Science and Technology Facilities Council
Salary: £25,397 per annum | Open Ended | Full Time | Closing Date: 14th September 2025
First Aid allowance (after training)
Hours: Full Time (08:00 - 16:00, Monday to Friday)
Location: Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell, Oxfordshire OX11 0DE
Are you looking for a challenging and rewarding security position where you can make a real difference while working in a professional and supportive team? Join the security team at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL), part of the UK's Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC).
As a Security Officer, you will provide a proactive and professional security service, ensuring the sa fety of staff, visitors, contractors, and the world-class scientific facilities on site. This role involves both visible presence and operational vigilance, giving you the opportunity to develop your skills across security, emergency response, and customer service. You will be responsible for any reactive situation that might occur during your shift that will require security response. We're looking for someone with a flexible approach, who is willing to cover additional shifts on overtime as required, and (on occasions) at short notice. Overtime will be paid.
Role Responsibilities
The primary duties will include:
* Deliver a highly visible and professional 24-hour security service to all site users.
* Control access to the site using the Access Control System, verifying personnel and vehicle credentials.
* Operate security control desk functions, including monitoring video surveillance systems, alarm systems, emergency phones, and the International SOS system.
* Conduct internal and external patrols of buildings and perimeters, ensuring compliance with security procedures.
* Respond appropriately to security incidents, intrusions, and emergencies, liaising with site staff and local emergency services.
* Register visitors, issue passes and parking permits and provide general assistance to staff and the public.
* Perform vehicle and personnel searches when required, support special events, VIP visits, and security operations.
* Use IT systems for record keeping, incident logging, and communications in line with GDPR standards.
* Support Estates and Operations teams as required and deputise for the Security Shift Supervisor when necessary.
* Respond to alarms, fire, and other emergencies effectively (after completing required training).
* Promote a positive security culture and adhere to all STFC policies and standard operating procedures.
What we're looking for
Essential
* Full UK driving licence.
* Valid First Aid at Work certificate (or willingness to undertake training).
* NVQ Level 2 in Security or SIA Manned Guarding (or willingness to undertake training).
* Experience dealing professionally and courteously with the public.
* Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
* Be flexible when required during staff shortages.
* Good working knowledge of Microsoft Office.
* Calm, professional, and decisive under pressure, with excellent observation and memory skills.
* Good physical fitness and mobility, including the ability to walk long distances, climb stairs, and respond quickly to emergencies.
Desirable
* Previous experience in security, police, military, or other high-security environments.
* GCSEs in English and Mathematics.
* Familiarity with CCTV, access control, and alarm systems.
* Experience in customer-facing roles in high-profile or scientific settings.
What we can offer you
* 240 hours annual leave, plus bank holidays.
* Excellent pension scheme.
* Fully funded first aid and alarm investigation team training.
* Opportunities to develop skills in security technology, emergency planning, and incident management.
* On-site facilities, including subsidised restaurant, free parking, sports amenities, and wellbeing programmes.
* Staff shopping and travel discounts.
* Cycle-to-work salary sacrifice scheme.
* A professional, supportive, and forward-thinking working environment.
Why join us?
At RAL, you will play a crucial role in safeguarding world-leading research that pushes the boundaries of science and technology. You will work alongside scientists and engineers on projects that make a real difference, from clean energy to space exploration, all while being part of a professional, customer-focused security team that values integrity, teamwork, and personal wellbeing.
Join us and discover what's possible by submitting your CV and covering letter which outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified, along with your motivation for joining STFC and the role.
As this job does not fulfil the UK Government minimum criterion for obtaining sponsored migrant worker status, we will be unable to apply for sponsorship for anyone not eligible to work in the UK. At interview, all shortlisted candidates are required to bring with them identification documents and original documents that prove they hold or can obtain the right to work in the UK. You can check your eligibility here: https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa/y
UKRI - UK Research and Innovation
UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation.
Supporting some of the world's most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation.
More information can be found at www.ukri.org .
Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit benefits of working for UKRI .
How we support EDI in the workforce
At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit 'How we support EDI in the workforce'.
Disability Confident Employer
As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
How to apply
Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the 'experience' section of the application.
UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion - a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.
The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.
The Science and Technology Facilities Council is a world-leading multi-disciplinary science organisation where curiosity-driven, blue-skies thinking meets practical, application-led science and engineering. Our goal is to deliver economic, societal, scientific and international benefits to the UK and its people - and more broadly to the world.
One of Europe's largest research organisations, we're trusted to support, enable and undertake cutting-edge projects in an amazing diversity of fields. Through world-class facilities and people, we're driving ground-breaking advances in science, engineering, computing and technology. Our research seeks to understand the Universe from the largest astronomical scales to the tiniest constituents of matter, yet creates impact on a very tangible, human scale.
For more information about STFC please visit https://stfc.ukri.org/
You can also visit our careers site https://www.stfccareers.co.uk/