You will deliver asbestos related regulatory, forensic and investigative projects requiring asbestos expertise, ensuring high scientific standards in the generation, interpretation and communication of technical evidence. You will provide expert advice to regulatory, operational and policy colleagues, supporting evidence-based decision making and contributing to the development of technical guidance and policy.

For the foreseeable future, a significant proportion of the role will involve external site based project delivery activities across Great Britain. As such, practical experience of asbestos surveys, duty-to-manage activities and clearance testing are essential to for the role.

You will produce high-quality scientific outputs, including reports, publications, presentations and contributions to conferences and, play an active role in sharing knowledge, mentoring colleagues and supporting the development of technical capability across the team.

The role requires you to plan, manage and prioritise your workload effectively to ensure timely delivery, in accordance with quality systems, health and safety procedures and HSE’s governance requirements.

This role involves working with asbestos in both controlled laboratory environments and during site-based activities. You will be required to wear close-fitting respiratory protective equipment (RPE) when carrying out certain tasks and must therefore be able to successfully complete face-fit testing. You will also be required to undertake relevant health surveillance or medical assessments necessary to meet statutory and organisational requirements for working with asbestos.

Key Responsibilities

As a Senior Scientist in the field of Fibres & Minerals at HSE, your key responsibilities will include, but will not be limited to:

• Applying asbestos knowledge to support workplace exposure assessments, regulatory requirements, incident investigations and enforcement work.
• Delivering asbestos-related site and laboratory based research, including incident investigations and sampling activities.
• Working with asbestos in both laboratory and site environments, including the use of close-fitting respiratory protective equipment (RPE), completing face-fit testing and undertaking required health surveillance and medical assessments.
• Generating, analysing and interpreting technical and scientific data to support regulatory, forensic and investigative activities.
• Communicating scientific findings and technical advice to regulatory, policy, operational and external stakeholders.
• Collaborating with colleagues across HSE to deliver high-quality research, investigative and technical work.
• Ensuring compliance with quality systems, governance requirements, laboratory procedures and health and safety standards.
• Training to become an HSE Nominated Asbestos Person for asbestos related site activities.

Training and Health requirements

This role involves working with asbestos in both controlled laboratory environments and during site-based activities.

You will be required to wear close-fitting respiratory protective equipment (RPE) when carrying out certain tasks and must therefore be able to successfully complete face-fit testing. You will also be required to undertake relevant health surveillance or medical assessments necessary to meet statutory and organisational requirements for working with asbestos.

You must be willing to undertake the training required to become an HSE Nominated Asbestos Person (NAP) for asbestos-related site activities. This includes training in asbestos enclosure entry, exit and decontamination.

Person specification

Essential Skills and criteria

• Demonstrate practical site experience of asbestos surveys, duty-to-manage activities and clearance testing and/or asbestos management activities
• Demonstrate practical experience of delivering site and/or laboratory based work to investigate workplace exposures or support regulatory, forensic or investigative activities, including the generation, validation and interpretation of analytical or research data
• Experience of applying technical or scientific knowledge to support workplace investigations, regulatory activities, incident investigations or evidence-based decision making
• Experience of communicating technical and/or scientific information through reports, publications, presentations or other methods to technical and nontechnical audiences
• Ability to plan, prioritise and deliver work independently whilst managing competing demands
• Ability to work collaboratively within multidisciplinary teams, follow documented procedures, maintain scientific and quality standards, undertake continuing professional development. You must also be willing to undertake the training required to become an HSE Nominated Asbestos Person (NAP) for asbestos related site activities. This includes training in asbestos enclosure entry, exit and decontamination.

Licences

A full UK driving licence at the time of applying, is required for this role, as you will be expected to travel to sites and transport equipment and samples as part of your duties.

Qualifications

• The BOHS Certificate of Competence in Asbestos or a combination of recognised asbestos qualifications and professional experience that demonstrates equivalent competence in asbestos surveying, duty-to-manage activities and clearance testing.
• A degree in a suitable scientific discipline, such as chemistry, materials science, environmental science, geology, forensic science, or a related subject.

Behaviours

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

• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together

Technical skills

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

• Conducting and managing asbestos site work: Applying asbestos knowledge to assess, investigate and manage workplace asbestos risks in a range of site environments.
• Adapting to challenging site situations: Planning and delivering asbestos-related site work safely and effectively, including adapting to changing site conditions whilst maintaining scientific and quality standards.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £47,686, Health and Safety Executive contributes £13,814 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

We invest in our people with;

• Competitive rates of pay
• Access to the highly competitive Civil Service Pension Scheme to which HSE contribute 28.97% far more than in the private sector
• Family friendly policies and working hours to help balance your home life and career
• Carer friendly policies to help create a supportive working culture
• 185 hours annual holiday increasing to 222 hours after 5 years' qualifying service, plus public holidays and 1-day Civil Service privilege leave (recorded as 7.4 hours) in addition to your annual leave balance)
• Parental leave benefits
• As a member of HSE you will gain access to a wide range of fantastic benefits that you can take advantage of