Behavioural Scientist – Humans in Cyber Systems Team

About the job

Summary

Can you help to protect the UK from emerging cyber threats?

Could you provide the crucial insight needed to understand how adversary organisations and individuals operate in cyberspace from a behavioural science perspective?

Do you want to be part of a team that conducts cutting edge scientific research and provides advice to enable a winning advantage for UK Defence & Security in cyber operations?

We have an exciting opportunity for two Behavioural Scientists to join our Humans in Cyber Systems team.

You will work with Defence and Security stakeholders to improve understanding of how humans respond to cyber-attacks and mitigate against cyber threats from a human science perspective. Successful applicants will be expected to design, run and/or oversee research studies and apply research findings to practical applications, including delivering behavioural science input into military training exercises.

Job description

In this role you will

Lead on the delivery of small work packages on the understanding of human behaviour in cyberspace using a range of research techniques and be responsible for your own research and analysis

Work collaboratively as part of inter-disciplinary teams and work with partners (e.g. within industry, academia and on an international scale) to deliver innovative and effective solutions to our customers problems

Where appropriate, direct and manage technical work conducted by our suppliers to deliver high quality research

Adjust your written and verbal communication approach to make it accessible and suitable for a range of requirements, situations and audiences such as individuals, groups or organisations

Provide timely, impartial, evidence-based advice to customers to enable them to make informed decisions

Provide support to planning and conducting trials and experimentation, as well as to analysing the data produced

Develop your understanding of the UK Defence and Security domains

Develop your understanding of the cyber domain

Responsibilities

We are looking for someone who has:

Expertise within the behavioural or social sciences, with the enthusiasm to apply their knowledge, skills and experience to overcome current and future challenges facing Defence and Security

A good understanding of the application of behavioural science and/or social science methods

The ability to deliver high impact research for our customers

The ability to adapt to changing requirements

A sharp, enquiring mind with the ability to think laterally

Objectivity and integrity to be able to provide sound impartial advice

Self-motivation and is comfortable working under their own initiative, but with the ability to work collaboratively in inter-disciplinary teams

Proven ability to produce technical reports including analysis of experimental data and to produce and deliver verbal briefings

An ability to provide clear and concise explanations of complex processes to a non-technical audience

A willingness to up-skill in emerging areas.

Job Dimensions

Working within inter-disciplinary project teams both within Dstl and across the wider government in this growing area.

This role will require some travel to other Dstl sites and Defence / Government locations in the UK, and there may also be some international travel required.

Memberships

Membership, Chartership or accreditation of a relevant professional body would be beneficial, (e.g. British Psychological Society, British Sociological Association, American Psychological Association, the Association of Computing Machinery etc.). We will support your development towards professional memberships as appropriate.

Important Information

Our work in defence, security and intelligence requires our employees to be British Citizens who are able to gain a high level of security clearance to understand the work you will undertake to protect us from any security threats. For this reason, we regret that 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

It is essential to have a Degree in Psychology or related social science such as Sociology or Anthropology.

It is desirable to have post graduate qualifications in a related discipline e.g. Psychology, Sociology, Anthropology, Computer Science, Human Computer Interaction, Human Factors / Ergonomics.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

Delivering at Pace

Working Together

Making Effective Decisions

Developing Self and Others

Technical skills

We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:

Application of scientific and research methods

Translation of research findings into written recommendations

Analytical skills for both qualitative and quantitative data sets

Strong team working and interpersonal communication skills to enable effective working with a range of individuals from different technical backgrounds

Benefits

We'll provide a great range of benefits including;

- Fully flexible working, including alternative working patterns, annualised hours, compressed hours and job share, to name a few.

- Flexible Working hours, a 12 month reference period and the ability to bank hours. Up to 20 hours can be taken in any calendar month

- Excellent learning and development to ensure everyone fulfils their potential.

- Maternity, adoption or shared parental leave of up to 26 weeks full pay followed by 13 weeks statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid, and paternity leave of 2 weeks full pay.

- Chartership and accreditation support.

- Pension.

- Generous annual leave, with the ability to buy and sell up to 5 days holiday per year.

- A competitive salary.

- Onsite gyms and restaurants.

- Staff discounts for high street and online shopping, restaurants and days out.

Our Diversity Networks

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 have a number of support networks to ensure all employees feel supported at work.

These include the following;

- Sexual Orientation and Gender Identity Network

- 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