Chilton
Job Summary
We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.
UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create nurture and sustain an inclusive culture where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.
Radon gas is the largest single source of ionising radiation exposure to the UK population. It is responsible for the lung cancer deaths of more than 1100 people in the UK each year and comes from natural sources in rocks and soils building materials and water. The Radon Group consists of 20 people with a mixture of skills: scientific technical logistical and business. Our role is to increase awareness of radon provide measurements and advice on how to tackle radon in homes and workplaces and undertake the research and development that support our services. Our publicfacing website is centred on the radon potential map of the UK which was created from a combination of radon measurement data from more than 600000 homes and local geology. The Radon Group is part of the Radiation Chemical Climate and Environmental (RCCE) Hazards Directorate.
The Radon Programmes Team focuses on the analysis of large databases of radon measurements assessing and advising on the effectiveness of radon reduction techniques interactions with regulators answering the more complex technical queries from householders and employers and leading on new measurement surveys.
This position is not a homeworking position.The postholder is expected to work 60% of their time in the office (Chilton) and if desired 40% from home.
Job Description
The post holder will provide scientific input to a small team working within the Radon Group contributing knowledge and research to support the group’s objectives. The post holder will receive extensive training in radiation protection with a view to developing their own areas of interest within the Radon Group. This will lead to the running of their own research and development projects which may be presented at national and international events.
Your Key Responsibilities Include:
Improving and providing advice about radon health risks and control to a range of stakeholders including householders and employers
- Contributing to the design of and manage specific projects to review and analyse information collected on the National Radon Database for example to improve advice to employers on the most effective ways of complying with regulations
- Developing clear and improved resources that can be translated and developed into radon information on
- Assessing the impact of international standards on radon in the UK
- Writing reports and articles on radon as lead or coauthor
A major part of the job is to provide scientific support to the radon measurement service for workplaces and householders. This means developing a good understanding of different radon exposure situations and how they can best be managed including reducing the radon levels (mitigation) and complying with the relevant legislation. The tasks will include both database and statistical analysis (and producing publications based on the conclusions) and frequent communications with a range of stakeholders (householders employers health and safety professionals) resolving their queries and supporting their decisionmaking process on radon measurement and control.
The working environment will be mostly officebased but may include activities in the Radon Laboratory or travel in the UK and possibly overseas as required.
The post holder will carry out a range of duties as part of this work including:
- Gaining knowledge and understanding of radon measurement control health effects and regulatory standards
- Providing advice about radon health risks and controls to a range of stakeholders in response to telephone and email queries
- Developing and producing support radon information for stakeholders and to raise awareness of radon
- Gathering and adding information for the National Radon Database (NRD)
- Reviewing and analysing NRD information to help increase radon measurement uptake effectiveness and control
- Contributing to the design and management of specific projects
- Contributing to publications such as reports and journal articles
- Attending and organising events associated with radon programmes within the UK
- Having a role within the RCCE radiation emergency plan
KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
The post holder will develop working relationships and communicate regularly with a wide range of individuals clinical and nonclinical internal and external to UKHSA. Internally this will include scientific and administrative staff in the Radon Group the Radon Group Leader and the Head of Dosimetry Services Department. Externally the post holder is expected to communicate with members of the public employers and Industry Local Authorities (e.g. Environmental Health Officers) landlords and property management specialists professionals involved in property transactions Government agencies and departments and mitigation contractors.
PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
UKHSA Is a Highperforming Organisation That Empowers People To Own Their Talent And Provide An Opportunity For Everyone. Through Various Talent And Learning And Development Schemes UKHSA Staff Can Build And Expand Technical Knowledge And Skills And Gain Additional Professional Qualifications E.g. Mentoring Coaching Leadership. The Post Holder Is Expected To:
- Identify discuss and action own professional performance and training / development needs with their line manager through appraisal / individual development plan.
- Attend internal / external training events e.g. Radiation Protection Training Scheme (RPTS).
- Participate in all mandatory training as required i.e. fire safety information governance.
- Participate in conferences at both national and international levels
The Harwell Campus is a science research hub with free parking and is connected to most nearby towns through a very regular bus service.
The post holder will provide scientific input to a small team working within the Radon Group contributing knowledge and research to support the group’s objectives. The post holder will receive extensive training in radiation protection with a view to developing their own areas of interest within the Radon Group. This will lead to the running of their own research and development projects which may be presented at national and international events.
UKHSA Is a Highperforming Organisation That Empowers People To Own Their Talent And Provide An Opportunity For Everyone. Through Various Talent And Learning And Development Schemes UKHSA Staff Can Build And Expand Technical Knowledge And Skills And Gain Additional Professional Qualifications E.g. Mentoring Coaching Leadership. The Post Holder Is Expected To:
- Identify discuss and action own professional performance and training / development needs with their line manager through appraisal / individual development plan.
- Attend internal / external training events e.g. Radiation Protection Training Scheme (RPTS).
- Participate in all mandatory training as required i.e. fire safety information governance.
- Participate in conferences at both national and international levels
The Harwell Campus is a science research hub with free parking and is connected to most nearby towns through a very regular bus service.
Person specification
For a full list of essential and desirable criteria please see attached job description
Qualifications
Essential Criteria
- Science degree or equivalent qualification or experience
- Postgraduate degree in radiation protection or equivalent experience
Knowledge And Experience
- Experience of scientific project work
- Broad knowledge of and interest in radiation/environmental science
- Good working knowledge of MS Office: Word Excel Access PowerPoint
Skills Capabilities And Behaviours
- Clear written communication style with ability to adapt to different audience and outputs (reports information sheets journal articles)
- Good judgement and problemsolving skills maintaining high standards
- Good interpersonal skills
- Flexible attitude to working as team member or alone and across teams in the Radon Group
- Selfmotivated and ability to work on own initiative prioritising workload
Desirable Criteria
- Understanding of radon and radiation protection
- Experience in explaining technical or scientific information to a range of audiences – from professionals to members of the public both orally and in writing
Alongside your salary of £34093 UK Health Security Agency contributes £9876 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 with an employer contribution of 28.97%
Selection process details
Stage 1: Application & Sift
Competencybased assessments
You Will Be Required To Complete An Application Form. You Will Be Assessed On The Listed 10 Essential Criteria And This Will Be In The Form Of A:
- Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
- 1500 word Statement of Suitability.
This should outline how your skills experience and knowledge provide evidence of your suitability for the role with reference to the essential criteria.
The Application form and Statement of Suitability will be marked together.
In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:
- Meets all essential criteria
- Meets some essential criteria
- Meets no essential criteria
In the event of a large number of applications we will shortlist on:
Experience of scientific project work
All essential criteria and desirable criteria may be used in the event of a large number of applications / large amount of successful candidates (see attached job description).
If you are successful at this stage you will progress to interview and assessment
Please do not exceed 1500 words. We will not consider any words over and above this number.
Feedback will not be provided at this stage.
Stage 2: Interview (competency based)
You will be invited to a single face to face interview. In exceptional circumstances we may be able to offer a remote interview.
Knowledge Experience And Skills Will Be Tested At Interview
Interview candidates will be required to prepare and present a short presentation on a radonrelated topic details to be confirmed to those successful at gaining an interview.
Interviews dates to be confirmed.
Once this job has closed the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Selection Process
Please note you will not be able to upload your CV. You must complete the application form in as much detail as possible. Please do not email us your CV.
Location
This role is being offered as hybrid working based at our Scientific Campus in Chilton. We offer great flexible working opportunities at UKHSA and operate using a hybrid working model where business needs allow. This provides us with greater flexibility about how and where we work to get the best from our workforce. As a hybrid worker you will be expected to spend a minimum of 60% of your contractual working hours (approximately 3 days a week pro rata averaged over a month).
Security Clearance Level Requirement
If based at one of our scientific campuses you will be required to have a minimum of a Counter Terrorism Check security vetting check as a minimum. For meaningful National Security Vetting checks to be carried out individuals need to have lived in the UK for a sufficient period of time. You should normally have been resident in the United Kingdom for the last 3 years as the role requires Counter Terrorism Check (CTC) clearance. In exceptional circumstances UK residency less than the outlined periods may not necessarily bar you from gaining national security vetting and applicants should contact the Vacancy Holder/Recruiting Manager listed in the advert for further advice
Eligibility Criteria
ExternalOpen to all external applicants (anyone) from outside the Civil Service (including by definition internal applicants).
Reasonable Adjustments
The Civil Service is committed to making sure that our selection methods are fair to everyone. To help you during the recruitment process we will consider any reasonable adjustments that could help you. An adjustment is a change to the recruitment process or an adjustment at work. This is separate to the Disability Confident Scheme. If you need an adjustment to be made at any point during the recruitment process you should contact the recruitment team in confidence as soon as possible to discuss your needs. You can find out more information about reasonable adjustments across the Civil Service here:
International Police check
If you have spent more than 6 months abroad over the last 3 years you may need an International Police Check. This would not necessarily have to be in a single block and it could be time accrued over that period.
Artificial Intelligence (AI)
Your application may be rejected and/or you may be subject to disciplinary action if evidence of plagiarism is detected. Examples of plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experience of others or generated by artificial intelligence (AI) as your own.
Face to Face interviews
In exceptional circumstances we may be able to offer a remote interview.
Careers website
Please visit our careers site for more information
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counterterrorist check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is counterterrorist check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality requirements
This Job Is Broadly Open To The Following Groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the EU Switzerland Norway Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or presettled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- nationals of the EU Switzerland Norway Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or presettled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
- individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
- Turkish nationals and certain family members of Turkish nationals who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window).
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.
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window).
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.
Diversity and Inclusion
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).
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).
Once this job has closed the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job Contact :
- Name : Lisa Tweedie
- Email :
Recruitment team
Further information
The law requires that selection for appointment to the Civil Service is on merit on the basis of fair and open competition as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with the Recruitment Principles and you wish to make a complaint in the first instance you should contact UKHSA Public Accountability Unit via email: If you are not satisfied with the response you receive from the Department you can contact the Civil Service Commission: Visit the Civil Service Commission website:
