Principal Radiation Protection Scientist

NHS; England; Hybrid; GBP 58,000 - 69,000; Full time

Job summary

A public health organization is seeking a Principal Radiation Protection Scientist to lead research on optical radiation and improve public health protection. This role requires extensive knowledge in optical radiation assessments, the ability to manage complex scientific projects, and the preparation of scientific publications. The candidate must be ready to represent the organization at various levels and contribute to emergency response initiatives. The position offers hybrid working and requires a PhD in a relevant field.

Qualifications

• Post-doctoral experience in optical radiation dosimetry research.
• Extensive knowledge in public health protection matters related to optical radiation.
• Experience publishing scientific reports and papers.

Responsibilities

• Lead specialist research related to optical radiation exposure.
• Prepare and deliver scientific presentations at conferences.
• Contribute to emergency response activities.

Skills

Optical radiation assessments

Scientific project management

Data analysis software

Communication skills

Education

PhD in appropriate scientific discipline

Tools

Scientific data analysis software

Job description

Principal Radiation Protection Scientist

We are looking for a Principal Radiation Protection Scientist to lead on the Laser and Optical Radiation Dosimetry Group's research and advisory work, with the objective of improving knowledge and evidence-based public health protection for optical radiation exposures.

Main duties of the job

Main Duties and Responsibilities

The Principal Radiation Protection Scientist will have significant autonomy within their role as an expert on optical radiation exposures, standards and dosimetry, contributing to evaluation of complex information from a number of sources and communicating with professionals and scientists inside UKHSA and in outside organisations, including in other countries.

The Principal Radiation Protection Scientist role will involve contributions to these duties as may be considered appropriate from time to time, including specifically such areas as:

• Initiate, plan, lead and execute specialist research and advisory projects related to the assessment of exposure to optical radiation, including experimental dosimetry, managing the work of others as necessary.


• Develop advisory materials on exposure to optical radiation, e.g. on the UKHSA website, directed towards external stakeholders in government, industry and elsewhere.


• Prepare scientific review material for UKHSA publications, including consultancy input and secretariat support for advisory and other high-level committees, e.g. the Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment (COMARE).

About us

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.

Job responsibilities

• Prepare and disseminate advice in response to enquiries from public officials, members of the public, industry and other stakeholders.


• Assist the Group Leader in conducting general management duties, for example in carrying out health and safety risk assessments, quality assurance audits and preparing proposals for new business opportunities.


• Preparing authoritative scientific reports and papers for publication.


• Prepare and deliver scientific presentations at national and international conferences and for training courses. Represent UKHSA at local, national and international meetings.


• Provide support in UKHSA emergency response activities, typically at the level of operations support manager of one of the Directorates emergency cells.

Professional Development

• Identify, discuss and action own professional performance and training/development needs with your line manager through appraisal/individual development plan. Attending internal/external training events.


• Participate in all mandatory training as required, i.e. fire safety, information governance and all other mandatory training.

Key Working Relationships

The Principal Radiation Protection Scientist will develop working relationships and communicate regularly with a wide range of individuals, clinical and non-clinical, internal and external to UKHSA. This will include, subject to transition:

Internal

• Daily with Group Leader, Head of Department and other scientific and administrative staff throughout the Directorate.


• Frequently with the Directorate.


• Frequently with staff in other Departments in the Directorate (up to Heads of Department) including corporate function staff.


• Frequently with staff in Health Protection Operations.

External

• Customers and stakeholders for advice and research projects including Government Departments and Agencies, Devolved Administrations, commercial organisations, local authorities, NHS, advisory and professional bodies, training organisations. This includes staff up to Directorate level and from a variety of professional backgrounds. This may take place on client's premises with the post holder acting alone.


• Members of the public to answer queries in the post-holder's specialist area of expertise.


• Equipment suppliers and contractors delivering outsourced elements of projects.


• Regularly with national or international level contacts from a range of government, regulatory, UK and international technical standards bodies (e.g. IEC, CIE, BSI), academic, research or advisory organisations who have senior roles in radiation protection. The post holder may be required to be the sole representative of UKHSA or occasionally UK and thus will require a high degree of autonomy.

Occasional travel within the UK and overseas may be required. Some irregular and out of hours working may also be required.

The above is only an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. You will carry out any other duties as may reasonably be required by the Directorate.

The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis in accordance with the changing needs of the organisation.

• Qualification to PhD level in an appropriate scientific or public health/health protection discipline or equivalent experience.


• Post-doctoral experience sufficient to undertake optical radiation dosimetry research including ability to plan, initiate, design and manage all stages of research projects independently.


• Extensive knowledge in the field of optical radiation assessments and related public health protection matters.


• Experience in scientific project management and co-ordinating collaborative work with UKHSA and non-UKHSA participants.


• Extensive experience in publishing scientific reports and peer-reviewed papers.


• Experience in giving presentations at national/international scientific meetings and conferences.


• Ability to interpret and explain the relevance of empirical findings in a wider multidisciplinary context.


• Experience in planning and execution of complex scientific projects, identifying and managing risks appropriately.


• Comprehensive understanding of the health and safety aspects of running an experimental dosimetry laboratory.


• Broad knowledge of a wide range of Health protection/Public health related topics.


• Confident and proficient in use of scientific data analysis software.


• Working knowledge of Information Governance, i.e. freedom of information and data protection.


• Able to manipulate equipment and perform experiments in the laboratories and field surveys.


• Able to operate a DSE workstation.


• Able to load/unload measurement equipment from the vehicle when performing surveys.


• Current full UK driving license and ability to drive vehicles to off-site locations.


• An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.


• An understanding of risk management in the context of health and safety legislation.


• Knowledge of QA procedures and audits.


• Training/experience in emergency response.

Application & Sift

This vacancy is using Competency.

At sift stage you will be assessed against the (17) Essential Criteria listed in the job advert.

You will be required to complete an:

• Application form (Employer/ Activity history section on the application)


• Up to a 1,000-word supporting statement

Healthjobs UK has a word limit of 1,500 but your supporting statement must be no more than insert word count 1,000 words.

This should outline how your skills, experience, and knowledge, provide evidence of your suitability for the role.

The Application form and supporting statement will be marked together.

The application form is the kind of information you would put into your CV please be advised you will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible.

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

• Meets all essential criteria


• Meets some essential criteria

We will take through 'Meets all essential criteria' and 'Meets some essential criteria'.

Shortlisting

In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist against the lead criteria as follows:

• Extensive knowledge in the field of optical radiation assessments and related public health protection matters.


• Experience in scientific project management and co-ordinating collaborative work with UKHSA and non-UKHSA participants.


• Extensive experience in publishing scientific reports and peer-reviewed papers.


• Ability to interpret and explain the relevance of empirical findings in a wider multidisciplinary context.

Please note feedback will not be provided at this stage.

Interview

You will be invited to a face to face interview.

In exceptional circumstances, we may be able to offer a remote interview.

This vacancy is being assessed using Competency. During the interview we will assess you against the below:

• Knowledge


• Experience


• Skills and Abilities

You will be asked to prepare and present a 510 minute presentation. The subject of this will be:

• Optical Radiation and Public Health

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

Eligibility Criteria

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

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.

Location

This role is being offered as hybrid working based at Chilton Scientific Campus, Chilton, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0QX.

We offer great flexible working opportunities at UKHSA and operate using a hybrid working model where business needs allow. This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work, to get the best from our workforce. As a hybrid worker, you will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of your contractual working hours (approximately 3 days a week pro rata, (averaged over a month) working at our Chilton scientific campus.

If based at one of our scientific campuses, you will be required to have a minimum of a Counter Terrorism Check security vetting check as a minimum.

Security Clearance Level Requirement

All successful candidates must meet the basic security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is:

• Basic Personnel Security Standard (BPSS)

DBS Requirement:

• Basic DBS

For this role you will also need to meet:

• Counter Terrorism Check (CTC)

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 vettingand applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice.

Person Specification

• Application form and supporting statement


• Knowledge, Experience, Skills and Abilities

Presentation

• Optical Radiation and Public Health

Disclosure and Barring Service Check

This post is subject to the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (Exceptions Order) 1975 and as such it will be necessary for a submission for Disclosure to be made to the Disclosure and Barring Service (formerly known as CRB) to check for any previous criminal convictions.

£58,340 to £68,574 a yearPer annum, pro rata

Contract

Permanent

Working pattern

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