National Physical Laboratory (NPL)
Higher Scientist - Informatics
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About the Role
At NPL, we are looking for an experienced scientist with a real passion for tackling some of the biggest challenges in industry, energy, the environment, and healthcare to join our Informatics group within the Data Science & AI department. As a Higher Scientist, you'll be expected to acquire new knowledge to find solutions to advance our research, build our capability and provide impact to our clients through project delivery.
The work conducted within the Data science & AI department responds to the national challenges of:
- Prosperity: delivering measurement solutions to maximise innovation and prosperity in advanced manufacturing
- Security and resilience: managing the risks to our national security and resilience infrastructure
- Environment: science-directed measurement solutions for environment climate action and a sustainable future
- Health: supporting healthcare, life science and the bio economy
You will be working on data-based projects through practical and theory-based learning in the field of data engineering by developing semantic web technologies, ontologies, knowledge representation, knowledge graphs and Natural Language Processing to support data used in a range of complex systems.
As a Higher Scientist, you will collaborate with a variety of teams, both internal and external to NPL, within academic, industrial and governmental sectors, and at national and international levels. You will be expected to use logical thinking skills for designing and following a work plan, along with developing technical documents including scientific publications. Additionally, you will contribute to project idea generation, bidding support and consideration of digital products and services that could be built upon your research.
The role can be based at either of our Glasgow and Cambridge hub offices, or at our main Teddington (London) site with occasional travel required between these three sites. Additional opportunities to travel both nationally and internationally will become available as part of your role in delivery projects, collaborating with partners, and through conference attendance.
About You
We are seeking an experienced Higher Scientist to work on data engineering aspects of Informatics. You will understand how data science works within areas such as semantic technologies, ontologies and knowledge representations / graphs, and have an appreciation of how the subject is being researched, how it can be implemented through software tools, and its impact within real-world applications.
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To be successful in the Higher Scientist role, you will have the following skills and qualifications:
Education
- PhD (desirable) / Bachelor / Master's in computer science, software engineering, physics, mathematics or an applicable scientific / technical field
Proficient
- An object-oriented programming language, e.g. Python, Java, C#
- Working with relational database systems, e.g. MySQL, Oracle, PostgreSQL
- Working with Git version control system
Desirable
- Interest in metrology and scientific research
- Web application development framework, e.g. Flask, React, Spring
- Experience in data modelling and data architecture
- Experience in working within scientific domains
- Demonstrable interest / experience in semantic web technologies, ontologies, knowledge representation, knowledge graphs or Natural Language Processing
- Experience in accessing and exposing data through Rest APIs, e.g. through application of FastAPI, OpenAPI etc.
- Experience in RDF, OWL, SPARQL
- Experience with graph databases (e.g. GraphDB, Neo4J)
- Knowledge of existing ontologies such as Schema.org, PROV-O, QUDT, SOSA/SSN
Personal
- Proven ability to work in a team to achieve a common goal, with good communication, presentation and collaboration skills
- Enjoy problem solving and can demonstrate critical thinking, assessing the pros and cons of your approach
- Experienced in writing scientific technical reports
- Ability to complete work which requires a high level of attention to detail
- Understand the value of providing good customer service, delivering high quality work and proactive communication
- Committed to your personal development and taking on learning opportunities to get the most from the role
- Be eligible to live and work in the UK at the time you start employment (we cannot provide visa sponsorship at this time)
We actively recruit citizens of all backgrounds, but the nature of our work in specific departments means that nationality, residency and security requirements can be more tightly defined than others. You will be asked about this throughout the recruitment process. To work at NPL, you will need to obtain BPSS security clearance.
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However, to work in this role in the Data Science & AI department, you will need to have a current SC clearance, or you must have the ability to obtain an SC clearance.
Please note: 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 practical.
About Us
The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is a world-leading centre of excellence that provides cutting-edge measurement science, engineering and technology to underpin prosperity and quality of life in the UK.
NPL and DSIT 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 and 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.
At NPL, we believe our success is a result of the diversity and talent of our people. We strive to nurture and respect individuals to ensure everyone feels valued by treating everyone on the basis of their own individual merits and abilities regardless of their own or perceived identity, as part of our commitment to diversity & inclusion, we hold memberships and accreditations to ensure we’re creating an environment where all our colleagues feel supported and welcome, please see our Diversity & Inclusion page.
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. Our values are at the heart of what we do, and they shape the way we interact, develop our people and celebrate success.
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.
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