Multi Location: Cardiff, York, London, Birmingham. Regular travel to London required. 

No fully Home Based working.

The Science, Evidence and Research Directorate (SERD) puts science at the heart of our mission to protect consumers by ensuring that food is safe, and what it says it is. 

SERD provides strategic analysis, insight and evidence across the FSA’s remit to underpin the development of policies, guidance and advice on food safety. We are a multi-disciplinary team of approximately 90 scientists, risk assessors, economists, statisticians, social scientists and operational researchers which provides high quality, timely and robust evidence. We strengthen our knowledge base using a range of external science capabilities, such as our independent Scientific Advisory Committees (independent groups of experts that advise the FSA on various aspects of food safety), by commissioning research and surveys, and engaging with academia through sponsoring PhDs and post-doctoral fellowships. 

The advertised vacancy is located within the Risk Assessment Unit (RAU) which delivers risk assessments and technical advice relating to hazards in food and feed. We are looking to recruit a team leader for the Chemical Risk Assessment team, managing and responsible for the delivery of high quality scientific advice and risk assessments in relation to chemical risks and food intolerance and allergies. 

Please read the attached Candidate Pack to discover further details of the role, our organisation, the person we are looking for and the criteria we will assess against during the selection process. We look forward to receiving your application and wish you every success.

Behaviours

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

• Leadership
• Working Together
• Seeing the Big Picture

Technical skills

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

• An honours degree in a relevant science (taken over a minimum 3 year period from a UK University or its equivalent); or DIBT, DRCPath, DABT or equivalent qualification & at least 5 years subsequent relevant toxicological experience (lead criteria)
• Evidence of current engagement in the practice of toxicology.

Benefits Pensions

Civil Service pension schemes may be available for successful candidates.

Benefits

Our candidate pack details the benefits that the FSA has to offer. Please also refer to the attached terms and conditions statement.

Things you need to know 

Successful candidates must pass a disclosure and barring security check.

Successful candidates must pass basic security checks.

Nationality statement

Candidates will be subject to UK immigration requirements as well as Civil Service nationality rules.

If you're applying for a role requiring security clearance please be aware that foreign or dual nationality is not an automatic bar. However certain posts may have restrictions which could affect those who do not have sole British nationality or who have personal connections with certain countries outside the UK.

Selection process details

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

Full details of the selection process are detailed in the attached candidate pack. This will consist of shortlisting against the essential and desirable person specification criteria stated. If successful at shortlisting stage, you will be invited to the final selection stage consisting of a behaviours-based interview. 

We actively review the deployment of talent on a periodic basis in the interests of optimising personal development and the achievement of business plans. 

Please note – regrettably we are unable to refund travel costs if candidates attend an interview/selection stage for the vacancy. 

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

Nationality requirements

Open to UK, Commonwealth and European Economic Area (EEA) and certain non EEA nationals. Further information on whether you are able to apply is available here.

Eligibility

Candidates in their probationary period are eligible to apply for vacancies within this department.

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 equality of opportunity. There is a guaranteed interview scheme (GIS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

Apply and further information Contact point for applicants

[email protected]

Sift/interview dates and location

Shortlisting sift is planned to take place on week commencing 08 July 2019.
Interviews are planned to take place week commencing 15/22 July 2019. 

Further information

[email protected]