Dstl Graduate

About the job

Job summary

Scratch the surface to reveal the reality behind the mystery of a career with Dstl.

If you are driven by curiosity, solving problems and are studying a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics), social science or humanities degree (eg history, war studies), we are keen to hear from you. Full list of degrees attached on .Gov!

So, who is Dstl?

An Executive Agency of the Ministry of Defence, Dstl is the Science Inside UK Defence and Security. From DNA batteries to anthropology, cyber security and software development to aircraft survivability, operational research to vital vaccine research – the breadth and depth of what we do is extra-ordinary.

A lot of the work you can get involved in has to stay secret, which means we can’t tell you a lot of what happens underneath the surface. What we can say is the projects Dstl work on has a genuine impact on protecting our nation.

We stretch the boundaries of research, technology and science and apply them in unexpected ways.

What roles have we got for you?

You can start your journey on a graduate scheme (which may include rotations and an industrial placement) or directly into a role – either way you will make real impact.

The transferability of your skill set in your degree discipline feeds into the incredible variety of work we do – potentially in areas you’ve never even considered. Explore what our divisions can tell you!

You can check out the spreadsheet on CS Jobs to see where your degree will fit at Dstl.

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

As a graduate, what will you do?

We can’t tell you too much about that, until you start (and have your clearance), but here’s a flavour:

• challenge conventional thinking, contribute to, and take pride in working on life-saving projects
• partner with industry and represent Dstl to external suppliers, customers and stakeholders
• practice your coding, operational research, analytical, mathematical, engineering or scientific skills in our workshops, laboratories or collaboration spaces
• learn and improve your skills and knowledge from our friendly experts – and teach them!
• explore the organisation, making the most of opportunities getting involved in trials, working groups or seminars
• network across Government, industry and academia.

We are genuine when we say no two days are the same!

Why Dstl?

That’s simple –your career journey will start at an organisation that empowers and supports you to create your OWN career pathway. You will spend roughly 75% of your time on site taking advantage of our facilities and working closely with expert colleagues. You will also spend time on customer sites working and engaging with our customers and stakeholders.

Worried about the commute? We have handy shuttle services in Salisbury and Portsmouth.  Or a cycle to work scheme if you live closer.

Don’t forget to check out all our benefits…they’re too good not to share!

Person specification

What are we looking for in a graduate at Dstl:

• A degree in a relevant subject (this is a non-exhaustive list, a full list can be found attached to CSJobs - software, sciences, humanities, maths, electronics, engineering, physics, chemistry, aviation/aerospace, forensics)
• effective communication skills
• problem solving skills
• passion for ongoing learning and self-development opportunities and the willingness to develop others.
• curiosity and tenacity to understand how things work and to improve them
• adaptability to work independently and in teams
• ability and desire to challenge yourself and work outside of your comfort zone
• self-starting skills such as confidence, motivation, innovation and creativity
• to agree and uphold our values – impactful, innovative and collaborative

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:

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

Technical skills

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

• State your degree(s) – type (Don’t include university – please include any masters/phd). This is not a scored question.
• State all your modules
• List your transferable technical skills can you bring to a graduate role at Dstl? (coding languages, analysis etc.)

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £27,620, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory contributes £7,457 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

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: Options include alternative working patterns such as; compressed hours (e.g. working a 4 day week/ 9 day fortnight), job shares and annualised hours (agreed number of hours per annum paid monthly i.e. working term-time only).
• Working hours: Flexibility around your working day (e.g. start time, finish time). Ability to bank hours in a 12 month reference period including the ability to accrue and use 3 days per calendar month.
• Where you work: Depending on your role, blended working may be available including remote working to suit you and your team. This can be discussed at interview.
• Annual leave: 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: Dstl encourages and supports charterships, accreditations and provides employees access to fully funded apprenticeships up to level 7 (Masters Degree). Dstl will pay for 2 memberships with relevant bodies/institutions. Employees also have access to Civil Service Learning.
• Facilities: Onsite parking, EV Charging points, restaurants, cafés and gyms.

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.

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.

The interview process will consist of:

30 min behavioural interview with Dstl Recruitment Team via telephone

1 hour technical interview in January/February with divisions including a 10 min presentation on a technical topic of their choice via MS Teams

 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.

Apply and further information

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

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 :Dstl HR Recruitment Team
• Email :dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email :dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk

Further information

Should you wish to raise a formal complaint about the Dstl recruitment process you should email dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk stating the nature of the issue. We will respond within 5 working days.