Field Scientist Hemel Hempstead 2024

Every minute of every day, in nearly every country across the globe, Smiths Detection people and technology make the world a safer place. We safeguard people, business and infrastructure with the latest innovations and screening technology for aviation, ports, borders, defense, and security across 55 countries around the globe

Life at Smiths 

• Global leader: We impact critical systems every day with sites in 17 countries and six centers of research excellence. From pioneering to powering life-changing innovation, we’re delivering threat detection and screening solutions to safeguard the world from threat
• Digital growth: A key part of our capability is the integration of digital technology across our business and our operations in more than 55 countries, will be critical to our continued success
• Exciting opportunities: Our growth is creating exciting opportunities to work with experts in physics, chemistry, electronics, mechanics, production, computer science, and AIML
• International environment: With some projects, work requires global collaboration and the potential to travel and grow with the business

The role

We have an exciting opportunity here at Smiths Detection for a Scientist to join our Technology Projects team on a 12 Month Fixed term contract basis. Working from our Hemel Hempstead Production site, this really is a fantastic opportunity to join an expanding team where you will play an integral part in providing scientific expertise and support, covering items such as technology and product development and support for current/future chemical, explosives and narcotics detection products. You will also be instrumental in the planning and execution of experiments, analysis of data and instrument/experimental design.

Educated to University level, the ideal candidate must have proven ‘hands-on’ experience in the lab. You will work in close collaboration with the scientific community within Smiths Detection and with engineering functions as and when required, liaising with Project Management and other business functions as necessary. Excellent communication skills and the ability to interact effectively with colleagues at all levels is essential.

Security clearance capability is required to undertake this role.

Responsibilities

• Provide scientific input to the design, build and testing of experimental equipment.
• Plan and conduct original research for the purposes of design and performance enhancement.
• Critically appraise experimental data and theory and provide guidance based on interpretation of data.
• Identify gaps and propose additional work.
• Contribute to project planning and review activities.
• Support scientific aspects of products throughout their lifecycle.
• Manage own time and work with a high degree of autonomy. May lead work of a technician.
• Provide support to off-site trials and tests.
• Work in accordance with local company policies and procedures.
• Provide hands-on support and up-to-date technical advice to Technical Authorities, Programme and Product Managers, at proposal, design specification, development, testing and production stages and assist in bid preparation.

The individual

• Analytical instrument design and operation knowledge, Ion mobility spectrometry desirable, but not necessary.
• Demonstration of experimental and data analysis skills.
• Proposes innovative ideas for original research.
• Excellent communication skills; ability to interact effectively with colleagues at all levels.
• Must be a motivated and self-starting individual capable of driving themselves to succeed in project goals as part of a multi-disciplinary project team.
• Able to successfully carry out projects/assignments of reasonable scope.
• Suggests and contributes to determining general approach and specific solutions to technical problems
• Basic knowledge of other related disciplines.
• Frequent use and application of technical standards, principles, theories, concepts, and techniques.
• Provides solutions to a variety of technical problems of moderate scope and complexity
• Plans, progresses and delivers required work from instructions
• Able to work independently day-to-day, makes recommendations based on results and recognizes when to review or escalate.
• Well organized and adaptable, able to prioritize tasks and work effectively as part of a team.
• Makes contributions to determining feasibility of achieving goals/objectives
• Follows established procedures, makes suggestions on how to develop solutions

Diversity inclusion

We believe that different perspectives and backgrounds are what make a company flourish. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment regardless of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, economic status, disability, age, or any other legally protected characteristics. We are proud to be an inclusive company with values grounded in equality and ethics, where we celebrate, support, and embrace diversity.

At no time during the hiring process will Smiths Detection, Smiths Group, nor any of our recruitment partners ever request payment to enable participation – including, but not limited to, interviews or testing. Avoid fraudulent requests by applying jobs directly through our career’s website (www.smithsdetection.com/careers) or LinkedIn.