Scientific Adviser

Job Title: Scientific Adviser

Location: London

Salary: Dependant on experience + car or car allowance + fantastic benefits package including private healthcare.

About the Role

We are looking for a motivated, self-sufficient scientist to join our Fire Science Team at Bureau Veritas. The key focus of this role is to provide high quality scientific support and training delivery to key clients including the emergency services and industrial sector.

The successful candidate will gain the necessary skills to fulfil the role of Scientific Adviser to the London Fire Brigade and other UK Fire and Rescue Services, eventually joining a 24/7-365, out-of-hours on call rota.

This is a unique and crucial role which includes attending Fire Brigade incidents anywhere in the Greater London area upon request to provide specialist scientific support. This will occasionally involve emergency response driving for which training will be provided.

This role offers the chance to join an influential team within a truly global organisation. With a competitive salary, excellent benefits package, and structured development programme from an award-winning employer.

Responsibilities will include:

• Providing scientific advice on all aspects of Fire Service incidents involving hazardous materials. Including planning and policy, selection and use of PPE, the deployment and maintenance of monitoring equipment, decontamination of personnel and equipment and liaison with other agencies.
• The investigation of the causes and spread of fires both on site and in the laboratory working alongside specialist Fire Service personnel.
• Investigating the causes of accidents and equipment failures as part of a multidisciplinary team to drive improvements in safety.
• Provision of technical training to Fire Services and other clients covering a variety of relevant scientific disciplines and specialist subjects.
• Preparation and delivery of scientific reports in fulfilment of all services provided including production of witness statements and briefing documents.
• Continuous professional development of skills and capabilities.

Candidate requirements include:

• Excellent organisation and planning skills & strong attention to detail with ability to multi-task and prioritise.
• A focus on exceptional customer service.
• Ability to organise work and produce technical reports.
• Ability to manage operational and commercial issues.
• Existing knowledge & capability regarding the characteristics & properties of hazardous materials (including radionuclides) and their interactions with each other and the environment.
• Experience with use and application of a range of detection, identification and monitoring equipment to determine the identity of unknown substances and the levels present in an area where relevant.
• Experience investigating the causes of fires would be desirable.
• Willingness to engage in continuous professional development associated with all aspects of the department’s work.  This may require development of entirely new skillsets.
• Confident presenter able to develop capacity to prepare and present technical training to audiences with a range of technical ability. Ability to research new subjects and prepare technical presentations working effectively to tight deadlines.
• Physically fit and able to work in challenging environments including the ability to wear Fire Brigade PPE including Self Contained Breathing Apparatus and Gas Tight Chemical Protection Suits [Training for this will be provided].
• Self-motivated and adaptable with significant personal resilience.
• Organised & methodical with excellent problem-solving skills.
• Computer literate in standard Microsoft office suite.

Qualifications Required:

• A Chemistry degree is preferred but consideration may be given to other scientific subjects which include a chemical aspect, or to relevant field-experience.
• Membership of an appropriate professional body would be preferred.
• A-levels or equivalent in science subjects.
• GCSEs or equivalent– including Mathematics, Sciences and English.
• Level 3 Award in Education and Training or equivalent is desirable.
• Full UK driving license.

 What's in it for you?

• Excellent career development and progression opportunities
• Working for an employer with a long list of awards recognition including Top Employer for nine years in a row and continued success in the RoSPA Occupational Health and Safety Awards.
• Working to make a tangible difference to the safety of both emergency service personnel (particularly the Fire Service) and the public.

Plus:

• 25 days holiday + 8 bank holidays with the option to buy or sell 5 days, plus an option to carry over 5 days.
• Combined employee/employer pension contributions of up to 12%
• Some ability for Flexible/Home Working, although primarily lab based.
• Flexible benefits scheme, to suit what is important to you including Life Cover, Private health care, Dental Care, Gym Flex, Tec scheme, Enhanced Maternity/Paternity policy, Give as You Earn scheme & Travel Insurance
• Health and Wellbeing Support through; Mental Health First aiders, Employee Assistance programme & Smart Health services.