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

Security

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



See our vetting charter .
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.###

Medical

Successful candidates will be expected to have a medical.###

Nationality requirements

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) 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
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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.###

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy .

Apply and further information

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The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).
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

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Job contact :

Name : Harry McCullagh Email : harry.mccullagh@ukhsa.gov.uk
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Recruitment team

Email : recruitment@ukhsa.gov.uk ###

Further information

Complaints@ukhsa.gov.uk If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department, you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/