Fibres and Minerals Scientist Part Time

Health & Safety Executive

At the Health and Safety Executive, we believe everyone has the right to come home safe and well from their job. That’s why our mission is to prevent work-related death, injury and ill health.

We are recruiting an enthusiastic and motivated Scientist to join our Fibres & Minerals Team. Specifically, your role will be key to enabling the continuation of essential research to support the implementation and evidence base for HSE’s Control of Asbestos Regulations.

The Benefits

• Salary of £30,167 – £33,346 per annum
• Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 28.97%
• Flexible working arrangements, including part-time options and compressed hours
• 25 days’ annual holiday, increasing to 30 days after 5 years’ service, plus bank holidays and Civil Service privilege leave
• Family-friendly policies that support your work-life balance, including parental leave benefits and carer-friendly policies
• Access to the Cycle to Work Scheme and discounts on E-Gift Cards via our partner EdenRed
• Continuous learning and development opportunities tailored to your role, including leadership and technical skills development
• A dynamic and inclusive work environment where diversity is valued and everyone’s voice is heard

The Role

We are seeking a motivated scientist that will be committed to maintaining current levels of capability and has the ambition to develop further with the ability and desire to become a technical expert in the field of asbestos and silica exposure measurement.

Upon joining the team, you will be required to study for and pass the British Occupational Hygiene Society (BOHS) Proficiency Modules; P401 Identification of Asbestos in Bulk Samples by PLM P401 and P403 Air Sampling and Fibre Counting. You will also have the opportunity to work towards the BOHS Certificate of Competence in Asbestos.

Additionally, you will:

• following and working to health, safety, quality and wellbeing policies and procedures.
• being disciplined in operating within set standards; being precise and using your attention to detail; holding yourself and others accountable in producing accurate and error free quality outputs.
• analysis and investigations using optical microscopy, electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction and other techniques.
• developing and improving analytical methods and instrumentation within the subject of hazardous fibres, dusts & minerals.

About You

• excellent communication and engagement skills for day-to-day working at all levels; weekly/monthly liaisons with senior staff; scientific discussions with wider HSE colleagues, commercial customers and members of the public.
• excellent organisational skills and preparedness for planning, scheduling and undertaking laboratory work and site visits, to maximise time and productivity, whilst ensuring delivery to time, cost and quality.
• experience of adapting to situations and variations in workload; being flexible and versatile whilst maintaining efficiency.
• the ability to work both as part of a team and autonomously across boundaries of the Science Division and rest of HSE, promoting cross-functional team working and effective communication to identify solutions and ensure work can be delivered.
• the ability to follow and work to procedures, with attention to detail.
• experience of using software packages, including Office 365, Microsoft Word and Excel. You will have the ability to use bespoke software packages.
• knowledge of mineral analysis and microscopy techniques.
• desire & motivation to continue to learn and develop skills and knowledge.

Licences

A full driving licence that enables you to drive in the UK is essential. However, HSE is willing to consider any proposals put forward by applicants that would allow them to do the job by another means.

Qualifications

A degree or equivalent in a relevant science discipline (geology, earth sciences or equivalent, please contact the job contact for more information).

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.

We offer a guaranteed interview scheme for all disabled applicants who provide evidence of meeting the minimum requirements necessary for the post.

If you would like more information on this role, please apply through the button shown.