Synthetic Chemist

Provision of defence and security advice to UK government on chemical warfare agents (CWAs) and emerging threat chemicals relies on the ability to synthesise them safely and securely at Dstl and to then assess their hazard, working across scientific disciplines. The synthetic chemistry research capability at Porton Down provides the scientific evidence that predicates the UK’s chemical defence posture and its support to the Chemical Weapons Convention.
Dstl is seeking to recruit Synthetic Chemists to join the Chemical, Biological and Radiological (CBR) Division’s Synthetic Chemistry Team. This role will support chemical defence research carried out in the Chemical and Operational Readiness Group. Extensive in-house training will be provided to prepare for the synthesis of
acutely toxic chemicals as part of the role. You will have the opportunity to work on a range of projects from routine chemical synthesis through to fundamental research.
We particularly welcome female and ethnic minority applicants and those from the LGBTQI community, as they are under-represented within Dstl at these levels., + Prepare and purify a range of compounds, some of which will be pharmacologically[1]active and acutely toxic.
+ Work to the highest safety standards and meet appropriate quality standards.
+ Produce high quality written reports and manage your time effectively across multiple
+ projects to work to agreed delivery dates.
+ Provide scientific expertise to a range of projects across Dstl, both in and out of the laboratory
+ Provide clear and precise presentations and written and verbal updates on project
+ outcomes to collaborators and customers.
+ Network with specialists internal and external to Dstl to seek developments in technical
+ areas relevant to chemical defence and security and use these networks to encourage
+ and cultivate innovation and exciting chemical discoveries
+ Develop an understanding of and ensure strict compliance to, the relevant policies and
+ treaties associated with the work you will conduct (i.e. Chemicals Weapon Convention
+ and the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons).
+ Work effectively as a member of a team, meeting set objectives.
Important Information
Our work in defence, security and intelligence requires our employees to be UK Nationals who are able to gain a high level of security clearance to undertake the projects we are involved in to protect us from security threats. For this reason, only UK Nationals will be able to apply for this role. If you are an international or dual-national candidate, and you think you have the skills we need, please consider applying to any of our government, security or defence partners.
This role will require full UK security clearance and you should have resided in the UK for the past 5 years., This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.
We want you to have your best chance of success in our recruitment process, so If at any stage of the application process you would like help or assistance please contact the Dstl Recruitment Team dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk and we will do all we can to support you.
Sift will be completed by 19th November and interviews held 2nd and 3rd December 2024
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.

+ An interest in applying practical based experience (e.g. organic and asymmetric synthesis of pure compounds, working safely with acutely toxic and/or pharmacologically-active chemicals, use of various separation techniques) into a defence and security context.
+ Familiarity with widely used characterisation techniques such as GC-MS, LC-MS and NMR.
+ Creativity within the research and development area, who works effectively and at pace.
+ A desire to understand new emerging technologies (convergence of the sciences) and how these might serve to improve internal capability and shape research to counter any threat these may impose.
+ An ambitious, hard-working demeanour and enjoys working with others across different fields.
+ An eagerness to expand science and technology networks, working with external partners where possible, and developing collaboration across international communities, + Chemistry degree qualification with evidence of practical
Essential Skills
+ Experience of working in a chemistry laboratory and the working practices required to perform the safe and secure synthesis of toxic materials.
+ Experience in a range of synthetic methodologies with some evidence of undertaking multi-step syntheses and purification.
+ A working knowledge of common characterisation techniques such as GC-MS, LC-MS and NMR along with the ability to assign and interpret spectra.
+ The ability to work well and communicate (written and verbal) within a team.
Experience Essential
+ Implementing known/reported multi-step synthetic routes, including modifications for structural diversity or improved outcomes (e.g. yield) in order to successfully synthesise target compounds to cross-disciplinary project teams.
+ Working to strict Health and Safety protocols and role modelling safe working.
+ Ability to use electronic databases and literature searching methods (e.g. Web of Science) and (e.g. SciFinder) against set requirements in order to develop improved knowledge and understanding.
+ Good understanding of chemical synthesis and organic chemistry, properties of chemicals (including how to safely plan work with hazardous chemicals), practical techniques (including experience of separation and purification of compounds, e.g. by recrystallization, column chromatography), and spectral methods for analysis of synthetic products (e.g. liquid and gas chromatography, NMR spectroscopy, Infrared spectroscopy and mass spectrometry)., A degree or higher degree in Chemistry, + Delivering at Pace
+ Working Together
+ Managing a Quality Service
+ Communicating and Influencing

Alongside your salary of £29,001, Defence Science and Technology Laboratory contributes £8,401 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
Benefits
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 (find out more here). 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 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.