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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 creates and provides innovative science and technology solutions to support counter terrorism and security operations. CTS Division is able to do this because of its strategic partnerships with Industry and Academia (both UK and abroad) coupled with its niche technical capabilities and close working relationship with its key customers.
As a result, the Division is focused on Homeland and rest of world Counter Terrorism operations. The Division has an outstanding track record of operational impact by the exploitation of science and technology. We are looking for graduates who want to develop their expertise while delivering high-impact, high-reward research to help protect the UK from current and future threats.
CTS Division is split in to 8 groups/capability areas. There are roles available spanning most groups, while your role will be in a specific group but there will be opportunities for placements in other groups inside and possibly outside the division.

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

In this role you will

Work on a wide variety of projects, no one day is the same- working at the forefront of Defence and Security research.
Will solve real world problems for real world customers. Quite simply, this is work that you cannot do anywhere else.
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

Energetics Analysis Group (EAG) delivers science and technology, technical support and expert advice on the detection, identification and characterisation of explosive substances and related materials. The group also provides a non-explosive detection and analysis capability in support of UK the Home Office, Policing and Borders using a variety of x-ray and chemical expertise.

Exploitation and Biometrics (EBG) homes the UK Defence Exploitation Facility (UK DEF), Digital Forensics for Law Enforcement and Forensics and Identity for Law Enforcement capabilities.

Emerging Concepts and Technologies Group (ECTG) directs the Divisions activities in novel and Future Facing technologies to the benefit of the CT community. ECTG’s vision is to Generate and drive the future focussed STEM gateway.

Energetic Technologies Group (ETG) lies in the science of propellants, explosives and pyrotechnics. The work is delivered through a variety of ways from research and development (computer-based, workshop-based, lab based) pulling on a variety of expertise often culminating in trials.

The newly formed EW&C Group holds technical authority for a number of key capabilities on behalf of Defence, primarily around the operational use of Electronic Countermeasures for protecting UK personnel from the threat of IEDs and to a lesser extent other RC threats. In addition to ECM, the Group includes capabilities for Electromagnetic Compatibility (ensuring that systems do not interfere with other systems), Electronic Warfare and Directed Energy Weapons, supporting both Military and OGD communities.

The Sensing and Surveillance Group (SSG) provides support to operations and advice on command, control, communications, computing, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (C4ISR), and related science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

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.

For the full list of skills and experiences relevant to to this role please see the attached job profile at the bottom of the page.

Important Information

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.

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.

Individuals within DSTL who hold dual nationality and currently hold the required clearance level may apply. If found suitable for the role further security discussions will need to take place before a formal offer can be made.

Work location

Dstl is strongly encouraging blended and flexible working either at one of our sites or from home or both. We want to empower you to undertake your duties at the most appropriate location for the task, however you will be allocated a Dstl site as a base. You may be required to travel to other Dstl and MoD sites as required.

Qualifications

For these posts you will need a degree in a STEM subject, for example:

Audio Expertise
Artificial Intelligence /Machine Learning
Chemistry
Communications Engineering
Computer Science
Cybernetics
Digital Forensic Techniques or Forensic Science
Electronic or Electrical Engineering
Embedded systems and software defined radio expertise.
Information Science
Mathematics
Mechanical Engineering
Operational Research
Physics
RF Engineering
Robotics
Software Engineering
Statistics
Systems Engineering

Behaviours

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

Working Together
Delivering at Pace
Communicating and Influencing
Developing Self and Others
Seeing the Big Picture

Technical skills

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

Please state the title of the degree you are studying and list the modules that you are taking
Please list your top 3 technical areas of interest and include a short explanation of why you enjoy these. This is not necessarily your highest scoring modules, but more the ones you have a passion for or ones you continue outside of university.
What transferable skills can you bring from your university/work/life/extra-curricular activities which you feel might be relevant for a role at Dstl?
Please provide an example of a technical challenge you have overcome and how you approached solving it.

Benefits

We'll provide a great range of benefits including;

Fully flexible working, including alternative working patterns, annualised 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 37 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 2 weeks full pay.
Chartership and accreditation support.
Pension.
Generous annual leave, with the ability to buy and sell up to 5 days holiday per year.
Onsite gyms and restaurants.
Staff discounts for high street and online shopping, restaurants and days out.

Our Diversity Networks

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

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.

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, Experience and Technical skills.

For full details and the behaviours required for this role, please see the attached job profile at the bottom of this page.
We are aiming for bi-weekly sift and interviews but we are going through a large growth period at the moment, so if you do not hear back with in two weeks please do not worry your application will be looked at, we are just experiencing a very busy period at the moment so it may take us abit longer to get back to you.

Dstl aims to attract the best talent. We recognise 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.

If you are a current Dstl employee, you are encouraged to inform your line manager of your application as they can support you through the process and should you be successful it will help in negotiating a release date.

We actively encourage and welcome applications from those who work alternative working patterns (part-time, job share, term-time only etc.). Please be prepared to discuss this if you are selected for interview. You can also discuss your working pattern with the recruiting line manager or talent acquisition adviser at the application stage if preferred.

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 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

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.

Counter Terrorism and Security STEM Graduate 2022