Skip to main content

This job has expired

Graduate - Defence Security and Analysis Division

Employer
Dstl
Location
Porton Down, Salisbury
Salary
£21,500 - £26,478
Closing date
9 Dec 2020

View more

Clearance Level
DV, SC
Sector
Central Government
Job Type
Permanent

Job Details

Are you passionate about applying your expertise to deliver high impact research and analysis? Do you want to make a difference to the way Defence and Security operates and how it protects the UK, and our armed forces, from real world threats, both at home and abroad?

The Defence & Security Analysis Division (DSA) is one of five Science & Technology divisions in Dstl and supports the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and wider Government to ensure intelligent decision-making is at the heart of the UK Defence and Security. We provide a broad range of impartial evidence-based analysis and human science advice supporting high priority decision-making on critical policies across all our military customers and evaluate exciting new capabilities and technologies.

DSA division comprises of nine groups;
• Four domain focused (Land Environment, Air and Maritime Environment, Joint Enablers, and Strategy, Policy & Security);
• Four skills based (Simulation and Numerical Methods, Novel Analytical Techniques, Human and Social Sciences, System Thinking & Consulting);
• Project Management.

The breadth and impact of our research ranges from providing unbiased advice to the Armed Forces so they can make informed decisions about the design and procurement of battle-winning equipment and critical enabling capabilities, through to supporting the development and delivery of strategic Defence policy and the wider Government’s counter terrorism.

We work at the forefront of defence and security analysis and research. This is a dynamic and rapidly evolving environment. Quite simply, this is work that you cannot do anywhere else.

We are looking for graduates to join the following specific areas within DSA:

Operational Analysts: Through knowledge of our customer’s needs and our potential adversaries, we use a broad range of techniques to analyse the impact of new threats and the effectiveness of new technologies and future concepts to support the development of defence & security equipment, capabilities and policies.

Data scientists and data analysts: We apply data science techniques to a variety of data-rich and complex defence and security problem areas to support strategic and operational level decision makers. By embracing novel approaches, using data more effectively, and helping others to develop their skills, we aim to make analysis more effective and efficient.

Wargamers: We use a range of qualitative and quantitative analysis techniques, facilitation and wargame design to model conflict, we are keen to build a diverse team to broaden our experiences and improve defence outcomes.

Job description

What to expect

As a graduate in DSA, you will work on a dynamic collection of projects, contributing to a diverse team of specialists delivering critical scientific advice and solutions. You will support the development of vital defence capabilities, using creativity and innovation.

You will undertake technical work from the very start of your career at Dstl, working with industry, academia and our international partners to deliver advice to our customers right across the MOD and to other parts of Government.

You will be in control of your own research; responsible for designing, developing, and implementing technical methods and approaches that will provide impartial evidence-based solutions to inform decision making. There will be opportunities to travel to military establishments, attend various trials and undertake international travel.

You will work with a Project Manager and Technical Lead who will be responsible for the overall delivery of the project, however you will be expected to lead individual work packages or aspects of the work and deliver these to the highest standard.

You will build positive relationships across Dstl and with our wider government partners, suppliers and customers, to understand, shape and develop their requirements and identify linkages to ensure the maximum exploitation of work.

Challenges
• Helping to solve some of the biggest challenges for defence and security.
• Working concurrently across a number of high impact projects.
• Learning and developing agile and innovative ways to deliver your work.
• Maintain an awareness of advances in science and technology.
 

Responsibilities

We are looking for someone who wants to:
• Make a real difference/impact to the defence and security of the UK
• Develop analytical and research solutions to solve unique and complex problems Work alongside the best minds within Government, industry and academia
• Learn new skills, techniques and to continue their own professional development
Knowledge, Skills & Experience Required:
A keen interest in ongoing scientific developments and the opportunities/risks they may present for operations and capabilities. An experience in programming is also desirable.

Personal Qualities:
• Enjoys problem solving
• Has a good attention to detail
• Creative and innovative
• Keen to put forward their own ideas
• Great communication skills
• Collaborates with others and works well in a team
• Self motivation to learn new skills and develop
• Comfortable working under their own initiative
• Sees the bigger picture and can understand our customers needs

Qualifications
A degree, Masters or PhD in any of the following subjects, or a similar subject:
• Operational Research
• Maths
• Data Science
• Data Analysis
• MORSE
• Physics
• Game Design
• War Studies
• Computer Science

Training and Development
We will support your early career development through a mixture of on-the-job, course-based training which include;
• A wide range of interesting training modules for you choose from to build your technical ability and military, defence and security domain awareness.
• Talks and discussion groups led by some of our technical experts.
• Personal skills development.
• Networking with other new starters, both in our division and across Dstl, including access to our new starter support network.

Security Clearance Required
This role will require full UK security clearance and you should have resided in the UK for the past 5 years. For some Developed Vetting will also be required, in this case you should have resided in the UK for the past 10 years.

Our work in defence, security and intelligence requires our employees to be British Citizens who are able to gain a high level of security clearance to understand the work you will undertake to protect us from any security threats. For this reason, we regret that only UK Nationals will be able to apply for this role. If you are an international or dual-national candidate, and you think you have the skills we need, please consider applying to any of our government, security or defence partners across the enterprise. We work closely with the Defence and Security Industry on many projects, so it would be great to work with you via one of our partners.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

  • Working Together
  • Delivering at Pace
  • Communicating and Influencing
  • Developing Self and Others

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

  • Please state the title of the degree you are studying for or have completed and the modules you have taken/are taking.
  • Which of the three roles (operational analyst/data scientist/wargamer) are you interested in?
  • Please give an example of some analysis you have undertaken
  • Please list your top three technical areas of interest or degree modules and include a short explanation of why you enjoy these aspects the most?
  • What transferable skills can you bring from elsewhere in your work/life/extra-curricular activities which you feel might be relevant for a role at Dstl?
  • Do you have the relevant experience and skills as outlined in the job profile? a. (Yes/No) b. Provide details (max 250 words)

Benefits

We'll provide a great range of benefits including:

Fully flexible working, including alternative working patterns, annualised hours, compressed hours and job share, to name a few.
Flexible Working hours, a 12 month reference period and the ability to bank hours. Up to 20 hours can be taken in any calendar month.
Excellent learning and development to ensure everyone fulfils their potential.
Maternity, adoption or shared parental leave of up to 26 weeks full pay followed by 13 weeks statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid, and paternity leave of 2 weeks full pay.
Chartership and accreditation support.
Pension.
Generous annual leave, with the ability to buy and sell up to 5 days holiday per year.
A competitive salary.
Onsite gyms and restaurants.
Staff discounts for high street and online shopping, restaurants and days out.

Our Diversity Networks

DSTL recognises the importance of diversity and inclusion as people from diverse backgrounds bring fresh ideas. We are committed to building an inclusive working environment in which each employee fulfils their potential and maximizes their contribution. We have a number of support networks to ensure all employees feel supported at work.
These include the following:
• Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Network
• Faith and Culture Network
• Parents and Carer Support Network
• Alternative Working Network
• Gender Equality Network
• New Starters Network
• Enabled Network, for people with visible and non-visible disabilities

For further information about DSTL please check out our LinkedIn page 

Things you need to know Security

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check.

People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours, Ability, Experience and Technical skills.

We want you to have your best chance of success in our recruitment process, so If at any stage of the application process you would like help or assistance please contact the Dstl Recruitment Team dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk and we will do all we can to support you.

We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for all disabled applicants who provide evidence in their application of meeting the minimum essential requirements of the post, set out in the job description. You will be asked to indicate if you are applying under this scheme when you submit your application.

As part of the selection for these positions you will need to complete 2 Civil Service Sift Tests, Verbal Reasoning and Numerical Reasoning. These must be completed before you can finish your application so please don't leave these until the last minute. Please note that the tests will not be available to complete on 15 November 2020 between 4:00pm and 7:00pm.

The sift will look at your answers to the questions in the application, focusing on your skills and experiences and how these match the requirements of the job description which is attached.

If you pass the sift you will be asked to record a video answering the following questions:

1. Why have you applied for this graduate role with Defence and Security Analysis Division?
2. Describe a time where have you taught yourself and put in to practice a new skill?
3. Describe a time where you have worked as part of a team to achieve a goal?
4. Describe a recent piece of analytical work that you found enjoyable?

If for any reason you are unable to complete the video, please contact the Dstl Recruitment team so we can make alternative arrangements.

The next stage will be a formal interview, due to the current situation this is likely to be via a video link. More details of the interview will be provided in the invitation.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Nationality requirements

Open to UK nationals only.

This job is not open to candidates who hold a dual nationality.

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

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

Get job alerts

Create a job alert and receive personalised job recommendations straight to your inbox.

Create alert