Principle Scientist - Threat Mitigation Technologies

ZipRecruiter; City Of London; On-site; GBP 90,000 - 97,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading public safety agency is seeking a Principle Scientist to lead the Threat Mitigation Technologies team. This role involves providing scientific advice on detection methods, managing budgets, and leading new technology trials. The ideal candidate will have a relevant scientific degree and significant experience in operational science. Join us to make an impact in public safety with innovative scientific solutions.

Qualifications

• Proven experience in operational science or a related field.
• Ability to lead scientific and technical teams.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide scientific advice for threat detection.
• Lead technical development projects.
• Manage capital budgets for scientific initiatives.

Skills

Scientific analysis

Technical leadership

Budget management

Education

Relevant scientific degree

Job description

Overview

Principle Scientist - Threat Mitigation Technologies

Location: Lambeth, Southwark

Salary: The starting salary is £90,336, which includes allowances totalling £2,928. The salary is broken down as £87,408 basic salary, which will increase annually until you reach the top of the scale £96,341. Plus, a location allowance of £1,928 and a non-pensionable allowance of £1,000.

We’re currently looking for a Principle Scientist to lead the Metropolitan Police Service’s (MPS) collaborative Operational Science and Capability Development team, and deliver a complex and varied programme of technical work. Focused on Threat Mitigation Technologies (TMT), the purpose of this ambitious programme is to ensure that the range of scientific and engineering technologies we use remains fit for purpose as the terrorist threat evolves.

Responsibilities

• Providing scientific advice to operational units regarding threat materials and the available methods for detection, identification and monitoring
• Acting as the technical authority for a range of scientific counter terrorism capabilities
• Providing scientific and technical leadership across TMT’s various functions
• Supporting the continuous professional development of TMT personnel
• Planning and oversight of scientific trials and testing protocols
• Developing and implementing bespoke solutions to complex scientific and engineering problems
• Providing an operational testing capability for new technologies
• Managing significant capital budgets

Organisational relationships

• Act as the strategic interface between police customers and TMT’s staff
• Act as Technical Authority for the MPS’s explosives detection capabilities
• Represent TMT within the MPS on policy forming and other groups related to the business of the department
• Represent the MPS nationally and internationally at meetings, conferences and policy forming groups as technical lead and subject-matter expert
• Create working relationships with other government agencies with similar requirements
• Lead the MPS’s effort when carrying out collaborative work
• Direct large technical development projects on behalf of the UK Government community of departments and agencies with similar operational requirements
• Be responsible for seeing that strategic health and safety requirements are met for scientific trials

How to apply

To begin your career at the Met, please click the "apply now" button below. The application process requires a comprehensive CV, a Personal Statement, and an online application form. In your Personal Statement, you should explain your interest in the position and illustrate how your skills and experiences make you a suitable candidate. Please note that you should not submit two copies of your CV, and ensure that your documents are saved in either PDF or Word format, clearly labelled as CV and/or Personal Statement.

Completed applications must be submitted by 23:55 on 10 September 2025.

Once received, your application will be reviewed against eligibility criteria, and then by the hiring manager. The application review for this vacancy will commence 2 weeks after the closing date. Following application review, successful candidates will be invited to interview. Interview dates will commence 6 weeks after the hiring manager’s review depending on panel availability.

Equality and inclusion

The Met is committed to being an equitable (fair and impartial) and inclusive employer for disabled people, striving to have a diverse and representative workforce at all levels. We encourage applications from people from the widest possible range of backgrounds, cultures and experiences. We particularly welcome applications from people with disabilities and long-term conditions, minority groups, and women.

As a Confident employer, the Met has committed to making equality part of our everyday practice. We ensure that people with disabilities and those with long term conditions have the opportunities to fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations.

The Met is committed to making reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process to ensure disabled applicants can perform at their best. If you need any reasonable adjustments or changes to the application and recruitment process, we ask that you include this information within your application form. All matters will be treated in strict confidence.