Sustaining Scientist: Detection Systems & Data Insight

Smiths Detection; Hemel Hempstead; On-site; GBP 50,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

Smiths Detection in Hemel Hempstead is seeking a Sustaining Scientist to join our Portfolio Team, supporting and enhancing market-leading chemical, explosives and narcotics detection systems used across aviation and critical infrastructure.

You will design and execute experiments, analyze complex datasets, contribute to algorithm development and provide scientific expertise to product managers, engineers and regulators.

Qualifications

• Experience planning and conducting experimental investigations.
• Strong data analysis and interpretation skills.
• Experience with analytical instrumentation in a laboratory.
• Ability to design experiments from a high-level problem statement.
• Excellent technical report writing and presentation skills.
• Strong communication skills for scientific and non-scientific audiences.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute experiments to investigate product performance and solve technical challenges.
• Analyze complex datasets and translate findings into actionable recommendations.
• Support introduction of new capabilities and detection requirements into existing products.
• Contribute to algorithm development and performance optimisation.
• Provide scientific expertise to Product Managers, engineers, customers and regulators.
• Produce clear technical reports, presentations and documentation.
• Investigate product issues and identify root causes through structured experiments.

Skills

Experimental design

Data analysis

Analytical instrumentation

Technical report writing

Communication

Education

PhD in Chemistry or Physics

Master’s with industrial experience

Tools

Ion Mobility Spectrometry

Mass Spectrometry

Spectroscopy

Job description

Smiths Detection in Hemel Hempstead is seeking a Sustaining Scientist to join our Portfolio Team, supporting and enhancing market-leading chemical, explosives and narcotics detection systems used across aviation and critical infrastructure.

You will design and execute experiments, analyze complex datasets, contribute to algorithm development and provide scientific expertise to product managers, engineers and regulators.