Graduate – Counter Terrorism and Security Division

Location

Dstl Porton Down, Salisbury, Wiltshire and Dstl Fort Halstead, Sevenoaks, Kent.

About the job

Summary

Dstl, by its design, only does work that cannot be conducted outside of government and hence we offer work and opportunities like no other.

The Counter Terrorism and Security (CTS) Division provides innovative science and technology solutions to support counter terrorism and security operations for the Ministry of Defence and other government departments. It is one of Dstl’s 5 operating Divisions and its vision is to provide a safer Britain.

CTS Division works with world-leading industrial, academic and governmental partners within the UK and internationally to provide expertise in a range of niche technical capabilities. The division is focused on homeland and rest of world Counter Terrorism operations, underpinned by a long heritage of providing operational impact by the exploitation of science and technology.

CTS Division is split in to eight groups, each with a different specialization. There are roles available in four groups and their details are in the job dimensions section below. Your role will be in a specific group but there will be opportunities for placements in other groups inside and possibly outside the division.

We are looking for graduates who want to develop their expertise while delivering high-risk, high-reward research to help protect the UK from current and future threats.

Job description

In this role you will:

• Work on a wide variety of projects, no one day is the same. You’ll take technology and push it to its limits, using creativity and innovation to solve real world problems for real world customers. Quite simply, this is work that you cannot do anywhere else.
• Work at the forefront of defence research and innovation which is a dynamic and rapidly evolving environment.
• Work within a complementary team of specialists to deliver scientific, analytical and engineering solutions.
• Collaborate, nationally and internationally, on field trials and in laboratory testing, to acquire, analyse and advise on scientific evidence.
• Develop broad networks across the world with external partners, academic institutes and government departments.
• Drive your career, with great opportunities to gain new skills and qualifications, work with leading experts and ensure your working life is never boring.

We have roles available in the following groups:

Electronic Countermeasures
Specializing in electronic warfare capabilities, we contribute towards military systems development and evaluation, as well as a broad range of ground-breaking research activities.

Within the groups’ technical remit, there are opportunities to contribute to, but not limited to, the following areas:

• General electronics laboratory work and component level testing.
• Radio frequency test and measurement.
• Antenna design and development and in-depth signal processing activities.
• EMC testing.
• Software designed radio and FPGA system development.
• Military systems integration and relevant networks and protocols.
• Over The Air trials on external sites in the UK and overseas.
• Hardware in the Loop and modelling and simulation (e.g. MatLab/ Simulink, CST).

Energetics Analysis
The Energetics Analysis Group has a broad remit delivering three key capabilities:

• Explosives Detection – supports the UK ability to detect, identify and analyse explosives and related materials through analytical chemistry and physics based techniques; animal behavioural science (e.g. scientific support to use of trained detection dogs); and laboratory and trials based assessments.
• Forensic Explosives Laboratory – maintains a UKAS accredited facility, developing capability in line with advances in technology and the provision of expertise to the UK Criminal Justice System. The majority of FEL’s capability is centred around analytical chemistry.
• UK Defence Exploitation Facility – offers a variety of exploitation disciplines, including chemical analysis and biometric identity intelligence, delivered as an intelligence product to inform both military and government customers.

The Energetics Analysis Group is also the focal point for the STEM Futures scheme within the division. The scheme looks to provide a talent pipeline addressing specific skills gaps and makes use of links with industry and academia to provide placements to support this. There are opportunities for graduates to join directly onto this scheme.

Sensing and Detection
The Sensing and Detection Group specializes in the development of threat detection technology for the UK Armed Forces. The group’s expertise means that we also do work for other UK government departments. Our roles include a variety of work from the testing of commercially available equipment to taking part in the development of prototype bespoke equipment.

Much of the work in the group focuses on exploiting regions of the electromagnetic spectrum, this includes the following areas:

• High-energy physics – including X-ray and high-power lasers; as well as neutron activation.
• Advanced radar techniques – including ground penetrating and other specialist radar.
• Novel magnetic techniques – including specialist induction and magnetic resonance.

These areas are investigated using the following techniques:

• Analysis, modelling and simulation using programmes such as MatLab, LabVIEW and Geant4.
• Laboratory and off-site experiments using specialist equipment including oscilloscopes, spectrum analysers and network analysers.
• Algorithm design and testing including digital signal processing (DSP).
• Radio frequency (RF) system design.

In addition, the group specialized in:

• Assessment and evaluation of microelectronic components and systems. Mathematics and logic solving, pattern recognition, software specification, design and implementation.
• Development of bespoke novel equipment, algorithm design, analysis, modelling and simulation.

Surveillance
As a specialist group within the surveillance and communications domains we carry out research and design, test and evaluation and exploitation activities including:

• Embedded systems and firmware, software development, programming and mobile communications.
• Software to solve challenging problems and potential risks of emerging computing threats, techniques and technologies.
• Optics, electro-optics and lasers, including optical surveillance and image processing.
• Radio Frequency Communications (including Networks, Protocols and SatComms), antenna research, design and modelling.
• Electronic surveillance systems and networks.
• Systems engineering, integration and interfacing of equipment onto a common platform.

Responsibilities

We are looking for someone who has:

• A flexible, adaptable and inquisitive approach to work.
• The ability to work both independently and as part of a team.

Someone who wants to:

• Make a real difference/impact to the defence and security of the UK.
• Develop analytical and research solutions to solve unique and complex problems Work alongside the best minds within government, industry and academia.
• Learn new skills, techniques and to continue their own professional development.

Knowledge, skills and experience required

A keen interest in ongoing scientific developments and the opportunities/risks they may present for operations and capabilities.

Personal qualities

• Enjoys problem solving.
• Has a good attention to detail.
• Creative and innovative.
• Keen to put forward their own ideas.
• Great communication skills.
• Collaborates with others and works well in a team.
• Self motivation to learn new skills and develop.
• Comfortable working under their own initiative.
• Sees the bigger picture and can understand our customers needs.

Qualifications

Essential
An undergraduate degree in one of the following (or similar) courses:

• Artificial intelligence/machine intelligence
• Chemistry
• Communications engineering
• Computer science
• Electronic or electrical engineering
• Information science
• Mathematics
• Mechanical engineering
• Physics
• Robotics
• Software engineering
• Statistics
• Systems engineering

Desirable
A Master’s degree or PhD in a subject related to the above courses.

Security clearance required

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

Our work in defence, security and intelligence requires our employees to be British Citizens who are able to gain a high level of security clearance to understand the work you will undertake to protect us from any security threats. For this reason, we regret that 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 across the enterprise. We work closely with the defence and security industry on many projects, so it would be great to work with you via one of our partners.

Training and development

We will support your early career development through a mixture of on-the-job, course-based training, which include:

• A wide range of interesting training modules for you choose from to build your technical ability and military, defence and security domain awareness.
• Talks and discussion groups led by some of our technical experts.
• Personal skills development.
• Networking with other new starters, both in our division and across Dstl, including access to our new starter support network.

Dstl is relocating its operation from the Fort Halstead site to our other Dstl sites by 2022, using a phased approach. This may result in staff moving at different times but we remain committed to supporting staff moves and providing as much notice as possible.

If your team has received their Posting Notices, your home site will be Dstl Porton Down and some travel to Fort Halstead will be required until the team move is completed. If Posting Notices or Letters of Intent have not been issued you will be subject to Dstl’s transfer clause and may be eligible for relocation when your team moves have been confirmed.

Behaviours

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

• Working together
• Delivering at pace
• Communicating and Iifluencing
• Developing self and others

Technical skills

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

• Please state the title of the degree you are studying, list the modules you are taking and any scores have you received.
• Which group would you like to apply for a role in and what skills do you have that make you suitable for work in this group?
• Describe a recent piece of scientific/ technical work that you found enjoyable, why was this memorable?

Benefits

We’ll provide a great range of benefits including:

• Fully flexible working, including alternative working patterns, annualized hours, compressed hours and job share, to name a few.
• Flexible working hours, a 12-month reference period and the ability to bank hours. Up to 20 hours can be taken in any calendar month.
• Excellent learning and development to ensure everyone fulfils their potential.
• Maternity, adoption or shared parental leave of up to 26 weeks full pay followed by 13 weeks statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid, and paternity leave of two weeks full pay.
• Chartership and accreditation support.
• Pension.
• Generous annual leave, with the ability to buy and sell up to five days holiday per year.
• A competitive salary.
• Onsite gyms and restaurants.
• Staff discounts for high street and online shopping, restaurants and days out.

Our diversity networks

Dstl recognizes 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 maximizes their contribution. 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
• 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

Security

• Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.
• Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check.
• People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your behaviours, ability, 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.

We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for all disabled applicants who provide evidence in their application of meeting the minimum essential requirements of the post, set out in the job description. You will be asked to indicate if you are applying under this scheme when you submit your application.

As part of the selection for these positions you will need to complete a Numerical Reasoning Civil Service Sift Test. This must be completed before you can finish your application so please don’t leave this until the last minute. Please note the test won’t be available on 15 November between 4.00 p.m. to 7.00 p.m.

The sift will look at your answers to the questions in the application, focusing on your skills and experiences and how these match the requirements of the job description.

If you pass the sift you will be asked to record a video answering the following questions:

• Why have you applied for this graduate role?
• Describe a time where have you taught yourself and put in to practice a new skill?
• What current events are likely to impact on the work of Dstl? How do you think it will change the way we work or what work we do?

If for any reason you are unable to complete the video, please contact the Dstl Recruitment team so we can make alternative arrangements.

The next stage will be a formal interview, due to the current situation this is likely to be via a video link. More details of the interview will be provided in the invitation.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

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 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.

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.

Apply and further information

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

Recruitment team, e-mail dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk.

Further information

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

Reference number
76997

Salary
£21,500 – £26,500 dependent on degree level, skills and performance at assessment

Grade
Higher Executive Officer
Dstl Level 4

Contract type
Permanent

Business area
Dstl – Counter Terrorism & Security Division

Type of role
Engineering
Science

Working pattern
Flexible working, full-time, job share, compressed hours

Number of posts
15

Expired