State-sponsored research: The Met Office

Who? The Met Office is the UK’s national weather service and, like the DSTL, is an executive agency of the MoD. It currently employs around 1800 people, including 450 in Research Science and 730 in Forecasting and Observations.

Where? Following a move in 2003 from Berkshire, the majority of employees (1400 people) are now based at the new headquarters in Exeter. There are 60 other Met Office sites around the world.

What? Careers in science include: forecasting R&D (inc. meteorology and oceanography); climate R&D; and scientific software engineering. Forecasting and observation (environmental monitoring) opportunities include: meteorological training, forecasting and guidance; monitoring the state of the atmosphere, oceans and climate; and meteorological observing systems R&D.

Are they recruiting? Physics or maths are essential for a career in science at the Met Office. For forecasting, any physical science degree is acceptable, with an AS (or equivalent) in physics. With strong competition for positions, a 2:1 degree or above, a genuine interest in the weather and good customer service skills need to be demonstrated. For a forecasting role, new starters undergo an Initial Forecasting Training course which culminates in an assessment for an NVQ Level 4 in Meteorological Forecasting.

The benefits package includes eligibility for the Principal Civil Service Pension Scheme, 25 days annual leave + 2.5 days privilege days (rising to 30 days after 7 years), shift allowance (forecasters typically work 12-hour shifts) and bonus scheme.

A trainee forecasting position is currently advertised – closing date is 31^st March. Starting salary of £18k rises to £22k (+ shift allowance) on successful completion of training.

Next up: An overview of the remaining contenders

Novartis make large cuts in Horsham

It was reported yesterday that Swiss pharmaceutical firm Novartis intends to dramatically cut back operations at its Horsham campus. This could lead to the loss of 550 jobs from the 950 Novartis FTEs that work at the site. Apologies for the lack of primary source, but the news has made it on to the BBC website, so it must be true (!)

It is proposed that pharmaceutical manufacturing operations will close in Horsham, along with the partial closure of the global development site there. This is anticipated to take place over a 2-year period. It has been recommended that the gastro-intestinal research team be moved to Basel and Cambridge, and Over The Counter operations to (or near to) Frimley.

The respiratory research group – with 330 FTEs – and support functions will remain at the site. The company will also maintain its manufacturing facilities in Grimsby, Liverpool and Dundee.

According to the 2010 R&D Scoreboard - published by the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills - Novartis Pharmaceuticals had the 10^th highest UK R&D investment of 129 pharma and biotech companies in 2009/10, at £90m. This is in the same league as Amgen and Eli Lilly (~£130m each), but some way behind Pfizer (4^th, at £326m) and GSK and AZ (1^st at £3.6bn and 2^nd at £2.7bn). Of all companies investing in R&D in the UK, they were ranked 47.*

*Caveats and definitions can be found in the BIS report

State-sponsored research: AWE

Who? The Atomic Weapons Establishment (AWE) provides and maintains the UK’s nuclear deterrent. Established in 1950, AWE is now operated under a government-owned/contractor operated system – managed for the MoD by Jacobs Engineering Group, Lockheed Martin UK and Serco. It has around 4500 employees and 2000 contractors

Where? AWE’s two main sites are located close together in Berkshire: Aldermaston provides advanced research, design and manufacturing facilities; and Burghfield is responsible for the final assembly, maintenance and decommissioning of warheads.

What? The Materials Science group looks into the behaviour of materials to determine component life-span and support requirements. This includes materials ageing and testing, stockpile surveillance (analysis), and metallurgy. Specific examples of recent projects can be found in their scientific journal Discovery.

Are they recruiting? With a degree in chemistry, the recommended areas of business are Assurance, Chemical Technology, Materials Science Research and Plasma Physics. Science roles have a 2-year graduate programme, joining a specific department; while Assurance roles gain experience in a wider range of business areas, such as health and safety, major hazard assessment and more.

With 28 days annual leave and a final salary pension, the graduate starting salary is £21k, plus an additional £2.5k package to cover expenses on joining. Graduate applications are accepted throughout the year. Over 100 jobs are currently listed for experienced hires, with the following likely to be of most interest to chemists: Analyst (£16.5-21k, degree not required); Polymer Materials Specialist (£33-43k); Radiochemist (£20-34k); and Team Leader of Analytical Sciences (£33-43k)

Next up: The Met Office

State-sponsored research: DSTL

With talk of pensions being reviewed, job cuts and a salary freeze, you may think that now may not be the best time to sign up to the civil service. However, if you fancy your chances of survival and want to work for a research agency mostly funded by the government, here is the first in a series of options.

Who? The Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) has around 3500 employees, of whom 85% are science and technology professionals. As an agency of the MoD, their goal is to “provide essential, impartial, high quality, timely advice on science and technology issues”.

Where? Locations include Salisbury, Portsmouth and Sevenoaks, Salisbury - known as DSTL Porton Down - is familiar to many as a site used for UK R&D into chemical defence. In 2001, after a lengthy family tree of company amalgamations and re-branding, the Defence Evaluation and Research Agency (DERA) - as existed then - was split into two: now-commercial QinetiQ and the DSTL.

What? Chemistry-related projects detailed on their website include: the development of a spray that changes colour in contact with chemical warfare agents; a Chemical Technologies Team that focuses on the environmental impact of the MoD/DSTL; and chemical detection using spectroscopy.

Are they recruiting? There are a wide range of scientific/engineering jobs advertised on their careers page. A couple of particular interest to chemists (both based in Porton Down) include:

• Two 2-year graduate roles for physical scientists (link broken) to work in the Detection department to carry out research and development into optical and ion-based technologies for the detection of chemical materials. A 2.1 degree in a physical science is essential, experience is not required, a PhD is desirable - closing date Sun 20^th March - £23k.

• Alternatively there is a vacancy in the Environmental Sciences department for a trainee trials conducting officer. This role includes providing technical input into the trials activities in the areas of toxic chemicals, explosives or instrument development. A good team player with flexibility for unsocial working hours and a good level of fitness for outdoor working is required - £26.5k.

There are pros and cons to working in a civil service-type environment. The benefits include 27 days holiday – rising to 32 after 5 years; an impressive pension scheme (although who knows what may happen with this in the future); a subsidized on-site gym and more. For the alternative view, it may be worth reviewing the results of a recent colleague engagement survey which can be found on their website.

Next up: the Atomic Weapons Establishment

[edit: 11/4/11 - fixed links as they've moved everything around in the last month]

Weekend Job Roll: 13th March

In a change from the standard medicinal/process chemistry fare, here are this weeks offerings:

Analyse rocks! The Mineralogy department of the Natural History Museum is looking for an analytical chemist to maintain and develop their analytical chemistry facilities and train/supervise users of the facility. Experience in ICP-based techniques essential, with knowledge of ion chromatography, CHN analysis, IR or MW digestion desirable. £27k, London.

Drive round the countryside! Someone with a lab background and experience with titration or chromatography equipment is sought for this field service engineer position covering SW England and S Wales. £22-28k + commission + car + other benefits.

Make paint! Coatings manufacturer AkzoNobel is looking for an R&D graduate to work in their decorative paints division in Slough. The right applicant will join their 2-3 year graduate development scheme, working in at least two technical teams developing new and existing products. A 2:1 degree in chemistry is required, and the following desirable: degree in polymer chemistry, PhD, 2^nd European language, relevant work experience. £25.5-27.5 for what sounds like a job with great career potential.

Write stuff! SelectScience have expanded upon the roles they were advertising a fortnight ago – to now include a staff writer, editor and TV editor. Common requirements include good attention to detail and a passion for new laboratory technologies and techniques. For the latter two positions, proven success in either an editor role or significant academic/industrial experience with contacts is required. More information about the company – established in 1998 and located between Bath and Bristol – can be found on their website.

Work Experience! If all this recent coverage of writing/editor jobs has gotten your creative juices flowing, the RSC are offering a science writer internship and summer placements in scientific publishing in Cambridge. The former is an 8-week position, providing an introduction to the whole editorial process from writing to publishing – and comes with a £1750 bursary. The latter is an 8-12 week placement working with journal teams and academics, correcting articles and publishing online - £8ph. Both positions are generally aimed at those studying for or recently completed their degree.