Dstl
Senior Underwater Signatures & Control Scientist

How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
Job Summary
The Underwater Systems and Operations Delivery Team delivers a diverse and technically demanding programme of work, which provides acoustic capability in the Underwater Battlespace for UK Defence and its international partners.
Within the team you will use your knowledge and experience to work closely with industry, academia, and international partners to design, develop, test and demonstrate mathematical or physical models for the prediction and understanding of acoustic signatures, and acoustic signature control solutions, to maintain UK advantage in the underwater battle space. This work has a high impact on MOD decision-making for current and future Royal Navy platforms during a time of accelerated development of underwater science and technology and demands a commitment and willingness to learn new skills and knowledge and a strong desire to apply this learning for the benefit of defence and security.
You will join a group that is at the forefront of underwater acoustics science and technology and holds a unique position with unparalleled opportunities across a wide range of defence applications to develop world-class acoustics scientists.
Job Description
This role requires collaboration with other government departments, agencies, industry and academia. Within the team you will have the opportunity to shape and drive your future career and become an expert in your field.
In This Role You Will:
- Engage with customers/stakeholders effectively to develop UK MOD's submarine signatures capability – accountable to the internal Dstl programme and its wider MOD stakeholders.
- Provide technical leadership of research and development projects to meet MOD's short, medium and long-term capability goals – accountable to the internal Dstl program
- Engage and work in a cross-cutting manner across Dstl as required. Collaborate with the UK's international partners to support MOD long term goals.
For more information on the job profile, see the job profile attached below.
Person Specification
You will hold an honours degree or masters (or equivalent recognised professional/vocational qualification) in a scientific, numerical or engineering discipline. You will have a strong scientific background and proactive approach to problem solving and the ability to work innovatively. You will be a strong communicator and have excellent interpersonal skills.
For more information on the essential criteria for this role, please see the job profile attached below.
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
See breakdownIt searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
Qualifications
Essential
- Degree in Mathematics, Physics or Engineering.
Desirable
- PhD in a relevant scientific discipline
Memberships
- Membership of a professional body/bodies is welcomed but not a prerequisite. Note that Dstl currently supports membership fees for two professional bodies.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Delivering at Pace
- Making Effective Decisions
- Communicating and Influencing
- Leadership
Benefits
Alongside your salary of £41,431, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory contributes £12,002 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
Dstl’s full range of great benefits can be found in the information pack which includes:
- Financial: An excellent pension scheme starting from 26% employer contribution. In Year Rewarding Achievement bonuses and thank you vouchers. Rental deposit scheme and cycle to work scheme.
- Flexible working: Options include alternative working patterns such as; compressed hours (e.g. working a 4 day week/ 9 day fortnight), job shares and annualised hours (agreed number of hours per annum paid monthly i.e. working term-time only).
- Working hours: Flexibility around your working day (e.g. start time, finish time). Ability to bank hours in a 12 month reference period including the ability to accrue and use 3 days per calendar month.
- Where you work: Depending on your role, blended working may be available including remote working to suit you and your team. This can be discussed at interview.
- Annual leave: 25 days pro rata (rising to 30 after 5 years) plus 8 public holidays with the ability to buy/sell 5 additional days per annum.
- Family: Maternity, adoption or shared parental leave of up to 26 weeks with full pay, an additional 13 weeks statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid
- Learning and Development: Dstl encourages and supports charterships, accreditations and provides employees access to fully funded apprenticeships up to level 7 (Masters Degree). Dstl will pay for 2 memberships with relevant bodies/institutions. Employees also have access to Civil Service Learning.
- Facilities: Onsite parking, EV Charging points, restaurants, cafés and gyms.
Selection Process Details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.


Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
If at any stage of the application process you would like help or assistance please contact the Dstl Recruitment Team dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk.
If you are a current Dstl employee you must ensure your line manager is aware of your application and the potential situation regarding release dates.
At the application stage, we will assess your submitted application against the essential criteria set out in the job profile.
Sifting will take place from the 3rd November with interviews to be arranged from the 17th November, interviews will take place face to face at Dstl Porton Down.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is developed vetting. See our vetting charter.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard checks.
Nationality Requirements
Open to UK nationals only.
This job is not open to candidates who hold a dual nationality.
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles.
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans initiative.
Contact Point for Applicants
Job Contact:
- Name: Dstl Recruitment Team
- Email:
dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk
Recruitment team
- Email:
dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk
Further Information
Should you wish to raise a formal complaint about the Dstl recruitment process you should email dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk stating the nature of the issue. We will respond within 5 working days.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London