Assistant Scientist

Babcock Mission Critical Services España SA.; Plymouth; On-site; GBP 25,000 - 35,000; Full time

Job summary

A prominent defense and engineering company is seeking an Assistant Scientist at Devonport Royal Dockyard. This role involves conducting chemical analyses onboard Royal Navy vessels, ensuring compliance with safety regulations, and supporting naval operations. The ideal candidate will have a Level 3 qualification in a scientific discipline and relevant experience in engineering or chemistry. The position offers full-time hours and a competitive benefits package.

Benefits

Matched contribution pension scheme

Access to Digital GP and health consultations

Employee share scheme

10-days special paid leave for reservists

Holiday Trading benefits

‘Be Kind Day’ for volunteering

Development opportunities and employee assistance programme

Qualifications

• Experience in engineering, chemistry, or related technical fields.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate across teams.
• Proficient with standard software for data entry, reporting, and communication.

Responsibilities

• Conduct chemical analysis and testing onboard Royal Navy warships.
• Ensure laboratory compliance with ISO/IEC 17025 standards.
• Sample compressed air systems to support operational safety.

Skills

Engineering experience

Chemistry knowledge

Data entry proficiency

Interpersonal skills

Physical fitness

Education

Level 3 qualification in a scientific or engineering discipline

Job description

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Location:

Devonport, Plymouth, GB, PL2 2BG

Onsite or Hybrid:

Job Title: Assistant Scientist

Role Type: Full time / Permanent

Role ID: SF66656

At Babcock we’re working to create a safe and secure world, together, and if you join us, you can play your part as an Assistant Scientist at our Devonport Royal Dockyard site.

The role

As an Assistant Scientist, you’ll have a role that’s out of the ordinary. Join the Chemistry Department at Devonport Royal Dockyard, delivering essential scientific services that ensure safety, compliance, and operational readiness across all naval departments and vessels.

Day to day you’ll be conducting chemical analysis and testing onboard Royal Navy warships and submarines and also allow us to maintain the high standards required in a UKAS accredited laboratory by:

• Ensure laboratory compliance with ISO/IEC 17025, maintaining quality and technical standards
• Sample compressed air systems (low/high pressure) to support operational safety
• Perform FTIR analysis of breathing air to meet BS EN 12021 health and safety specifications
• Conducting asbestos analysis with P401 and P403 qualifications for accurate detection.

This role is full time, 35 hours per week and is based on site at Devonport Royal Dockyard. Occasional weekend work may be required to meet project demands or support critical milestones.

Essential experience of the Assistant Scientist

• Experience in engineering, chemistry, or related technical fields is highly desirable
• Proficient with standard software for data entry, reporting, and communication
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to collaborate across teams and convey technical information clearly
• Demonstrates initiative and can efficiently prioritize tasks in a dynamic, fast-paced environment
• Able to meet the physical demands of the role, including regular work onboard vessels for maintenance duties’

Qualifications for the Assistant Scientist

• Level 3 qualification in a scientific or engineering discipline essential
• Full UK Driving Licence required
• All training, including relevant asbestos qualifications will be provided
• There will be opportunity for the candidate to be sponsored through relevant further education to enable progression towards a Scientist grade role.

Security Clearance

The successful candidate must be able to achieve and maintain Security Check (SC) security clearance for this role.

Many of the positions within our company are subject to national security clearance and Trade Control restrictions. This means that your eligibility for certain roles may be affected by your place of birth, nationality, current or former citizenship, and any residency you hold or have held. Further details are available at United Kingdom Security Vetting: clearance levels - GOV.UK (www.gov.uk) .

What we offer

• Matched contribution pension scheme, with life assurance
• Access to a Digital GP, annual health check, and nutritional consultations through Aviva DigiCare+
• Employee share scheme
• Employee shopping savings portal
• Payment of Professional Fees
• Reservists in the armed forces receive 10-days special paid leave
• Holiday Trading is a benefit that allows UK Babcock employees to buy additional leave or to sell up to one working week of annual leave from their annual entitlement. This Window opens February through to March annually.
• ‘Be Kind Day’ enables employees to take one working day's paid leave a year (or equivalent hours) to undertake volunteering work with their chosen organisation or registered charity
• Excellent development opportunities and benefits package including an employee assistance programme supporting physical, mental and financial wellbeing.

Babcock International

For over a century Babcock has helped to defend nations, protect communities and build a better world. To continue, we must adapt, advance and be a sustainable business with a shared goal.

We are a disability confident committed employer. If you have a disability or need any reasonable adjustments during the application and selection stages, please email [e-mail] with the subject header ‘Reasonable adjustments requirement’. We’re committed to building an inclusive culture where everyone’s free to thrive. We are happy to talk about flexible working – please ask about alternative patterns of work at interview.

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