Location Andover SP11 8HJ and Sandhurst Camberley GU15 4PQ We are passionate about Smarter Working and believe that a combination of flexible working practices, digital technology and modern workspaces will give you the opportunity to enjoy a healthy work-life balance, while ensuring you deliver your outcomes effectively and efficiently – we expect you to know where to be to have the most impact, balancing your individual needs with that of your team and the organisation. However, recognising the benefits of face-to-face working, there is an expectation that you would be in the office at least 60% of the time (3 days a week). About the job Job summary The Ministry of Defence employs over 50,000 Civil Servants. Within that, the Army Top Level Budget (TLB) employs over 12,000 MOD Civil Servants located at over 300 locations. Ours is a diverse workforce, with roles ranging from trainers, human resources, teachers, and psychologists to storekeepers, financiers, project and programme managers, and policy secretariat staff. There are many different functions and professions delivering key outputs for the Army. We are seeking a scientist with a background in human physiology or similar (e.g., sports science, nutrition) to work within a world-leading research team, the Army Health and Performance Research team. This is an exciting research role where you will be conducting cutting edge human science research to inform Army Health and Performance policies in a rapidly changing environment. The post is an amazing opportunity to develop a scientific research career in human sciences working alongside leaders in their field. The post will require initiative, strong practical laboratory skills, a creative and inquisitive mindset, and an ability to translate scientific findings to support the Army’s ambitions for health, performance, and well-being of its people. The team work flexibly between practical laboratory work at the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst and in military field units. This role is office-based work at Army Headquarters, and remote working. There is a core requirement to lead in-person laboratory and field testing. This position is advertised at 37 hours per week and the location of time spent in office, will be split between Sandhurst, Andover and remote working. Job description The Health and Performance Research Scientist will join a world-leading human sciences team that delivers, publishes, and translates world-leading research to improve the health and performance of service personnel in the UK Armed Forces. Key responsibilities will include: Planning and designing studies, including completing applications for ethical approval. Recruiting, managing, and testing research volunteers. Supporting the running of the human performance laboratories to include maintaining and purchasing equipment and consumables, and developing new methods and procedures. Communicate research findings through technical reports, scientific publications, and academic and end-user presentations. May include line management of other scientists. Person specification We are recruiting for a scientist with research experience and expertise in human physiology (or similar) to design, conduct, and publish research. You will be responsible for planning and delivering this research to inform health and performance policies in a rapidly changing technological and ethical landscape. Essential skills: BSc in a human science discipline (e.g., human physiology, sports science; exercise physiology; sports nutrition). At least 2 years of experience of working independently on human laboratory and field trials, with advanced practical skills in human physiology. Desirable skills: Holds BASES accreditation or are working towards accreditation. Research experience in a military environment. MSc or PhD in a human science discipline. Experience publishing in peer-reviewed journals. Qualifications Hold a minimum of an undergraduate degree in a human science discipline (e.g., human physiology, sports science; exercise physiology; sports nutrition). Behaviours We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: Changing and Improving Delivering at Pace Making Effective Decisions Technical skills We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process: GSE Building and Applying Knowledge (Emerging: Developing and Maintaining Expertise). GSE Communicating Science and Engineering for Government (Emerging: Providing and Handling Evidence). Benefits Alongside your salary of £36,530, Ministry of Defence contributes £10,582 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. The Army prides itself on being a supportive employer and where possible encourages flexible working, helping you to maintain a great work/life balance. Other benefits for Army civil servants include: 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service Highly competitive pension scheme Personal and professional development of skills Alternative working patterns for many roles Access to the Employee Assistance Programme (EAP), a free service that assists you with achieving a productive, healthy environment that is conducive to a healthy lifestyle. Enhanced parental and adoption leave 6 days special leave per year which can be used for volunteering activities Learning and Development We believe that everyone has the potential to make a difference, and you will be supported to help you learn and advance in your career. This includes working towards membership of a professional body and/or undertaking a modern apprenticeship as part of your role. A modern apprenticeship is a combined package of work and training. Through the schemes available you will gain a professional qualification, practical experience, and the broader skills required to develop in your current role and pave the way for your future career. The post does not offer relocation expenses. External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period. Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed. Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts. Any move to MOD from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/. The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments. MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey – We may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Policy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights. Things you need to know Selection process details This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills. At application stage you will be assessed against the following: Your CV Personal Statement - (maximum 750 words), explaining how your personal skills, qualities and experience are in line with the person specification for this role. Behaviour 1 - Changing & Improving Behaviour 2 – Delivering at Pace Behaviour 3 - Making Effective Decisions Applications will be sifted using the Behaviours, Personal Statement, and CV, that have been chosen for this campaign, but in the event of a high number of applicants, a sift will be conducted on the lead behaviour 'Delivering at Pace' Application sifting will be scheduled to take place within 7 days of the application closing date. Interview dates are to be confirmed and will be held in person. We endeavour to keep to these time frames, but these are subject to change around business needs. At interview stage you will be assessed against the following: Behaviour 1 - Changing & Improving Behaviour 2 – Delivering at Pace Behaviour 3 - Making Effective Decisions Technical skills -You will be assessed against: Government Science and Engineering Career Framework (https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/61a605f2e90e07043d677dd0/gse-career-framework-v2.pdf): GSE Building and Applying Knowledge (Emerging: Developing and Maintaining Expertise). GSE Communicating Science and Engineering for Government (Emerging: Providing and Handling Evidence). When choosing your Behaviour examples, please make sure you use real life scenarios that relate to your own experiences. Whilst technology may help to enhance your written submission, presenting the ideas of others or those generated by technology, could result in your application being rejected. The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. If you need to advise us that you need additional help or reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process, please contact: DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk. As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came in to effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical. This role does not meet that category and we will not sponsor a visa. It is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points based system. Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. Security Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window). See our vetting charter (opens in a new window). People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks. Nationality requirements This job is broadly open to the following groups: UK nationals nationals of the Republic of Ireland nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window) nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020 Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window) Working for the Civil Service The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) 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 (opens in a new window). 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 (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window). Apply and further information This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative. Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records. Contact point for applicants Job contact : Name : Thomas OLeary Email : Thomas.OLeary100@mod.gov.uk Recruitment team Email : DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk Further information Please ensure you read the attached candidate information document prior to completing your application. If you are dissatisfied with the service you have received from DBS, or believe that DBS has failed to follow the recruitment process in line with the Civil Service Commission principles of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of Fair and Open competition, you can raise a formal complaint by writing to DBS at the following address: Defence Business Services, Scanning Hub, Room 6124, Tomlinson House, Norcross Lane, Blackpool, FY5 3WP. If after raising your complaint with DBS you remain dissatisfied you can complain directly to the Civil Service Commission at the following address: Civil Service commission, Room G/8, 1 Horse Guards Road, London, SW1A 2HQ Or by email: info@csc.gov.uk. Attachments 20240307-Army Candidate Pack Opens in new window (pdf, 3932kB) Candidate Information Pack Opens in new window (docx, 31kB) MOD Candidate Pack Opens in new window (pdf, 1562kB) Science and Engineering Career Framework Opens in new window (pdf, 5363kB)