Ewyas Harold, West Midlands (England), HR2 0JA

A rare opportunity for a talented scientist to utilise their specialist skills in applied physics and general science within Defence. The successful candidate will deliver specialist scientific advice and solutions for complex problem sets; as well as planning, preparing, and undertaking experimentation and field trials in direct support of specialist military users directly involved in global operations.

Strategic Command is going through a significant transformation programme which aims to improve the way the Command conducts its business and delivers for Defence and the nation. As a consequence of this, all posts within Strategic Command Headquarters and in time the wider organisation, are/will be subject to review and potential changes as we continuously improve across the period of the transformation programme. These changes may be minor or could be more substantive and will generate new opportunities.  Throughout, the Commands transformation programme is committed to following the MODs framework on managing and supporting people through the change process and places an emphasis on early and open consultation and engagement with the Commands personnel and Trade Unions. 

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week. 

Are you a scientist looking for wide ranging daily challenges that require scientific analysis and inventive options that culminate in operational solutions?

Do you want to put your scientific skills into action to deliver direct advice, guidance, effects, analysis and solutions to an operational military user community?

Emerging and future threats to our armed forces require novel technical capabilities to solve a new problem set. You will be joining a unique unit that comprises of scientists and engineers who provide direct technical support to specialist military users. As a senior science expert in the team, you will provide a pivotal role in solving current and future technical problems by delivering novel solutions that will have a direct impact to success on military operations.

To become a part of this unique organisation, you must be a talented scientist who can manage multiple complex projects through trials, tests and experimentation whilst dealing directly with the specialist military users to find solutions to real-world challenges. Information that you will handle will be sensitive and you will draw on your impeccable people skills whilst maintaining the highest integrity.

You will also bring experience in an appropriate field and proven expertise in areas such as the following: application of optical technologies, including sources (e.g. lasers), sensors and exploitation of optical phenomena across the spectrum; materials properties and applications; working in a military environment.

You will have an OfQual level 6 qualification in a relevant scientific discipline with relevant work-related experience.

As part of the embedded technical support team, you will hold the primary management position for the development, experimentation, concept delivery and project management of Physical Sciences and Technologies. This will involve providing specialist scientific advice and undertaking development and testing of a range of solutions based on the users requirements. These solutions may be ground up design deliverables or adaptions of Commercial Off the Shelf (COTS) products for specific operational taskings.

You will be required to lead with trials and experimentation, provide regular feedback within the team and user community, and ensure you liaise with the wider scientific community. You will work well under pressure and be able to provide solutions that are demanded in short time frames and under rapid delivery timelines.

You will be someone who ensures that projects and tasks remain on track, relevant and deliver high quality results. You will be involved in cross-government projects and work with industry, academia and defence scientists to find solutions to real-world challenges.

To achieve this, you will need to demonstrate your specialist skills in applied physics and general science whilst being self-motivated to seek and develop opportunities on your own initiative. You will need to possess excellent problem-solving and team working skills to tackle complex challenges for which there is no precedent, requiring creative thinking and collaboration.

Using your sound and practical knowledge of physics and related disciplines, you will deliver solutions (in areas such as signature management, multi-spectral imaging, and laser-based technologies) in the form of experimental prototypes, adaptations of COTS equipment, reports, and briefings.  

Drawing on your strong communication and influencing skills, you will need to be confident at presenting your work in person and have an ability to tailor your presentation to different audiences. You will need to produce technical reports and documentation describing project work undertaken as well as producing summary reports for non-technical customers.

OfQual level 6 qualification in a relevant scientific discipline (e.g., Physics or Chemistry) with relevant experience of R&D. 
A PhD (or equivalent experience) in areas relating to optical technologies.

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

• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace
• Leadership
• Making Effective Decisions
• Managing a Quality Service

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

• Applying Scientific and technical knowledge (The MOD Science and engineering professional framework)
• Securing, maintaining and developing relevant technical expertise (The MOD Science and engineering professional framework)

Alongside your salary of £43,080, Ministry of Defence contributes £11,631 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension
• Free use of on-site fitness centre.
• Free on-site parking

Where business needs allow, some roles may be suitable for a combination of office and home-based working.  This is a non-contractual arrangement where all office-based employees will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of their working time in office, subject to capacity and any required workplace adjustments. Requirements to attend other locations for official business, or work in another MOD office, will also count towards this level of attendance. Applicants can request further information regarding how this may work in their team from the Vacancy Holder (see advert for contact details). Defence Business Services cannot respond to any questions about working arrangements. 

The post does not offer relocation expenses. 

External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period.

Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed. 

Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.  

Any move to MOD from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/. 

The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.  

MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey we may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights. 

Open to UK nationals only.

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.

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Job contact :

• Name : Business Manager will direct accordingly
• Email : [email protected]
• Telephone : 01432 357311

Recruitment team

• Email : [email protected]