Senior Scientist

About the Role

The Electromagnetic Technologies Group is hiring a Senior Scientist for the Assured Autonomy Group. NPL’s Assured Autonomy programme is supporting a critical technology sector which is set to deliver widespread social and economic benefit going forwards, enhancing UK’s resilience and economic growth and ensuring regulation is not a barrier to innovation.

NPL’s focus is to develop the metrological infrastructure and know how to enable the assurance frameworks required across the spectrum of autonomous systems, providing a sovereign capability to test and approve these technologies.

About You

The Senior Scientist role requires a practical problem solver using commercial hardware / software to tackle challenging measurement solutions in the lab, in the field and at sea.

Ideally, you should have a degree or post-graduate qualification in engineering, physics or a science-related field.

You must also have significant (over 3 years) proven work experience in a large proportion of the following: Practical experience of deploying vision sensors (eg: Lidar, Radar, Cameras) to outdoor environments, i ncluding device communication and data analysis using Windows, Unix, ROS etc..

• Maritime vessel instrumentation and communication systems
• Familiarity with technology utilised in autonomous / remotely operated vehicles/boats & ROCs
• Perimeter security / surveillance system design, deployment and maintenance
• Computer vision and data fusion algorithms
• Engineering fabrication and design skills

In addition, we expect the candidate to:

• Participate in field experiments, including preparation, execution, troubleshooting, and maintenance. These will include working at a location away from NPL for days to weeks at ad hoc times. ( Plymouth )
• Conduct scientific research independently within a multidiscipline team.
• Be innovative, taking the initiative with a result/get-it-done mindset.
• Collaboration – working with partners both with and outside the organization, creating consortia, managing partnerships, driving to results and resolving issues as needed
• Team leadership – motivate, inspire, guide the team to deliver the programs as well as achieve their individual goals and potential. Ability to work across organisational barriers and use influence to lead and manage.
• Bidding – work with the commercial organization and independently to secure future funding for the team
• Work within established Health and Safety, and Quality systems to safely produce accurate and repeatable results.
• Good spoken and written communications skills and the ability to collaborate with colleagues from diverse backgrounds to help us achieve our goals.
• Ability to plan and deliver against agreed time, cost and quality needs.
• Enjoy problem solving and can demonstrate critical thinking, assessing the pros and cons of your approach.

At NPL we learn from each other, respect each other and work together to do better. For ourselves and for our customers. And whilst we’re always looking to stretch beyond what we know, we don’t make things more complicated when there’s no need.

We actively recruit citizens of all backgrounds, but the nature of our work in specific departments means that nationality, residency and security requirements can be more tightly defined than others. You will be asked about this throughout the recruitment process. To work at NPL, you will need to obtain BPSS security clearance.

Please note: Applications will be reviewed, and interviews conducted throughout the duration of this advert therefore we may at any time bring the closing date forward. We encourage all interested applicants to apply as soon as practical.

About Us

The National Physical Laboratory (NPL) is a world-leading centre of excellence that provides cutting-edge measurement science, engineering and technology to underpin prosperity and quality of life in the UK.

NPL and DSIT have strong commitments to diversity and equality of opportunity, and welcome applications from candidates irrespective of their background, gender, race, sexual orientation, religion, or age, providing they meet the required criteria. Applications from women, disabled and black, Asian and minority ethnic candidates in particular are encouraged. All disabled candidates (as defined by the Equality Act 2010) who satisfy the minimum criteria for the role will be guaranteed an interview under the Disability Confident Scheme.

At NPL, we believe our success is a result of the diversity and talent of our people. We strive to nurture and respect individuals to ensure everyone feels valued by treating everyone on the basis of their own individual merits and abilities regardless of their own or perceived identity, as part of our commitment to diversity & inclusion, we hold memberships and accreditations to ensure we’re creating an environment where all our colleagues feel supported and welcome, please see our Diversity & Inclusion page.

We are committed to the health and well-being of our employees. Flexible working and social activities are embedded in our culture to create a positive work-life balance, along with a broad range of benefits . Our values are at the heart of what we do, and they shape the way we interact, develop our people and celebrate success.

To ensure everyone has an equal chance, we’re always willing to make reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process. If you would like to discuss, please contact us.