UK Health Security Agency
Principal Radiation Protection Scientist
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Chilton (Didcot) - Scientific Campus
Job Summary
We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.
UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.
The UKHSA Radiation, Chemical, Climate and Environment (RCCE) Hazards Directorate protects the public from chemical, radiological and environmental risks, providing expert advice, research and emergency response as a Category 1 responder. Within this, the Radiation Dosimetry Department delivers authoritative advice on optical radiation, electromagnetic fields (EMF), and ionising radiation in medical imaging. Its work includes calibration facilities, exposure assessment, dosimetry research, health risk evaluation, standards development, training, and international collaboration, as well as supporting COMARE.
The Electromagnetic Fields Dosimetry (EMFD) Group focuses on assessing exposure to EMF from technologies such as mobile phones, base stations and power lines. It acts as the UKHSA national contact point for EMF public health advice, contributing to research, policy, standards, and environmental monitoring. The group also develops assessment methodologies, measurement infrastructure, and supports operational services. Its work is based in two Chilton laboratories dedicated to exposure assessment and dielectric research, and involves high-volume, time-sensitive correspondence.
The role leads the group’s research and advisory activities, primarily in radiofrequency EMF, while also covering other frequencies. It involves scientific leadership, rapid response to complex enquiries, contributions to standards and policy, and deputising for the Group Leader.
Job Description
UKHSA’s Radiation, Chemical, Climate and Environment (RCCE) Hazards Directorate provides advice, research and services to protect the public from chemical, radiological and environmental hazards. It supports UKHSA’s role as a Category 1 responder to radiation and chemical emergencies and delivers specialist assessment, alongside research including work with NIHR Health Protection Research Units.
The Radiation Dosimetry Department provides public health advice on exposure to lasers and optical radiation, electromagnetic fields (EMF), and ionising radiation in medical imaging, and serves as secretariat to COMARE. Its work includes calibration facilities, dosimetry research, exposure assessments, standards development, training, and collaboration with national and international bodies.
The Electromagnetic Fields Dosimetry (EMFD) Group assesses exposure from EMF technologies such as mobile phones, base stations and power lines. It leads UKHSA’s advice on EMF health impacts, contributes to regulations, conducts research and monitoring, develops exposure assessment methods, and supports measurement infrastructure.
Based in Chilton, the Group operates two laboratories and manages high volumes of time-critical work. This role leads research and advisory activities, mainly at radiofrequencies, and supports the Group Leader.
- Initiate, plan, lead and deliver specialist research or advisory projects on electromagnetic field (EMF) exposure, including experimental and numerical dosimetry, managing others as required.
- Lead development and maintenance of UKHSA advice on EMF exposure, including website content.
- Prepare scientific reviews for UKHSA publications and provide consultancy input and secretariat support to advisory committees (e.g. COMARE).
- Provide advice on NSIPs and respond to enquiries from officials, the public, industry and stakeholders.
- Support the Group Leader with management duties, including health and safety risk assessments, audits and business development.
- Maintain numerical simulation platforms, including updates and upgrades.
- Manage specialist measurement facilities and equipment for experimental dosimetry, ensuring safe use and supervising others.
- Produce scientific reports and peer reviewed publications.
- Deliver presentations at national/international conferences, training courses, and represent UKHSA externally.
- Support UKHSA emergency response, typically as an operations support manager within RCCE emergency cells.
- Occasional irregular hours and UK/overseas travel required.
- Undertake other reasonable duties as required.
- Job description may be reviewed in line with organisational needs.
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PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT
- Identify and address development needs through appraisal and training.
- Complete all mandatory training (e.g. fire safety, information governance).
KEY WORKING RELATIONSHIPS
The post holder will engage with a wide range of internal and external stakeholders, including:
- Regular interaction with Group Leader, Head of Department and RCCE staff.
- Frequent engagement across RCCE Directorates, other departments and Health Protection Operations.
- Stakeholders including government departments, devolved administrations, industry, local authorities, NHS and professional bodies, often acting independently.
- Members of the public within their area of expertise.
- Equipment suppliers and contractors.
- National and international organisations in radiation protection; occasionally acting as sole UKHSA or UK representative with a high degree of autonomy.
Person specification
Essential Criteria
- Qualification to PhD level in an appropriate scientific or public health / health protection discipline or equivalent experience in electromagnetic field (EMF) dosimetry, radiation physics, bioelectromagnetics, or a closely related scientific discipline, demonstrated through a substantial track record of independent research, peer-reviewed publications, and recognised technical expertise.
- Post-doctoral experience sufficient to undertake experimental and numerical EMF dosimetry research with minimal input from line management.
- Theoretical and practical knowledge within the area of experimental dosimetry, sufficient to be acknowledged nationally and internationally.
- Experience in scientific project management and co-ordinating collaborative work with UKHSA and non-UKHSA scientists.
- Extensive experience in publishing scientific reports and peer-reviewed papers.
- Experience in giving presentations at national /international scientific meetings and conferences.
- Ability to interpret and explain the relevance of empirical findings in a wider multidisciplinary context for discussion at meetings, conferences and publication in the peer-reviewed literature.
- Experience in planning and execution of complex scientific projects, identifying and managing risks appropriately.
- Confident and proficient in the use of scientific data analysis software.
- Working knowledge of Information Governance i.e. freedom of information and data protection.
- Able to manipulate equipment and perform experiments in the EMF laboratory.
- Able to operate a DSE workstation.
- Able to load/unload measurement equipment from vehicles when performing surveys.
- Current full UK driving licence and ability to drive vehicles to off-site locations.
- An understanding of and commitment to equality of opportunity and good working relationships.
Desirable Criteria
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- Theoretical and practical knowledge within the area of numerical dosimetry, sufficient to be acknowledged nationally and internationally.
- Experience in the appropriate use of specialised EMF measurement equipment, including network analysers, spectrum analysers and field probes.
- Experience in the use of specialised EMF numerical simulation platforms, including device and process design and interactions with anatomical phantoms.
- Comprehensive understanding of the health and safety aspects of running an experimental dosimetry laboratory.
- An understanding of risk management in the context of health and safety legislation.
- Broad knowledge of a wide range of Health protection/Public health related topics.
- Knowledge of QA procedures and audits.
- Training/experience in emergency response.
Salary Information
Alongside your salary of £58,340, UK Health Security Agency contributes £16,901 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).
Learning and development tailored to your role
An environment with flexible working options
A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
A Civil Service pension with an employer contribution of 28.97%
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours/Strengths/Experience/Technical skills.
Stage 1: Application & Sift
You will be required to complete an application form. You will be assessed on the listed 15 essential criteria, and this will be in the form of a:
- Application form (‘Employer/ Activity history’ section on the application)
- 1500 word supporting statement.
This should outline how you consider your skills, experience and knowledge provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with reference to the essential criteria.
You will receive a joint score for your application form and statement. (The application form is the kind of information you would put into your C.V –please be advised you will not be able to upload your CV. Please complete the application form in as much detail as possible). Please do not email us your CV.
In the event of a large number of applications we will longlist into 3 piles of:
- Meets all essential criteria
- Meets some essential criteria
- Meets no essential criteria
If used, the piles ‘Meets all essential criteria’ and ‘Meets some essential criteria’ will proceed to shortlisting.
In the event of a large number of applications we may conduct an initial sift, on the lead criteria of:
- Qualification to PhD level in an appropriate scientific or public health / health protection discipline or equivalent experience in electromagnetic field (EMF) dosimetry, radiation physics, bioelectromagnetics, or a closely related scientific discipline, demonstrated through a substantial track record of independent research, peer-reviewed publications, and recognised technical expertise.
- Post-doctoral experience sufficient to undertake experimental and numerical EMF dosimetry research with minimal input from line management.
- Experience in planning and execution of complex scientific projects, identifying and managing risks appropriately
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