Human Factors Specialist – Air Systems

About the job

Summary

Do you have a background in Human Factors (HF)? Are you passionate about applying your expertise to help support military end users and Defence as a whole and specifically Air Systems users? If so, wed like to hear from you.

The effectiveness of our armed forces is dependent on effectively integrating people and equipment to deliver a world class military capability. We need your HF skills to help ensure that our future aircraft, ships, vehicles and equipment are designed around the needs and characteristics of their users.

HF in air safety remains a high priority within Defence and Security. In terms of impact, Lightning II, for example, can only fly in UK with Air HF Independent Technical Evaluator (ITE) support from Dstl. Demand for our air domain HF expertise has been extremely high for the last 5 years, and the future demand is expected to increase across multiple platforms, including but not limited to, F-35, Typhoon, Apache, and Future Combat Air Systems projects among others.

We have a great opportunity available within the Human in Systems Team to contribute to Dstls Human Systems Integration capability. The team uses a human centred systems approach for the integration of end users with military systems. Examples of current expertise within the Team include: Ergonomics, Industrial Design, Human Computer Interaction (HCI), Anthropometry, and Identification of new technologies to support Human Performance.

You will use HF principles and methods to provide solutions to the UK militarys most pressing Human Science problems. You will work alongside a diverse team of human scientists and engineers supporting a variety of projects. You might be leading HF trials to develop or evaluate military systems, or be involved in one of the Ministry of Defence (MODs) groundbreaking research programmes. Whether responsible for internal research, or co-ordinating industry, academic or international partners to facilitate delivery, we offer the chance to create a rounded skill set in HF / Technical Consultancy within a highly successful team.

Job description

In this role you will:

Provide HF support to procurement activities including writing and analysing human related requirements, planning and conducting trials and experimentation and analysing the data produced.

Applying human related standards (Joint Service Publication (JSP) 912) and knowledge of the design and evaluation of military systems.

Lead and conduct research for different projects using a range of research techniques, ensuring its technical quality and maximising its value.

Manage technical work conducted by our suppliers to deliver high technical quality research

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

Be responsible for your own research and analysis and deliver high technical quality research

Align your research with overall programme objectives and seek opportunities for collaboration and exploitation with complementary research being conducted elsewhere in the research programme; ensuring coherence of advice to customers and maximum value for money for Defence and Security

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

Provide timely, impartial, evidence-based advice to customers to enable them to make informed decisions. This may include briefing senior officials to ensure robust decision making within Government

Lead / 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

Though this role has no formal line management responsibility, you will also lead more junior staff in the successful delivery of products, as well as provide technical or professional guidance and mentorship.

Working within multi-disciplinary project teams and in a team which is across two sites (Dstl Porton Down and Dstl Portsdown West).

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.

Responsibilities

We are looking for someone who has:

Existing expertise and experience in HF or Engineering, including experience in the air domain or the desire to be upskilled in air HF. We are also looking for candidates who have knowledge, expertise and experience in one or more of the following Human Science areas: Ergonomics, Human Computer Interaction, Applied Psychology, Usability, User Experience, or related subject areas

Existing experience of applying HF research methods and skills, with the passion to further apply this in a military context

The ability to deliver high impact research for our customers

Experience of using technical consultancy skills to successfully scope, manage and deliver against customer requirements

Experience in leading and influencing the technical direction of studies, to ensure high impact research is delivered

The ability to adapt to changing requirements

A sharp, enquiring mind capable of thinking laterally, and the qualities of judgement and probity to provide the required sound impartial advice

Self-motivation and is comfortable working under their own initiative, but with the ability to work collaboratively in inter-disciplinary teams, as well as experience of assuring and overseeing the work of others

Proven ability to produce technical reports of findings and produce and deliver verbal briefings. Able to provide clear explanations of complex processes to both technical and non-technical audience

A willingness to up-skill in emerging areas.

Behaviours

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

Delivering at Pace

Making Effective Decisions

Leadership

Working Together

Technical skills

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

Application of scientific methods and research designs

Analytical skills for both qualitative and quantitative data sets

Research methods including interviews; focus groups; questionnaires; experimental methods

Translation of research findings into clear implications for customers

Interpersonal communication with a diverse range of people

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

Ability to enable others to deliver as well as deliver yourself

Experience of applying research methods within human factors

We only ask for evidence of these technical skills on your application form:

Application of scientific methods and research designs

Analytical skills for both qualitative and quantitative data sets

Research methods including interviews; focus groups; questionnaires; experimental methods

Translation of research findings into clear implications for customers

Benefits

We'll provide a great range of benefits including;

Flexible working

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

A competitive salary

Excellent learning and development

Onsite gyms and restaurants

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

Things you need to know

Security

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check.

People working with government assets must complete basic personnel security standard checks.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours, Experience and Technical skills.

The selection process will be based on experiences communicated via CV and application assessment process.

If selected for interview candidates will be asked to provide a 10 minute presentation, the title will be sent with the interview invitation.

Due to the current circumstances interviews are likely to be carried out remotely via a video platform.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

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 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.

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Apply and further information

Contact point for applicants

Job contact :

Name :   Dstl Recruitment Team

Email :   dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk

Recruitment team :

Email :   dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk

Further information

Should you wish to raise a formal complaint about the Dstl recruitment process you should email dstlrecruitment@dstl.gov.uk stating the nature of the issue. We will respond within 5 working days.