CBR Graduate Statistical Data Science, Data & Software Engineer Roles

About the job

Within the Chemical, Biological and Radiological (CBR) Division our mission is to support the Ministry of Defence (MOD) Other Government Departments to ensure intelligent decision-making is at the heart of the UK government thinking. We work in partnership with the best suppliers from industry, academia and international allies to deliver creative cost effective S&T solutions that reduce the risk CBR materials pose to the UK. 

The roles sit within the Statistical Data Science and Software Team in the CB Advice Group. The team supports a diverse range of projects including the development of cutting edge modelling research and software development for CBRN decision support tools, development of novel statistical analysis and use of cutting edge data science techniques for chemistry and biology unique to Dstl. The capability provides support across the division providing and developing best practice, providing advice on tools and techniques and helping to oversee technical work with our industry and academic partners.

The roles are a key component in supporting the group and wider division on a wide range of challenging projects, contributing to a team of specialists delivering critical scientific, analytical and technical advice. We develop and use novel analytical models and techniques and undertake ground-breaking research and experimentation at the forefront of defence and security research, which is a dynamic and rapidly evolving environment. Quite simply, we believe this is work you cannot do anywhere else and will directly support the defence and security of the UK.

Job description

Role 1 – Graduate Software Engineer

We are looking for a graduate to join the CBR software sub capability as part of the wider CBR Graduate programme. As a capability we provide Chemical and Biological hazard assessment advice, primarily through the development and use of models, to support operations, advice, policy and research for enclosed and complex environments including buildings, transport infrastructure and military platforms.

Role 2 – Graduate Data Engineer

We are looking for a graduate to join the CBR data science and software capabilities as part of the wider CBR Graduate programme. We are looking to build on our data engineering understanding to support both software development and the use of data science and artifcial intelligence techniques across the group and wider division.

Role 3 – Statistical Data Scientist

We are looking for a graduate to join the CBR data science sub capability as part of the wider CBR Graduate programme. As a capability we will develop and use novel statistical techniques and will undertake ground-breaking research and experimentation at the forefront of statistical science.

Further details on specifics of each role can be found in the attached Roles Documentation

Person specification

We are looking for someone who:

• Is driven, motivated and enthused and dedicated to learning new skills and working within a multi-disciplinary team.
• Has the ability to take ownership for their own work and plan their work to meet project timeframes.
• Has the desire to apply their technical understanding to problems that are unfamiliar to them.
• Has strong communication, interpersonal skills and strong attention to detail.
• Has the ability to respond to changing demands.
• Experience of working as part of a team and independently.
• Experience in using Microsoft Office package (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook) for data analysis, technical reports and presentations.

We will support your career development by:

• Providing training modules to build your technical ability.
• Enabling access to on-the-job and course based training to improve your technical and professional knowledge.
• Encouraging personal skills development.
• Giving talks and discussion groups led by our technical authorities.
• Facilitating networking with others, both in our division and across Dstl.
• Guiding you through your technical work and your future career within Dstl.

Further details of technical skills required can be found in attached documentation

Qualifications

A degree qualification in a relevant degree such as but not limited to: statistics, data science, mathematics, physics, computer science and engineering

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.

Qualifications

A degree qualification in a relevant degree such as but not limited to: statistics, data science, mathematics, physics, computer science and engineering

Behaviours

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

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

Technical skills

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

• Please state which role(s) you wish to be considered for:
• Please state your Degree title and modules
• Explain how your technical skills fit with the role you wish to be considered for
• Explain how your skills and experiences fit with the work of Dstl

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, Experience and Technical skills.

Sifts will take place throughout May. Interviews will be held in early - mid June and will be held via MS Teams. 

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.

 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.