Acoustical Oceanography Scientist
The Physical Sciences Group (PSG) is looking for a motivated and talented individual with a background in physical oceanography and interest in acoustics. The successful applicant will also have an enthusiasm for scientific research and its real world applications to deliver acoustic and environmental capability in the Underwater Battlespace for UK Defence and its international partners.
The Acoustical Oceanographer will conduct research and help develop tools to enable the Royal Navy (RN) to achieve information advantage through a tactical understanding of the environment. Research will involve utilising real world measurements from unmanned vehicles, on-board sensors, remote sensing, and float data in combination with modelled environmental products. Using modelling and trials you will help ensure that the effects of mesoscale and sub-mesoscale oceanography on acoustics and other aspects of RN operations, as well as sensor and platform performance are well characterised. This work will be used to aid RN operators in tactical decision-making.
You will be accountable to the internal Dstl research programme and its wider Ministry of Defence (MOD) stakeholders to develop the UK MOD’s underwater acoustics capability. To deliver this you may be required to work in cross-cutting project teams within Dstl as well as partners in other government departments, industry, and academia. As you progress you will use your expertise to advise and support decision makers throughout Defence procurement and Navy Command.
This work has a high impact on MOD decision-making for current and future Royal Navy platforms during a time of accelerated development of underwater science and technology and demands a commitment and willingness to learn new skills and knowledge and a strong desire to apply this learning for the benefit of Defence and security. The individual will join a group that is at the forefront of underwater acoustics science and technology and holds a unique position with unparalleled opportunities across a wide range of Defence applications to develop world-class acoustics scientists.
Dstl recognises the importance of diversity and inclusion as people from diverse backgrounds bring fresh ideas. We are committed to building an inclusive working environment in which each employee fulfils their potential and maximises their contribution.
We particularly welcome female and ethnic minority applicants and those from the LGBTQI community, as they are under-represented within Dstl at these levels.
Job description
In this role you will:
- Engage with customers/stakeholders effectively to develop UK MOD's sonar and underwater acoustics and oceanography capability – accountable to the internal Dstl programme and its wider MOD stakeholders
- Provide technical leadership of research and development projects to meet MOD's short, medium and long term capability goals – accountable to the internal Dstl programme
- Engage and work in a cross-cutting manner across Dstl as required.
- Collaborate with the UK's international partners to support MOD long term goals.
- Develop new solutions, provide technical advice, and support delivery on the MOD’s Submarine Survivability project.
- Develop new solutions, provide technical advice, and support delivery to the MOD’s Sonar Performance Modelling project.
- Develop new solutions, provide technical advice, and support delivery to the MOD’s Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) and Mine Countermeasures (MCM) sonar project.
- Support the development of algorithms for sonar detection, classification and localisation
- Support the development of methods for ocean-acoustic understanding.
- Support the delivery of high impact studies in support of Navy Command and wider MoD
Person specification
We are looking for someone who has:
- A solid understanding of mathematics and/or physics.
- Some experience in acoustics, fluid dynamics, ocean-acoustics, or a related area.
- A strong interest in working on underwater acoustics and related underwater system technologies and a willingness to learn.
- A strong interest in developing their knowledge of RN platforms, sonar, and technologies.
- Experience of model development.
- Experience in data analysis.
- Experience of programming in programming language such as Python, Matlab or similar.
- Strong interpersonal skills and willingness to work with external research suppliers in industry and academia and with international partners.
- Self-motivated and demonstrated ability to work under own initiative
Technical competencies:
Essential
- A degree level qualification in physical oceanography or physics
- A high level of physical intuition and a strong appreciation/capability for mathematics and physics
- A strong interest in working on underwater acoustics and related underwater system technologies and a willingness to learn
- A strong interest in developing your knowledge of RN platforms, sonar, and technologies, including unmanned underwater vehicles
- Experience in data analysis
- Experience of programming in programming language such as Python, Matlab or similar
- Strong interpersonal skills and willingness to work with external research partners in industry and academia
- The ability to confidently communicate the importance of complex scientific concepts to non-technical decision makers
- Self-motivated and demonstrated ability to work under own initiative
Desirable:
- A relevant PhD or equivalent professional experience
- Experience in underwater acoustics
- Knowledge of underwater environmental and acoustic sensing techniques
- Knowledge of oceanographic modelling
- Experience with advanced data science techniques
- Knowledge of the Royal Navy and Ministry of Defence
- A background in planning, executing, and delivering project work
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. For some roles Developed Vetting will also be required, in this case you should have resided in the UK for the past 10 years.
Qualifications
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Seeing the Big Picture
- Making Effective Decisions
- Leadership
- Communicating and Influencing
- Working Together
Benefits
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: Working options include alternative working patterns, compressed hours, job shares and annualised hours
- Flexible working hours: Ability to bank hours in a 12 month reference period including the ability to accrue and use 3 days per calendar month.
- Annual leave: A generous annual leave allowance starting at 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: Encouragement and support on charterships, accreditations and access to fully funded apprenticeships up to level 7 (Masters Degree). Paid memberships with 2 relevant bodies/institutions. Employees have access to Civil Service Learning.
- Facilities: Onsite parking, EV Charging points, restaurants, cafés and gyms.
The information pack can be found attached to the job specification on Civil Service Jobs.
Diversity
We have a number of support networks to ensure all employees feel supported at work. These include the following:
- Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Network
- Race, Faith and Culture Network
- Parents and Carer Support Network
- Alternative Working Network
- Gender Equality Network
- New Starters Network
- Enabled Network, for people with visible and non-visible disabilities.
For further information about Dstl please check out our LinkedIn page
Things you need to know
Selection process details
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.
Sifting will take place week commencing 29th May with interviews to be arranged from the 14th June
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
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).
Nationality requirements
Open to UK nationals only.
This job is not open to candidates who hold a dual nationality.
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).
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