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Threat Detection Physicist

Employer
Dstl
Location
Porton Down, Salisbury
Salary
£30,500 - £36,000 DOE
Closing date
11 Jan 2019

View more

Clearance Level
DV, SC, None / Undisclosed
Sector
Central Government, Scientific
Job Type
Permanent

Job Details

Are you passionate about using your physics expertise to benefit the UK’s defence and security?

At Dstl we deliver high-impact science and technology for the UK’s defence, security and prosperity. We have an opportunity for technical leaders to guide and develop our operational and innovative research into the non-invasive detection of threats for aviation security and high footfall screening. Working as a valued member of the Contraband and Threat Detection team you will apply your knowledge of X-ray and stand-off screening to providing advice to government departments to help protect the UK from current and future terrorist and security threats.


We are looking for someone who has:

- A good physics background with experience of image analysis and statistics
- An understanding of non-invasive detection technologies
- Experience of leading technical tasks
- The ability to build and maintain networks across government customers, industry, academia and international partners
- A real passion for training and developing others including those from other technical areas.

In this role you will:

- Lead work packages to evaluate and develop non-invasive detection systems
- Work with manufacturer’s to develop future threat detection systems
- Conduct trials to test new systems
- Provide advice to decision makers in the Home Office and Department for Transport
- Collaborate across the wider organisation to deliver projects
- Develop junior members of staff to improve the capability
- Identify disruptive technologies and innovation opportunities that will benefit defence and security.

Challenges:
- Occasional requirement to meet stringent customer requirements and tight project deadlines
- Regular travel is required to our Sandridge site and trials facilities with the opportunity for occasional international travel
- Effective working with a diverse range of partners.

Job dimensions:

You will work with technical specialists across the Counter Terrorism and Security Division. You will be a technical leader of project teams but will not have line management or budgetary responsibilities. We'll support you with a Team Leader who will help you develop your career in Dstl.

Key performance indicators:
- Project deliverables have notable impact on the research programme and customer requirements
- Advice to stakeholders is valued and leads to tangible benefits for the end user
- Project work completed to time, cost and technical quality
- Maintain excellent relationships with other teams
- Developing, mentoring and coaching of other team members.

Working conditions:

Based at Dstl PTN with significant travel to Dstl Sandridge and other trials sites. This could be a mix of office based research and offsite trials or lab work.

Knowledge, skills and experience required:
Essential
- Consistent record of leading your own work and that of others
- Strong physics background
- Experience of applying image analysis techniques and tools
- Experience of non-invasive sensing techniques e.g. X-ray, millimetre wave
- Effective written and verbal communication to a variety of internal and external audiences
- Building and maintaining effective relationships.

Desirable
- Experience of conducting trials work
- Experience of using statistics to ensure robust experimental plans
- Experience of programming e.g. MATLAB, Python
- Experience of working in multi-disciplinary teams to successfully deliver work.

Personal qualities:
- Enjoys working as part of a team and building relationships
- Ability to challenge and influence
- Ability to drive through to conclusion

Security Clearance:  This is a RESERVED position and requires full UK Security Clearance.  Candidates should have resided in the UK for the past 5 years. Dual Nationals cannot be considered for these roles

Company

The Defence, Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) is an executive agency of the Ministry of Defence. We bring together the top minds in government, industry and academia to keep our armed forces and the UK safe.

Our values are at the heart everything we do: we are innovative, collaborative and impactful.

There’s a lot more to us than white lab coats.

We also have cyber labs, wargaming teams, engineering workshops, trial areas and collaborative working spaces. Of course, we do have science labs too. We need them to do the vital research and sensitive project work that simply can’t be done anywhere else – and we are hiring!

At Dstl, you can learn and grow within one of our divisions (or experience multiple) with opportunities available within:

  • Cyber and Information Systems,
  • Platform Systems,
  • Exploration,
  • Counter-terrorism and Security,
  • Chemical, Biological and Radiological or
  • within one of our enabling divisions.

Interesting fact…not all of our employees have PHDs, Masters, or Degrees because we equally value experience and the right mindset. So, if you don’t have higher level qualifications we welcome your application and if you want to, we can help you to obtain qualifications to advance your career even more.

Already have the qualifications? We want to hear from you too!

As well as our on-going recruitment for experienced hires, our emerging talent recruitment calendar happens every year.  Our emerging talent opportunities are award winning, from being voted a top graduate and apprentice employer to having our own apprentices winning awards such as the prestigious Rising Star award.

At Dstl everyone is encouraged to thrive, succeed and achieve their ambitions, whatever their background, circumstances, experiences, or characteristics.

We achieve amazing things when we work together. We work hard to make sure everyone can be themselves at work, be heard, and reach their full potential.

We listen and share experiences through our active Employee Support Networks. They are run by our people and supported by our leaders.

Apply now to become part of the science, or the support behind it!

Company info
Telephone
01980 613000

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