Higher EMF Scientist– Electromagnetic Field Dosimetry (EMF)

Job summary

UKHSA’s Radiation, Chemical, Climate and Environment (RCCE) Hazards Directorate delivers specialist advice, research and services to protect the public from chemical, radiological and environmental hazards, including emergency response as a Category 1 responder. Within this, the Radiation Dosimetry
Department provides authoritative public health advice on lasers, optical radiation, electromagnetic fields (EMF), and ionising radiation in medical imaging, alongside research, exposure assessment, standards development, training, and support to national and international bodies. The department also provides the secretariat for the Committee on Medical Aspects of Radiation in the Environment (COMARE).

The EMF Dosimetry (EMFD) Group assesses exposures from established and emerging EMF technologies (e.g. mobile phones, base stations, power lines). It acts as UKHSA’s national focal point for EMF public health advice, contributing to regulation, research, environmental monitoring, and standards development. The Group develops exposure assessment methodologies, maintains measurement infrastructure, and supports the Operational Services Department. The EMFD Group has two laboratories at Chilton in Oxfordshire; one primarily used for EMF exposure investigations and maintenance of measurement equipment, and the other for dielectric properties research. The Group provides advisory correspondence, with high-level requests and short deadlines arriving on a daily basis.

Working for your organisation

We pride ourselves as being an employer of choice, where Everyone Matters promoting equality of opportunity to actively encourage applications from everyone, including groups currently underrepresented in our workforce.

UKHSA ethos is to be an inclusive organisation for all our staff and stakeholders. To create, nurture and sustain an inclusive culture, where differences drive innovative solutions to meet the needs of our workforce and wider communities. We do this through celebrating and protecting differences by removing barriers and promoting equity and equality of opportunity for all.

Job description

• Provide specialised scientific support for EMF exposure research, assessment and services.
• Conduct experimental measurements using advanced equipment in laboratory and field settings, alongside technical, computational, and analytical work to support exposure assessment.
• Develop exposure assessment methodologies and instrumentation, and contribute to externally funded research, training and lectures.
• Deliver work within a project management framework, including budgets, risk and quality. Support UKHSA’s radiological emergency response through environmental monitoring, sampling and laboratory analysis.
• Plan and undertake scientific tasks across laboratory work, modelling and engineering, including measuring and calculating EMF exposure in varied environments.
• Carry out on-site assessments and produce technical reports with findings and safety recommendations.
• Maintain laboratory facilities, equipment and safety systems, and contribute to development of procedures and protocols.
• Work independently with a high level of technical competence.
• Use and maintain complex scientific equipment and IT systems for data analysis and record-keeping.

Occasional irregular hours and UK/international travel are required.

The post holder will contribute to the provision of highly specialised scientific services and scientific research and development work. This will include:

• Experimental assessment of exposure from sources of electromagnetic fields (EMF) using specialised scientific equipment in the laboratory and off site
• Technical, computing and analytical work underpinning the assessment of human exposure to EMF
• Development of methodologies and instrumentation for assessing exposure to EMF
• Contributions to externally funded research and service work, including lectures and support for training courses
• Working within a project management framework, agreeing and adhering to allocated budgets, managing risks and maintaining quality standards
• Participation in the UKHSA response to radiological emergencies, in accordance with the roles described in the RCCE Emergency Plan. This includes environmental sampling and measurements as part of an emergency monitoring team, together with laboratory analysis of samples

The role requires a broad range of developed skills based on strong practical and theoretical foundations in physics or electrical engineering. A general awareness of wider public health disciplines, including biology and epidemiology, is also required

The post holder will undertake a range of scientific duties, including:

• Laboratory work and scientific functions involving, as appropriate, physics, mathematical modelling, biology, epidemiology, laboratory science and engineering
• Assessment of EMF exposure through measurement and calculation across a range of sources and exposure scenarios
• Assessment of exposure from EMF sources and facilities on customer premises, and preparation of technical reports incorporating measurement results, recommendations for safe working and related findings
• Routine maintenance checks of specialised laboratory facilities and verification of the satisfactory operation of safety and warning systems

Many of these duties will involve working independently and unsupervised. The post holder will be expected to carry out accurate scientific work in accordance with established procedures and protocols, and to contribute to the review and development of new standing operating procedures where appropriate. This will require a good level of technical knowledge and skill

The post holder will be responsible for the use and maintenance of complex scientific equipment, including measurement probes, spectrum analysers and calibration systems. They will also use a range of IT software, including databases and in-house applications, for record keeping and the calculation of scientific information

Occasional irregular working hours will be required, and travel within the UK and occasionally overseas

Other

The above provides an outline of the tasks, responsibilities and outcomes required of the role. The post holder will undertake any other duties reasonably required by the Directorate. The job description and person specification may be reviewed on an ongoing basis to meet organisational needs

Person specification

Essential Criteria

• Educated to degree level in electrical/electronic engineering or a physical science discipline, or equivalent level of experience working at a similar level (e.g. working as an EMF / RF engineer or scientist; performing scientific data analysis and reporting comparable to a graduate engineer )
• Current full UK driving license
• Experience of electromagnetic field (EMF) sources and applications
• Experience of EMF laboratory facilities and equipment such as network and spectrum analysers, oscilloscopes etc
• Understanding and ability to apply electromagnetic theory
• Strong mathematical/statistical and analytical skills to use existing computational models and ability to write new codes
• Confident in use of Microsoft office packages, especially Word and Excel
• Ability to communicate effectively, formally, informally, orally and in writing (including presentation of scientific work) to colleagues, customers, and representatives from other organisations
• Technical competence in performing measurements coupled with good numeracy skills
• Ability to observe and question to gather information and sift it to disregard the irrelevant and identify key issues
• Ability to asses