Whether you’re talking about length, mass, time, temperature, electric current, amount or the brightness of light, the National Physical Laboratory sets the standards by which these things are all measured. At NPL, we touch ordinary lives in extraordinary ways and you could too.
About the Role
Research is at the heart of all we do. In this vital role, you’ll help carry out a variety of technical activities that will help us resolve problems we’ve identified, to achieve positive outcomes. It’s very much a team effort. And whilst there’ll be a number of pre-determined activities, we’ll expect you to be proactive too – spotting commercial opportunities along the way. It’s also important that you strive to deepen your subject matter knowledge, sharing this as you go so that everyone benefits – championing your work and its importance. All of which you’ll complete on time, within budget and to the highest standards.
We are now working in a hybrid way, with a mix of remote and office working. We strive to offer a great work life balance - if you are looking for full time, part time or flexible options, we will try to make this work where business possible. This will be dependent on the kind of role you do and part of the business you work in.
About You
The role will be working as part of a team delivering critical work for both research and routine calibration services within the Chemical Dosimetry Group. This team delivers calibration services to many critical UK industrial and medical organisations covering a diverse range of topics such as sterilisation plants for food, medical sterilization and of course PPE to providing assurance through auditing of radiation treatments for cancer therapies.
The work therefore involves carrying out irradiations and read out of dosimeters to a consistently high level of quality, and ensuring that tasks are completed to a high standard and with no errors. You will be working with a team of international experts in dosimetry within the Medical Radiation Science Group.
Whether you are a school leaver, graduate or a more mature person looking for a second career if you have the right motivation, and we think you will fit into our team, we will ensure you have the correct training and support to be successful and fulfilled as a member of a highly motivated and dedicated team delivering services and research for the national good.
Whether you have a science-related degree or ideally some practical research experience carrying out experiments, documenting results and writing up conclusions, a solid background in science and measurement would be ideal but at least a curious outlook and an interest in science are essential. Whilst you will be working closely with the rest of the team the ability to work alone unsupervised is also required. Ideally you would also have some experience of working with radiation, and the safety requirements that this requires.
You need to have experience, or an ability to demonstrate an aptitude for planning and delivering measurements to a high standard of quality, as well as having the potential to explore new ideas and improvements yourself.
Beyond that, we’re looking for someone who’ll thrive in an environment like ours.
At NPL we learn from each other, respect each other and work together to do better, for ourselves and for our customers. And whilst we’re always looking to stretch beyond what we know, we don’t make things more complicated when there’s no need.
Applications will be reviewed, and interviews conducted throughout the duration of this advert therefore we may at any time bring the closing date forward. We encourage all interested applicants to apply as soon as possible.
If you are applying for this position and you have been displaced by the Ukrainian crisis, please apply and emailcareers@npl.co.uk or text 07976873073 highlighting you are applying under the "We support Ukraine" initiative - Ukraine employment support - NPL
About The Company
NPL and BEIS have strong commitments to diversity and equality of opportunity, and welcome applications from candidates irrespective of their background, gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, or age, providing they meet the required criteria. Applications from women, disabled, black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates in particular are encouraged. All disabled candidates (as defined by the Equality Act 2010) who satisfy the minimum criteria for the role will be guaranteed an interview under the Disability Confident Scheme.
We’re transforming. As a national laboratory, we’re exploring even more commercial routes to market and that’s presenting us with greater opportunity – for you and us. Our success relies on the diversity and talent of our people, we strive to nurture and respect individuals to ensure everyone feels valued and supported to excel in their chosen field. This value is at the core of our organisation.
We believe in a culture of fairness by treating everyone on the basis of their own individual merits and abilities regardless of their own or perceived identity, background or any other factor irrelevant to a person’s work. At NPL we are committed to the health and well-being of our employees. Flexible working and social activities are embedded in our culture to create a positive work-life balance, along with a broad range of benefits. NPL’s values are at the heart of what we do and they shape the way we interact, develop our people and celebrate success.
As part of our commitment to diversity & inclusion, we signed up to the Institute of Physics' Project Juno in 2015 as a Juno Supporter. NPL were proud to be awarded Juno Practitioner status in 2018. NPL also joined Stonewall as a Diversity champion in 2015, participating in their annual Workplace Equality Index for the equality of LGBT+ community at NPL. In 2018, NPL became a member of the Business Disability Forum and joined the disability confident scheme as level 1 committed employer.
To ensure everyone has an equal chance, we’re always willing to make reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss, please contact us.