Buxton Job Summary The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) is Britain’s national regulator for workplace health and safety. We are dedicated to protecting people and places and helping everyone lead safer and healthier lives. HSE's Science Division is a world-leading provider of health and safety solutions to industry and government. Our Science and Research Centre, based in Buxton, Derbyshire, is the heart of our scientific and technical capability, where the most creative and innovative scientists and engineers can come together to address some of the biggest challenges on the national agenda. The scope of our work requires a diversity of talented individuals, and our capabilities encompass a wide range of topics including fire, explosion, process safety and engineering; occupational and environmental health; risk assessment; work environment; and specialist photographic and analytical services. This breadth of expertise underpins our strength in creating multidisciplinary teams to support HSE’s work on major incident investigations and policy and regulatory development, as well as undertaking high quality research. We have an exciting opportunity for a Senior Risk & Process Safety Scientist to join our Risk team in the Analysis and Risk Capability Group of Science Division. You will apply process safety expertise and risk assessment methodologies to a wide range of health and safety-related applications. You could be involved in assessing risks from new hydrogen facilities or vehicles, reviewing safety cases for major accident hazard sites as they evolve to meet NetZero targets to exploring how AI technology might impact safety within high hazard workplaces. Working pattern Part time working hours are available for this role. We can accept part time applicants who can commit to working a minimum of 30 hours per week. Travel As part of this role there will be some occasional UK and international travel required; this may include travelling for meetings and events. Job Description This is an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and motivated Senior Scientist to join our Risk Team in the Analysis and Risk Capability Group of Science Division. The team carry out a broad range of work including consideration of the safety of carbon capture utilisation and storage (CCUS); blending hydrogen into the natural gas supply network; assessing the safety of on-site experimental work; and technical support for HSE process safety inspectors and other professions within HSE and other government departments. The work carried out by the team is project-based and can vary greatly in nature. Projects may be internally or externally funded, research or support projects, or incident investigations. There is a strong emphasis on team working and collaboration, and you will be expected to work with specialists and technical experts across many other disciplines. Key Responsibilities: Apply process safety and risk assessment expertise to research projects for HSE and externally funded projects. Technical input in appropriate Process Safety topic areas, including hazard identification, process design, pressure-relief sizing, inherent safety and specification of other risk reduction measures. Review and evaluate safety equipment sizing, safety cases, risk assessments and other technical evidence, including in support of regulatory aspects. Develop technical solutions and facilitate workshops for risk identification and management of existing and emerging risks. Report the outcomes of scientific work through writing reports and papers, presentations and providing verbal feedback to customers. Liaise and collaborate with colleagues in other parts of HSE to support multi-disciplinary teams to offer the best possible service to customers Contribute to the development of future work for the Team by seeking opportunities for work for external organisations and developing bids. This is an exciting opportunity for an enthusiastic and motivated Senior Scientist to join our Risk Team in the Analysis and Risk Capability Group of Science Division. The team carry out a broad range of work including consideration of the safety of carbon capture utilisation and storage (CCUS); blending hydrogen into the natural gas supply network; assessing the safety of on-site experimental work; and technical support for HSE process safety inspectors and other professions within HSE and other government departments. The work carried out by the team is project-based and can vary greatly in nature. Projects may be internally or externally funded, research or support projects, or incident investigations. There is a strong emphasis on team working and collaboration, and you will be expected to work with specialists and technical experts across many other disciplines. Key Responsibilities: Apply process safety and risk assessment expertise to research projects for HSE and externally funded projects. Technical input in appropriate Process Safety topic areas, including hazard identification, process design, pressure-relief sizing, inherent safety and specification of other risk reduction measures. Review and evaluate safety equipment sizing, safety cases, risk assessments and other technical evidence, including in support of regulatory aspects. Develop technical solutions and facilitate workshops for risk identification and management of existing and emerging risks. Report the outcomes of scientific work through writing reports and papers, presentations and providing verbal feedback to customers. Liaise and collaborate with colleagues in other parts of HSE to support multi-disciplinary teams to offer the best possible service to customers Contribute to the development of future work for the Team by seeking opportunities for work for external organisations and developing bids. Person specification Essential Skills And Criteria: An in-depth understanding of process safety and risk management methodologies for high hazard industries with significant experience of applying these within an industrial, research or regulatory setting. Experience of delivering or facilitating hazard and risk workshops or studies. Proven experience in leading the delivery of scientific or technical projects. Excellent communication skills, including report writing and presenting to customers. Qualifications A Higher degree (Masters or above) or equivalent such as a Level 7 Diploma or Doctorate within a Science & Engineering topic area relevant to the advertised role - e.g.: Chemical Engineering or equivalent and relevant industry experience including experience of process safety, risk assessments research, Hazard identification and developing technical solutions. (For equivalent experience, please tick yes and provide detail within the CV section of your application) Behaviours We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: Communicating and Influencing Managing a Quality Service Alongside your salary of £55,063, Health and Safety Executive contributes £15,951 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. 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 25 days annual holiday increasing to 30 days after 5 years' service, plus bank holidays and 1-day Civil Service privilege leave 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 such as the Cycle to Work Scheme, E-Gift Cards and Vouchers via our partner EdenRed Selection process details This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience. Application Information As part of your application, you will be invited to complete an anonymised CV which should include your career history and qualifications. You will also be asked to complete an anonymised Personal Statement, of no more than 750 words which demonstrates how you meet the essential skills and criteria of the job advert. Application Guidance Please access the following link for guidance on how to apply and how to complete a Personal Statement https://www.civil-service-careers.gov.uk/how-to-apply/ Sift Information The sift will take place from 24th November when you will be assessed on your CV, and Personal Statement Interview Information Interviews will take place in person from week commencing 8th December in our Buxton office, HSE, Harpur Hill, Buxton SK17 9JN where you will be assessed on the advertised Behaviours as well as your experience. As part of your interview you will also be asked to deliver a 5-8 minute presentation. Further details of the presentation topic will be provided if invited to interview. Please note that sift and interview dates may change due to panel availability. AI Tools & Platforms 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 for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use. Sponsorship This role is not open to application from those who will require sponsorship under the points-based system. Should you apply for this role and require sponsorship your application will be rejected, and any provisional offers of employment will be withdrawn. Further Information Due to the nature of security checks undertaken, applicants must have 3 years continuous residency in the UK up to the date of the application and, Home Office approval for indefinite leave to remain within the UK. Please note that a Reserve List will be held for the period of up to 12 months. There is no guarantee you will be offered a role from our reserve lists, so if you see a vacancy on Civil Service Jobs that you are interested in, we recommend you apply. HSE reserve the right to conduct additional checks, including Google and social media checks, when recruiting candidates into a role within HSE. These checks will be carried out in line with the Civil Service Commission Principles and, if used all candidates will be subject to these additional checks. From 23rd June 2025, if you are successful at interview, as part of your pre-employment checks, HSE’s Recruitment Team are required to check your details against the Internal Fraud Hub (IFH), using your personal details – name, NINO, and date of birth. If you are included on the database, you will be refused employment. If you believe that there has been an error in the inclusion of your data and wish to make an appeal, please contact the CO email box internal.fraud@cabinetoffice.gov.uk. Details of the types of internal fraud/dishonesty covered by this process are defined by the Cabinet Office and can be found here Internal Fraud Register privacy notice - GOV.UK It is the candidate’s responsibility to ensure they are aware of the terms and conditions they will adopt should they be successful in their application. For a summary of HSE terms and conditions as part of Civil Service Reform, please see the attached HSE Terms and Conditions document. Progression through pay ranges is subject to annual pay awards as permitted within annual Civil Service pay remit guidance and negotiations with Trade Unions. HSE is proud to be a part of the Disability Confidence Scheme (DCS). As a Disability Confident employer, we positively welcome applications from disabled people. We are committed to making workplace adjustments to ensure anyone can participate in the recruitment and selection process. If, during the application or interview process, you require any assistance due to a disability or a medical condition, please contact us at the email address below to discuss how we can support you. For example, if you have a disability, and you need an application form in an alternative format or you would like to know more about our recruitment process, please contact: HR.Resourcing-Team@hse.gov.uk If successful in securing your role, HSE can provide suitable workplace adjustments to support you throughout your career with HSE. Any move to HSE 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 here Please note, if you are a current civil servant and you are currently undergoing any of the following formal actions your application will not be progressed any further; Formal discipline action, any formal action regarding attendance, poor performance or any restriction of duties as a result of disciplinary action. Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment. This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience. 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. 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. 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). 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 : David Griffiths Email : david.griffiths@hse.gov.uk Recruitment team Email : HR.Resourcing-Team@hse.gov.uk Further information If you believe that Civil Service Commission principles of selection for appointment on merit on the basis of Fair and Open competition have not been met, you can raise a complaint by emailing: HR.Resourcing-Team@hse.gov.uk or by writing to HSE at the following address: HR Resourcing Team, 2.3 Redgrave Court, Merton Road, Bootle, Merseyside, L20 7HS. If You Are Not Satisfied With The Response You Receive From The Department, You Can Contact Civil Service Commissioners: https://civilservicecommission.independent.gov.uk/code/civilservicecodecomplaints/