Science and Technology Facilities Council
Salary: £51,242 to £56,366 per annum (depending on experience)
Hours: Full-time
Contract Type: Permanent
Location: Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Didcot, Oxfordshire OX11 0DE
Closing date: 26th March 2025

About us:
Together, our scientists, technologists, engineers and support services explore the unknown and turn what they find into work that changes the world around us. Whether it’s sending probes into space or finding new ways to treat cancer, everyone here plays a vital role in making a positive difference to society. Come and discover how much you can achieve when you’re surrounded by world-leading experts, encouraged to constantly learn and empowered to explore your curiosity.

Part of UK Research and Innovation (UKRI), the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) is a world-leading multi-disciplinary science organisation. We support university-based research and provide access to world-leading, large-scale science facilities across the physical and life sciences from our three national laboratories. We’re committed to keeping the UK at the forefront of world-changing science and this requires excellence across all our support services.

STFC's Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL) in Oxfordshire is an international hub for scientific research and technology development in the UK. The research spans particle physics, laser and space science to neutron science and quantum computing. The RAL site is undergoing an unprecedented expansion, with numerous new science facilities and buildings being constructed or developed to host these science programmes.

About the role:

A vacancy exists in the STFC Safety Health Environment (SHE) Group at RAL at Harwell near Oxford. The RAL SHE Group support the new and exciting science programmes and the buildings being constructed for them, including the National Satellite Testing Facility (NSTF), Extreme Photonics Application Centre (EPAC), and National Quantum Computing Centre (NQCC). Reporting to the RAL SHE Group leader, this is a key role that will underpin the development and delivery of STFC SHE policies and management systems at RAL and across STFC.

In a small team, this appointment is an opportunity for the STFC SHE Group to add specific skills and experience. We are particularly interested in a H&S specialist with a strong construction safety background to complement our present expertise in hazards typical of science laboratories and workshops. Experience in electrical safety would also be of interest.

List of Duties / Work Programme / Responsibilities

Provide professional SHE advice and guidance to management, employees, tenants, and science facility users and support them in discharging their responsibility for the implementation of the STFC SHE Management System.
Support development of the STFC’s documented SHE Codes based upon experience of internal application, audit findings, external best practice, and legislative changes identified through horizon scanning.
Manage and develop the provision of effective, efficient and professional SHE services to STFC site based staff, contractors, tenants, visitors and users.
Ensure that all RAL SHE incidents, including injuries, near misses, fires, environmental and vehicle incidents are reported, investigated appropriately and actions established to minimise the likelihood of their repetition. Sharing STFC wide learning appropriately.
Monitor and audit the effectiveness and efficiency of the SHE Management System and its policies and procedures, both at the RAL Laboratory and other STFC sites as appropriate.
Communicate and liaise closely with the key stakeholders in the STFC SHE Management System, particularly safety and environment committees, trade union safety representatives, Departmental Safety Contacts, those appointed to key SHE roles, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and emergency services.
Prepare and deliver STFC-specific online and face-to-face SHE training programmes.

Other requirements

Available to work and travel in the UK and abroad; and
Available to work flexibly, including occasional out of normal working hours or weekend working or telephone contact.

Contacts and Communication

The post holder will engage with STFC staff from scientist/engineer through to Department Director, primarily on the RAL site but depending on work being undertaken across STFC sites.
As a small specialist team the post holder will engage with all members of the STFC SHE Group.
The post holder will engage with all regulatory authorities from a health and safety perspective for the RAL site (with the exception of engagement on radiation matters), including the local fire brigade, environmental health, and the Health and Safety Executive (HSE).

Shortlisting Criteria
Essential

Educated to degree or HND level in a science or engineering discipline
Demonstrable experience of successful delivery of a SHE Advisory role in laboratory, science, engineering, technology sectors, electrical or construction sectors
NEBOSH Diploma, or equivalent qualification, or evidence of commencement and part completion of Diploma or equivalent qualification
A working knowledge of current and forthcoming changes to UK SHE legislation relevant to STFC
Strong oral and written communication skills
Evidence of excellent interpersonal skills deployed with staff at all levels from Operator to Manager and Director.
Strong IT skills and specific experience of the Microsoft Office software suite.
Proactive with a high degree of self-motivation and independence, able to deliver under pressure and against tight deadlines.
There will also be a requirement to visit and work at other STFC sites as appropriate to the individual’s responsibilities within the STFC SHE Management System.

Desirable

A good knowledge of SHE management systems and safe systems of work.
Background knowledge of construction/engineering safety managements
Experience planning, undertaking and reporting SHE audits
Successful development and delivery of face to face and/or on-line SHE training
Good knowledge of fire safety management
Good knowledge of electrical safety management.

STFC values their employees by offering a benefits package designed to provide an excellent work/life balance including 30 days’ annual leave, 10.5 public and privilege holidays, flexible working hours, exceptional average salary pension scheme, social and sporting activities and societies and a subsidised restaurant.

Join us and discover what’s possible by submitting your CV and covering letter which outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified, along with your motivation for STFC and the role.

About The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)

The STFC is a world-leading multi-disciplinary science organisation where curiosity, blue-skies thinking meets practical, application-led science and engineering. Our goal is to deliver economic, societal, scientific and international benefits to the UK and its people – and more broadly to the world.

As one of Europe’s largest research organisations, we’re trusted to support, enable and undertake ground-breaking projects in an outstanding diversity of fields. Through world-class facilities and people, we’re driving progressive advances in science, engineering, computing and technology. Our research seeks to understand the Universe from the largest astronomical scales to the tiniest constituents of matter, yet creates impact on a very tangible, human scale.

For more information about STFC please visit https://stfc.ukri.org/

You can also visit our careers site https://www.stfccareers.co.uk/

About UK Research Innovation (UKRI)

UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation.

Supporting some of the world’s most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation.

More information can be found at www.ukri.org.

How we support EDI in the workforce

At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit ‘How we support EDI in the workforce’.

Disability Confident Employer
As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.

How to apply
Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the ‘experience’ section of the application.

UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion – a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.

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