Graduate Mathematical Modeller – CBR

Location

Dstl Porton Down.

About the job

Summary

Within the Chemical, Biological and Radiological Division our mission is to support the MOD and 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 Modelling and Analysis Team provide chemical and biological hazard assessment advice, primarily through the use of models, to support operations, advice, policy and research for enclosed and complex environments including buildings, transport infrastructure and military platforms.

The team works on a dynamic range of projects, contributing to a team of specialists delivering critical scientific, analytical and technical advice. We develop and use novel analytical models and techniques and will 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.

This role will sit in a team with approximately eight other mathematical modellers and analysts. The team have a very wide portfolio of projects which range in value from £10k through to £1m and most team members work on at least 2–3 different projects to ensure the development of knowledge and skills in a broad range of topics. Each project will draw staff from not only within the team but others across the group or Division and so it is expected the role will have an element of networking across the lab. Collaborative work with MOD, OGD, UK industry and international partners.

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.

Job description

In this role you will:

• Work with others to deliver to projects within the team by using logical thinking and problem solving skills to solve difficult technical problems and presenting these to technical leaders in the most appropriate format (discussions, spreadsheets, databases, reports, e-mail).
• Exercise good judgement to reach evidence based conclusions and decisions supported by analysis.
• Provide a scientific contribution to customer deliverables in the form of reports and presentations.
• Support the objectives of the team by contributing to team meetings and wider activities across Dstl.
• Provide senior technical leaders with support in maintaining, developing and using the group’s models.
• Build up expert knowledge in a number of technical areas and network both within your capability area and across capability boundaries.
• Communicate complex mathematical modelling ideas to various audiences.

Responsibilities

We are looking for someone who has:

• The ability to take responsibility for their own work and plan their work to meet project timeframes.
• The desire to apply their technical understanding to solve problems which are unfamiliar to them.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills.

Qualifications

Essential
A degree qualification in a relevant degree (i.e. quantitative science, technology, engineering or mathematics subject) or equivalent experience.

Desirable
A post-graduate qualification in the subjects listed above.

Skills

Essential

• A strong attention to detail.
• Excellent communication skills.
• A dedication to learning new skills and working within a multi-disciplinary team.
• Able to organize workload.
• Agility to respond to changing demands.
• Aptitude for building relationships
• Using knowledge, experiences and networks to solve complex problems.

Desirable

• Experience of scripting using Python (or similar)
• Understanding of fluid dynamics

Experience

Essential

• Experience of mathematical modelling.
• Experience of working as part of a team and independently, as you will be required to undertake analysis independently and still work effectively in a scientific team.
• Experience in using Microsoft Office package (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, Outlook) for data analysis, technical reports and presentations.

Desirable

• Having some knowledge of the UK armed forces.
• Experience of using computational fluid dynamics software.
• Experience of multizone indoor air or building energy modelling.
• Experience of building and other enclosed space ventilation.

This role will require full UK security clearance and you should have resided in the UK for the last five 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.

Behaviours

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

• Working together
• Developing self and others
• Making effective decisions
• Managing a quality service
• Delivering at pace
• Seeing the big picture

Technical skills

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

• Please list your degree modules and include a short explanation of which ones you enjoyed the most and why.
• Please detail your knowledge of mathematical modelling.
• Please give an example of some modelling you have undertaken.
• What transferable skills can you bring from elsewhere in your work/life/extra-curricular activities which you feel might be relevant for a role at Dstl?

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 application process you will be required to successfully complete two Civil Service Sift Tests, Verbal Reasoning and Numerical Reasoning. You MUST complete this test before you are able to complete the full application form so please do so as soon as you can. The test won’t be available on 15 November between 4.00 p.m. and 7.00 p.m.

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

Due to current circumstances interviews are likely to be held via video links. Interviews will assess your behaviours and experiences in relation to the requirements detailed in the attached job description.

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 email dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk stating the nature of the issue. We will respond within five working days.

Salary
£21,500 – £26,478, dependent on degree level, skills and performance at assessment

Grade
Higher Executive Officer
Dstl Level 4

Contract type
Permanent

Business area
Dstl – Chemical, Biological & Radiological Division

Type of role
Analytical
Science

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

Expired