Defence Science andTechnology Laboratory

UnexpectedCareers

Contents

4 About dstl

7 Defence and Security Analysis (DSA)

8 Platform Systems (PLSD)

9 Counter Terrorism and Security (CTS)

10 Cyber and Information Systems (CIS)

11 Chemical, Biological and Radiological (CBR)

12 Enabling Divisions

15 Student Placements

16 Apprenticeships

18 Graduates

20 dstl Benefits

22 Case Studies

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I studied integrated Masters in Physics (MPhys) at University of Southampton and I am a graduate physicist in the Space and Sensing Systems Group. I mainly work on the future of Electro-Optic and Infrared projects. Alongside my job I am active in the civil service sports council and have recently took part in the Inter-Departmental Offshore Regatta (IDOR). This is a week-long series of yacht races competed by teams of 8 from different departments of the civil service!

Tom, CIS Graduate

I knew I wanted to undertake an apprenticeship when I left college. Being an apprentice at Dstl, a leading organisation in science and technology, is very interesting and great to be part of. I highly recommend the apprenticeships the organisation has to offer.

Ashley, Associate Project Manager

Dstl is growing and more roles are becoming available giving employees more options to change roles and experience different areas of the business. I feel there are many opportunities for me to be able to progress my career.

Hannah, Business Administrator

At Dstl there are so many different projects, with the chance to work across departments, you can soon find something that interests you.

Scientist Platform Systems

The Operations Division enables a safe and secure level of functioning within Dstl, making it an integral aspect of the business. I enjoy being part of the division because I feel like I can make a difference to the delivery of Science and Technology projects, even at a distance from the front line.

Emily, Delivery Support Assistant

I have gained experience and a qualification at Dstl, whilst having an opportunity to work on real life projects that truly make a difference. I work alongside international renowned scientists in vital microbiological research for government, home office and the armed forces.

CBR Lab tech apprentice

The Lab covers so many different areas, a genuine myriad of capabilities, that whatever your strengths, or expertise, you will be able to find a career in the Lab.

Ben, DSA graduate

I’ve lead the development of a high impact UK capability, establishing us as a world leader in this field and making me a worldwide technical expert. I’ve worked at air force bases in the UK and US and taken off from the same airfield as an F35 and other military aircraft. I’ve taken control of my own career path and made it what I want it to be.

CTS Scientist

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Analysis Systems Weapons

C4ISR Human Capability

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CBR Integrated Survivability

Cyber

The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (dstl) is at the heart of the UK’s defence and security capabilities, ensuring that our vital and unique innovative science and technology contribute to current and future challenges. dstl is all about innovation and creativity. We’re responsible for designing, developing and applying the very latest in science and technology to protect the UK. We provide the UK expertise in a spectrum of engineering and scientific fields. We work with the best people with the best ideas, and apply them in unexpected ways, much of which is operationally critical with the potential to save many lives.

We work at the forefront of defence and security research and innovation, a dynamic and rapidly evolving environment. Taking technology and push it to its limits, using creativity and innovation to solve real world problems for real world customers. Quite simply, this is work that you cannot do anywhere else.

Crucially, we work with other brilliant people – collaborating with everyone from small companies and world-class universities to large defence companies and other nations. Together, we develop battle-winning technologies, based on deep and widespread research, to support UK military operations now and into the future.

Our vision is to be sought out across government, industry and academia because we champion innovation and ensure intelligent decisions at the heart of the UK Defence and Security community.

We draw on expertise and innovation from industry, academia and international partners to develop and provide a broad range of impartial evidence-based analysis and human science advice. This enables us to support high priority decision-making on critical policies and to evaluate exciting new defence and security capabilities.

Our roles give you the opportunity to: Work on a dynamic collection of projects delivering critical scientific, analytical and technical advice and solutions

Have a real impact on the decision making at the heart of Government

Support the design and procurement of essential battle winning capabilities for the Army, Royal Navy and Royal Air Force

Work with partners in industry, academia and internationally to develop and use innovative tools and techniques

What skills do we look for? Operational Research Human and Social Sciences

Maths Software Engineering

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PLSD

Build your experience in a wide range of projects across air, maritime and land environments and in a variety of specialist capability areas such as weapons, survivability and systems engineering

Work as part of a team to develop and deliver scientific, analytical and engineering solutions to the UK’s defence & security issues

Collect, manage and analyse data within your projects from a wide range of sources e.g. literature, trials, experiments, modelling, surveys, and including that obtained from academia and industry in order to inform future decision making

Develop novel and bespoke tools, models and techniques to solve challenging new problems

Develop an understanding of the fundamentals of project management to enhance technical delivery

Communicate your project results to dstl’s customers in a form which non-scientists can understand to an agreed standard

Conduct trials and experimentation to inform decision making

Input into all stages of the procurement cycle from requirements capture to in service support

We respond to current and future demands, ensuring that the UK retains a battle-winning advantage, whilst engaging across the wider science and technology enterprise to deliver cutting edge solutions and enhance UK prosperity. We provide support to the Ministry of Defence and other government departments in a broad range of groundbreaking technical research areas. This allows us to deliver our Armed Forces’ requirement for capable missile systems, armoured vehicles, aircraft, warships and sub-systems thereof – known collectively as “Platforms”.

What skills do we look for? Engineering Physics Maths Computer Science

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Looking for a role that’s diverse and unique? From forensics and radars to animal behaviour and explosives, we’ve got an action-packed opportunity for you.

Working for the Ministry of Defence, the Home Office and other Government Departments, we support groundbreaking technical research areas and provide unique services to respond rapidly to operational demands and ensure that the UK retains an operational advantage.

We are responsible for ensuring the government has up-to-date skills and capabilities to understand and defeat terrorist threats. We provide the UK expertise in a spectrum of engineering and scientific fields and you’ll be working at the forefront of defence and security research and innovation, a dynamic and rapidly evolving environment.

Our roles give you the opportunity to:

Work within a complementary team of specialists to deliver scientific, analytical and engineering solutions

Collaborate, nationally and internationally, on field trials and in laboratory testing, to support the delivery of scientific evidence

Develop broad networks across the world with external partners, academic institutes and government departments

Drive your career, with great opportunities to gain new skills and qualifications, work with field-leading experts and ensure your working life is never boring

Chemistry

Biology / Ecology

Animal Behaviour

Electronic or Electrical Engineering

Systems Engineering

Communications Engineering

Software Engineering

Engineering Mathematics

Mechanical Engineering

Computer Science

Maths

Physics

Machine Intelligence

Forensic Science

Information Science

What skills do we look for?

CTS

Our roles give you the opportunity to:

Our Chemical, Biological and Radiological (CBR) division is the UK’s centre of excellence for chemical, biological, radiological and medical sciences and technology within government. We provide an integrated capability, delivering longer term research as well as short term advice and consultancy and support both the Front Line Commands and wider government.

Our roles give you the opportunity to: Participate in scientific research

Work as part of a research team on a variety of projects

Plan and execute studies to ensure that high quality data is recorded

Interpret data from experimental studies to inform decisions and recommend actions

Communications scientific findings form studies to a host of stakeholders

Maintain and develop your own technical competencies

What skills do we look for? Chemistry Physics

Biology Software Development

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Graduates to support the development of the UK’s space, intelligence and cyber capabilities. Use your skills and knowledge to support the Ministry of Defence’s science and technology programme in a relevant area to your skillset. Alongside your specialist expertise, we’re looking for individuals who think systematically, creatively and sometimes deviously.

Our roles give you the opportunity to: Apply your technical skills and knowledge in lab-based research, practical technology projects, or military systems evaluation

Collaborate as part of a complementary team to develop and deliver scientific, software or engineering solutions

Develop a rounded skill set through challenging and complex responsibilities

You can expect to be deployed on a range of projects from supporting UK military operations to protecting national infrastructure

What skills do we look for? Physics

Mathematics or Digital Signal Processing

Quantum

Aeronautical/Astronautics Engineering

Electronic or Electrical Engineering

Data Science

Artificial Intelligence

Systems Engineering

Communications Engineering

Software Engineering

Computer Science

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Divisions

Alongside our five science and technology divisions, we have four enabling divisions who support the running and operational side to dstl.

Operations:The Operations Division encompasses a number of key business enabling operations and is responsible for the safe and secure operation of dstl. This includes Internal Portfolio, Knowledge and Information Services, Operational Risk, Commercial and Facilities Management Services. The Division is also responsible for the complex programme delivery central to our future operating model and success as a world-leading Science and Technology (S&T) delivery organisation.

Finance, Planning and Governance:The purpose of the Finance, Planning and Governance Division is to manage and oversee all aspects of financial management within dstl. They develop dstl’s corporate strategies and plans to maintain and operate the governance framework within dstl. This includes dstl’s approach to risk management, to oversee dstl’s corporate performance regime, and to deliver a complete Intellectual Property management service for dstl.

People Engagement & Communications:The focus of the People, Engagement and Communications Division is our people and how we communicate what we do both internally and externally. The Division will ensure we hire the best people, develop all our people through interesting and varied work and where appropriate training. The Division is also the home of HR, meaning we ensure we engage our people with a clear mission, a great work experience and a good benefit/support package. We are committed to communicating with our people clearly and in a timely manner and with our customers, the wider defence and security enterprise.

Strategy, Portfolio & Capability:dstl’s Strategy, Portfolio and Capability Division acts as an interface between our five scientific divisions and Defence Science and Technology (DST), to develop effective programmes and capability plans. The Division owns organisational strategy and leads integrated S&T planning, S&T portfolio delivery, strategic engagement and capability stewardship across the Lab on behalf of the Chief Executive.

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At dstl we offer a wide range of student placement opportunities from across the STEM spectrum and increasingly in our support areas such as commercial, finance and operations.

If you are looking for a placement year as part of your degree course or looking for a summer job, you won’t find a more interesting and varied experience than work at dstl.

Industrial PlacementsThis is a unique 50 week placement bursting with hands-on, practical lab-based tasks and in-depth insightful research work. Thanks to the demand of the projects you’ll be working on, you can expect to be stretched, tested and pushed in some unexpected ways. From day one, you’ll contribute to ground-breaking projects in teams of experienced engineers, analysis and scientist form across an exciting range of areas.

Summer PlacementsLasting between 10-12 weeks our summer placements are a great way to get your first feel of a professional working environment. You’ll be joining a team of experienced scientists and engineers, where you’ll be given real responsibility from day one. It’s a chance to gain experience and develop and hone skills like team-working, organisation and presenting all of which will hold you in good stead for both your future academic work and career. We aim to help expose you to as much of our organisation as possible so you make the most of your summer with dstl.

What’s the salary?Our student placement salary is £16,436 per annum (pro rata). Once you join us you could then be eligible to enrol on one of our Sponsored Student Scheme. Depending on the sponsorship dstl will provide you with a bursary and a graduate job upon completion of your degree.

What skills do we look for? Engineering

Maths

Cyber

Physics

Computer Science

Chemistry

Human and Social Sciences

Finance

Management/Business

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Why choose an Apprenticeship?An apprenticeship is a great way to earn while you learn in a real work environment, doing a real job. An apprenticeship allows you to gain nationally recognised qualifications, at the same time as developing your own personal skills like teamwork, problem-solving and innovating. Unlike a university degree your employer will pay for your apprenticeship so there is no need to worry about tuition fees and student debts.

What we offerdstl runs a range of apprenticeships across several levels. This ranges from level 2 administration apprentices right up to degree level apprenticeships in Ordnance, Munitions and Explosive. Each of our apprenticeships are very different but all involve a level of academic learning, this could range from e-learning and workshops to regularly attending college or training environments.

Depending on which apprenticeship you are considering will depend on the entry level requirement, however across all our apprenticeships you must be a UK national and over 18 due to the security limits around the work done at dstl.

While our Apprenticeships aren’t the same every year here are some recent ones

Electrical Engineering (Level 3)

Data Analyst (Level 4)

Public Sector Commercial (Level 4)

Embedded Electronics (Degree Level 6)

Commercial (level 4)

Laboratory Technician (Level 3)

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Busting some myths around apprenticeships…

Apprenticeships are just for people who want to be a plumber or a builder.Recently apprenticeship opportunities have exploded in terms of both careers and levels. Now you can complete an apprenticeship in everything from administration to cyber security.

It’s easier to get a job as a graduate with a degree.Competition for graduate jobs can be fierce, according to the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development 59% of graduates ends up working in a non-graduate job. On average 89% of dstl apprenticeships move into a permanent role at the end of their course.

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Our graduate roles pay scale:At dstl we operate a pay system ranging from levels 1-9. As a graduate you will join us as a level 4. Within our levels we have development zones, and as a graduate you will start in one of our graduate development zones (G3-G1). The zone attributed to you is determined by how well you demonstrate your knowledge and experience during your interview. Once you have joined us you will have regular chances to move through the development zones by achieving targets set with your line manager. Our minimum graduate salary is currently £21,500. Make sure you stay up to date with our graduate roles by connecting with us on LinkedIn. Our Graduate roles go live in September.

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Here at dstl we recruit over 100 graduates every year across our divisions. We have yearly graduate opportunities in Defence and Security Analysis, Counter Terrorism and Security, Cyber and Information Systems, Platform Systems and Project Management.

Our graduate roles will give you the opportunity to: Work on a dynamic collection of projects delivering critical scientific, analytical and technical advice and solutions.

Work with partners in industry, academia and internationally to develop and use innovative tools and techniques.

Develop a round skill set through challenging and complex responsibilities.

Develop an understanding of the fundamentals of project management to enhance technical delivery.

Communicate your project results to dstl’s customers in a form which non-scientists can understand to an agreed standard.

Join a unique company and community doing the work you can’t do anywhere else alongside some of the best brains in the business.

What skills do we look for?Each of our divisions will look for different attributes, if you think you have any of the below skills we could have the job for you.

Engineering (Systems/ Communications/Software/ Mechanic/Aeronautical/ Electronic or Electrical)

Maths/Mathematics

Physics

Human and Social Science

Chemistry

Information Science

Data Science

Artificial Intelligence

Project Management

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PensionsAll new dstl employees are eligible to join the civil service Alpha pension scheme. If you are already in the civil service and part of either the Classic or Classic Plus pension scheme we will continue to support you in that scheme.

Inclusivity and supportWe are committed to building an inclusive working environment in which each employee fulfils their potential and maximises their contribution. We have a number of support networks to ensure all employees feel supported at work. These include the following;

Sexual Orientation and Gender Network

Faith and Culture Network

Parents and Carer Support Network

Alternative Working Network

Gender Equality Network

New Starters Network

Enabled Network

Training and development Chartership scheme – sponsored by mentors from across the business

Fellowship scheme – recognising people who make an outstanding contribution

Internal support – providing further advice and support

Secondment opportunities – with industrial and academic partners in the UK and abroad

Career level reviews – helping you to progress though the organisation

Networking events – learning about other areas of the business

WellbeingOur sites are equipped with gyms, cafes and restaurants.

Parental leaveWe are family friendly,

we offer and support shared parental leave.

OpportunitiesWe have opportunities

for everyone, offering a range of roles from entry

to senior level.

FlexibilityWe believe in work-life balance and we support flexible working, this includes flexi-time which

allows you to accrue time that you can then take off

when needed.

DiscountsWorking at dstl means you are eligible for a Defence Discount

Service card. Get discounts across stores, restaurants,

venues and more.

HolidaysJoin dstl and you’ll be entitled to

25 days’ annual leave (pro rata), increasing to 30 days

after 5 years’ service, plus 8 bank holiday days.

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Protecting our troop’s hearing Operating in an armoured fighting vehicle can be loud and stressful, it is important to ensure that troops have the best hearing protection to preserve their hearing and provide situational awareness on the battlefield.

As part of the programmes to upgrade our armoured vehicle fleet dstl was tasked with measuring noise exposure to crews operating armoured fighting vehicles and assessing crew headsets for fit and function.

PLSD Graduates were involved in supporting the trials work for this project which involved:

Observing live firing and training exercises of Challenger 2 and Warrior

Fitting microphones to vehicles, both internally and externally, as well as to the tank crews themselves, and ensuring data was recorded correctly

Talking to military personnel about their experiences with headsets and noise inside the vehicles

Analysing data collected during the trial and reporting this to Army HQ

Evidence collected by the team has now informed the Army’s future headset requirements for its fleet of armoured vehicles, including the multi billion AJAX and the multi million Challenger 2 Life Extension Programme, as well as changes to training regulations for armoured vehicles.

This work will result in state-of-the-art hearing protection and communication technologies, improving operational effectiveness and preserving auditory fitness for duty.

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Saving lives: Analysis to improve operational medical capability planningUnderstanding potential numbers of casualties, alongside the effectiveness of current defence medical capabilities in different operating environments, is vital to ensuring our deployed forces have access to the right medical facilities at the right time, enabling improved treatment times and ultimately improved survival rates.

Our Defence & Security Analysis Division delivers high impact analysis to support Defence Medical Services, and are recognised and relied upon by the defence community to provide robust advice.

Our medical analysis has directly supported ongoing operations and exercises by undertaking urgent reachback requests via military headquarters. For example, in August 2016, MOD personnel were planning to deploy to the Al Assad Airbase in Iraq to train and mentor Iraqi Security Forces. We conducted analysis to provide improved casualty rates for UK deployed personnel, enabling the medical planners to scale their medical facilities to meet this demand.

Our medical analysis was also used to support Op GRITROCK during the Ebola crisis. RFA Argus was stationed in Sierra Leone at this time, and our analysis of her capability showed that the facility could be used to treat a wider range of casualties than previously thought, potentially improving the survival rates of a greater number of civilian and military casualties.

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PHAROS is a novel approach to Space-borne Synthetic Aperture Radar. It is 80 x 80 x 100cm and provides 1cm resolution imagery to ground or air receivers. Our graduates have been working on multi-static SAR where ‘no photon is left behind’. You see, conventional SAR relies on energy reflecting from a target back to the sensor. Most of the radar energy however is scattered by the target away from the source of illumination – this is an effect that ‘stealthy’ targets rely on. So, a series of ‘Multi-static’ receivers located away from the source of illumination are combined to provide finer image quality (givingbetter automated exploitation), better detection of low-observable targets and covert observation (invulnerable to jamming or spoofing). And on top of all that, being radar, it’s all-weather, day or night.

From crime scene to court: supporting the Criminal Justice SystemEvery year, our forensic experts examine thousands of items from crime scenes. Their role is to provide independent scientific analysis for the Criminal Justice System, which often involves giving expert witness testimony in court.

A prime example of our forensic work is the world-renowned Forensic Explosives Laboratory (FEL), which deals exclusively in explosives-related incidents. Funded by the Home Office, FEL has supported thousands of cases, including multiple terrorist attacks and plots that could have resulted in huge casualties. Recent high-profile cases that FEL has supported include the Parsons Green bomber and the Taliban bomb-maker who was plotting a Westminster attack; both defendants were found guilty by the courts and received life sentences.

As well as being home to some of the foremost specialists in this field, FEL’s laboratories are world-leading. The state-of-the-art Energetics Analysis Centre is unique in the UK and provides world-class facilities, not only for FEL, but for a range of energetics work including explosives detection. On the same site, we run the UK Government’s Homemade Explosives Facility. The crucial work at this Facility furthers our understanding of improvised explosive threats, including the types that have been used by terrorists in the UK. Our work is done in close partnership with our many stakeholders so that we can help to best protect against emerging threats and keep people safe.

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The humble white mustard plant.Renowned for its ability to grow in many different soils and climates. And now, for its ability to confirm the presence of previously undetectable levels of nerve agents in contaminated ground – and even to help remove them from the soil. Our groundbreaking collaboration with the University of Central Lancashire enabled us to discover this unexpected property, which could have wide implications in conflict areas where deadly toxic chemicals are used. It’s just one example of the kind of unexpected science project you could be involved in at dstl.

Apply for dstl job opportunities at www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk

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Find us @dstlmod

To find out more about Dstl & our Graduate vacancies please visit

www.dstlgrads.co.uk