Armour Research Scientist/Engineer

About the job

Job summary

Dstl’s purpose is to maximise the impact of Science & Technology (S&T) on UK Defence and Security.

The Physical Protection Team and the Blast and IED Team support and conduct research into and provide advice on the protection of personnel and vehicles from explosive and kinetic devices using Reactive and Passive Protection Technologies.

The Armour Research Scientist / Engineer role exists to support the capabilities above and deliver a wide range of high impact projects in support of many defence platforms, and installations, whilst also providing support to wider government on all aspects of protection and National Security.

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 maximises their contribution.

We particularly welcome female and ethnic minority applicants and those from the LGBTQI community, as they are under-represented within Dstl at these levels.

Job description

You will be responsible for the technical delivery of projects to both internal and external customers, using appropriate trials, modelling, and simulations techniques. This may also involve technical leadership of other team members. You will be working across the Physical Sciences Group and wider Dstl Divisions. 

The role includes participation in research projects that require working in a demanding, multi-task environment and involves liaising with academia, defence contractors and specialist material suppliers, as well as technology watching in the relevant subject areas.

The position will be centred on a small team developing armour protection for a range of scenarios, from small arms protection, to armour for tanks, logistics vehicles and heavy combat vehicles.  This will involve theoretical studies, ballistic and blast field trials, conducting risk assessments and the analysis and publication of experimental data.

Person specification

Successful applicants will be able to apply expertise to provide improved armour to platforms in support of the armed services. 

Good computing skills are required together with demonstrable understanding of physics, the characteristics of materials and an appreciation of engineering. This should include current knowledge of, or a willingness to acquire expertise in, the field of weapons interaction with armour materials and systems and knowledge of military / armoured vehicles.

Flexibility and the ability to work within a multi-disciplined team environment are a pre-requisite.

Successful applicants will be able to apply expertise to provide improved armour to platforms in support of the armed services. 

Good computing skills are required together with demonstrable understanding of physics, the characteristics of materials and an appreciation of engineering. This should include current knowledge of, or a willingness to acquire expertise in, the field of weapons interaction with armour materials and systems and knowledge of military / armoured vehicles.

Flexibility and the ability to work within a multi-disciplined team environment are a pre-requisite.

We’re looking for someone who has;

• A good understanding of / a desire to become an expert in the physical protection of vehicles, platforms and / or people.
• Degree level of knowledge/experience in physics, materials, engineering, or a related discipline. (Applicants with an equivalent level of skills / knowledge / experience will also be considered for this post.)

Essential Technical Skills

Successful candidates are expected to possess extensive technical/scientific knowledge drawn from a number of core skills including:

• Knowledge and understanding of classical mechanics
• Ability to apply statistical methods to experiments and modelling
• Knowledge and understanding of the physics of stress and strain
• Experience using formulas and functions in excel, or using a programming language such as R, Python or Matlab
• Understanding of high strain rate interactions or high velocity impacts on materials (only for Level 5 posting)

Important Information

Our work in defence, security and intelligence requires our employees to be UK Nationals who are able to gain a high level of security clearance to undertake the projects we are involved in to protect us from security threats. For this reason, 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.

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

Behaviours

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

• Delivering at Pace
• Leadership
• Communicating and Influencing
• Making Effective Decisions

Benefits

Benefits 

Dstl’s full range of great benefits can be found in the information pack which includes:

• Financial: An excellent pension scheme starting from 26% employer contribution (find out more here). In Year Rewarding Achievement bonuses and thank you vouchers. Rental deposit scheme and cycle to work scheme. 
• Flexible working: Working options include alternative working patterns, compressed hours, job shares and annualised hours
• Flexible working hours: Ability to bank hours in a 12 month reference period including the ability to accrue and use 3 days per calendar month. 
• Annual leave: A generous annual leave allowance starting at 25 days pro rata (rising to 30 after 5 years) plus 8 public holidays with the ability to buy/sell 5 additional days per annum.
• Family: Maternity, adoption or shared parental leave of up to 26 weeks with full pay, an additional 13 weeks statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid
• Learning and Development: Encouragement and support on charterships, accreditations and access to fully funded apprenticeships up to level 7 (Masters Degree). Paid memberships with 2 relevant bodies/institutions. Employees have access to Civil Service Learning.
• Facilities: Onsite parking, EV Charging points, restaurants, cafés and gyms.

The information pack can be found attached to the job specification on Civil Service Jobs. 

Diversity 

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
• Race, 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

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

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.

Sifting will take place week commencing the 22 May with interviews to be arranged from the 5th June

 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 security 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

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 (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 also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.