scientist

Smiths Detection Inc; Hemel Hempstead; On-site; GBP 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

Smiths Detection is seeking a Senior Scientist to join the Innovation Team. The role focuses on early-stage research, technology assessment, prototype evaluation and scientific innovation to shape next‑gen detection products.

You will influence technology direction at the intersection of science, engineering, and security. The position requires leadership capabilities, commercial awareness, and the ability to work with external collaborators, with travel to Salisbury in the short term and

Qualifications

• Experience leading scientific investigations or research activities.
• Strong experimental design and problem solving skills.
• Experience developing, modifying, troubleshooting or evaluating scientific instrumentation.
• Advanced data analysis and interpretation capability.
• Experience delivering technical recommendations to senior stakeholders.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to work independently from high level objectives and define the scientific approach required.
• Track record of identifying opportunities and driving technical progress.

Responsibilities

• Leading scientific work packages and research activities within the Innovation portfolio.
• Designing and executing experiments to answer complex technical questions.
• Developing and evaluating novel detection technologies and concepts.
• Assessing viability and potential applications of emerging technologies.
• Supporting prototype development and technology demonstrators.
• Leading root-cause investigations and scientific problem solving activities.
• Analysing, modelling and interpreting complex datasets.
• Producing high-quality technical reports, presentations and recommendations.
• Presenting findings and influencing decision making with stakeholders.
• Engaging with external collaborators including research organisations, universities and partners.
• Supporting technology transfer as projects mature into product development.
• Representing Smiths Detection at conferences and customer engagements.

Skills

Leadership

Experimental design

Data analysis

Scientific communication

Education

PhD in Chemistry/Physics or related

Job description

As a Senior Scientist within our Innovation Team, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of chemical, explosives and narcotics detection technologies. Unlike traditional product support roles, this position focuses on early-stage research, technology assessment, prototype evaluation and scientific innovation. You'll help determine which technologies have the potential to become the next generation of Smiths Detection products, working at the intersection of science, engineering and security. This is an opportunity for a technically strong scientist with leadership capability, commercial awareness and scientific curiosity to influence future technology direction and work on some of the most challenging detection problems in the industry.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading scientific work packages and research activities within the Innovation portfolio
• Designing and executing experiments to answer complex technical questions
• Developing and evaluating novel detection technologies and concepts
• Assessing the viability, performance and potential application of emerging technologies
• Supporting prototype development and technology demonstrators
• Leading root-cause investigations and scientific problem solving activities
• Analysing, modelling and interpreting complex datasets
• Producing high-quality technical reports, presentations and recommendations
• Presenting findings and influencing decision‑making with technical and non‑technical stakeholders
• Engaging with external collaborators including research organisations, universities, government bodies and technology partners
• Supporting technology transfer activities as innovation projects mature into product development programmes
• Representing Smiths Detection at scientific conferences, customer engagements and industry events

In the short term, you will also provide support to strategic development programmes, requiring regular travel to Salisbury and collaboration with external stakeholders.

What the successful candidate will do:

• Take a broad technical challenge and define the right scientific path forward
• Quickly understand unfamiliar technologies and evaluate their potential
• Lead and influence technical activities without requiring close supervision
• Communicate complex scientific concepts to a range of audiences
• Act as a trusted representative of Smiths Detection with customers, partners and collaborators
• Balance hands‑on laboratory work with strategic scientific thinking
• We're looking for someone who combines the curiosity of a researcher, the practicality of an engineer and the credibility of a technical leader.

Please note: Due to the nature of the work, applicants must be eligible to obtain and maintain Security Clearance (SC) and meet UK FiveEyes security requirements.

Required experience

• Experience leading scientific investigations or research activities
• Strong experimental design and problem‑solving skills
• Experience developing, modifying, troubleshooting or evaluating scientific instrumentation
• Advanced data analysis and interpretation capability
• Experience delivering technical recommendations to senior stakeholders
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• The ability to work independently from high‑level objectives and define the scientific approach required
• A track record of identifying opportunities, challenging assumptions and driving technical progress

Preferred experience

We are particularly interested in candidates with experience in one or more of the following:

• Ion Mobility Spectrometry (IMS)
• Mass Spectrometry
• Raman Spectroscopy
• X-ray technologies
• Analytical chemistry instrumentation
• Instrument development and integration
• Detection technologies
• Scientific research and development environments
• Defence, security, forensics or detection markets
• Prototype development and proof‑of‑concept activities
• New product development and innovation programmes

Direct IMS experience would be highly advantageous; however we are equally interested in candidates who have demonstrated success in learning and applying new analytical technologies quickly.

Qualifications

A PhD in Chemistry, Physics or a related scientific discipline

Every minute of every day, Smiths Detection's threat detection and security screening technology helps to protect people and infrastructure, making the world a safer place.

Smiths Detection is a global leader in the development, manufacture and management of security and detection solutions designed to make the world a safer place. Our technology provides threat detection and screening solutions for customers in our key markets: aviation, ports and borders, defence, and urban security. Our expertise spans 21 global offices, seven manufacturing sites and five R&D centres, with a global network of 3,000 dedicated colleagues contributing towards over 40 years at the frontline of advances in safety and security. This results in careers built on variety and the opportunity to work on a range of state‑of‑the‑art solutions, where you can develop your knowledge and experience every day.

Join us and we'll help build your career, with excellent training and opportunities for career growth across the business, both locally and globally. You'll experience an inclusive environment, with strong leadership and a focus on safety and wellbeing. You'll also have the flexibility to choose from a wide range of benefits to suit your lifestyle, offering you and your family support from a health and wellbeing, financial and lifestyle perspective. Join us and work for a world‑leader, with the benefits and training to reward your dedication and skills. Be part of a team where we are making the world a safer place. We believe that different perspectives and backgrounds are what make a company flourish.

All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment regardless of color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, economic status, disability, age, or any other legally protected characteristics.

We are proud to be an inclusive company with values grounded in equality and ethics, where we celebrate, support, and embrace diversity.