Head of Safety Management - Central Laser FacilityExperience Level: Executive Level | Posted Date: 15/04/2025
Science and Technology Facilities Council
Salary: £75,382 per annum
Hours: Full time – limited part time can be considered
Contract Type: Open Ended
Location: Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC), Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL), Harwell, Oxfordshire
Together, our scientists, technologists, engineers, technicians and business support team explore the unknown and turn what they find into work that changes the world around us. Whether it’s sending probes into space or finding new ways to treat cancer, everyone here plays a vital role in making a positive difference to society.
Come and discover how much you can achieve when you’re surrounded by world-leading experts, encouraged to constantly learn and empowered to explore your curiosity.
A rare opportunity has opened up to join us in a senior leadership position at the Central Laser Facility (CLF) to lead our safety management.
We are recruiting a Head of Safety Management for the CLF. This position is a senior management role in CLF and STFC, reporting to the CLF Director, with safety oversight for all activities conducted in the CLF’s five operational laser facilities and those under construction (not the civil construction). We are currently investing over £200M in building two new large scale facilities, EPAC (2020-2025) and Vulcan 20-20 (2023-2029), and enhancing two others Ultra and Artemis via the HiLUX project (2023-2027).
The Central Laser Facility is one of the world’s leading laser facilities, providing external scientists predominately from the UK and Europe with access to an unparalleled range of state-of-the-art large scale laser technology. The CLF’s wide ranging applications include experiments in physics, chemistry, biology, environmental sciences, cultural heritage and the sciences of life and disease. From advanced, compact, tuneable lasers which can pinpoint individual particles to high power laser installations that recreate the conditions inside stars, a vigorous multidisciplinary development programme ensures that our facilities maintain their international competitiveness. CLF operations couple pretty much every safety hazard imaginable with an external user community that is very often inexperienced students and our staff. Safety management is therefore at the very heart of safely delivering this programme and developing the next generation technologies and facilities.
Our host organisation, the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) is one of Europe’s largest research organisations and operates several sites within the UK and at sites abroad. RAL is home to about 2,500 staff that work with a community of more than 10,000 scientists and engineers annually, mainly from the research sector.
About the Role
The CLF Senior Safety Manager reports to the CLF Director. At the Division Leader level within the CLF you will be a defining mind in the safe operation and development of the CLF’s current and new research facilities, bringing your expertise and experience to work closely with the CLF’s senior leadership in helping the department in realising its ambitions.
As the CLF Senior Safety Manager you will provide leadership, mentoring and support to a team of over 100 scientists, engineers and technicians across a wide range of disciplines and competencies, You will ensure that Health and Safety remain at the heart of everything we do in the delivery of our world-class science programme. Whilst our health and safety record is excellent, we must never take this for granted. We are all responsible for our own health and safety and that of our colleagues. Maintaining our excellent record for safety and preventing work-related ill health will continue to be the highest priority for CLF and this role will lead in overseeing this goal
The main responsibilities of the role are to:
• oversee the safe operation and enhancement of the CLF’s operational programme across the five facilities working closely with the senior management team
• oversee the safe operation and enhancement to the CLF’s major projects: EPAC; Vulcan 20-20 and HiLUX
• support the development and planning of new opportunities, contributing to Business cases and proposals as required
• ensure the CLF complies with all the statutory safety responsibilities associated with its delivery, including; Ionising Radiation; Artificial Optical Radiation; Safety interlocks; Loan Working; Fire; PSSR; PED; DSEAR; Legionella; CDM; COSHH; Asbestos compliance. Ensure compliance with RAL SHE Safety Codes
• function as the CLF Safety Lead, the Departmental Safety Contact and the Senior staff member responsible for advising the Director and CLF senior staff on safety matters within the CLF. Prepare monthly safety reports given at CLF Management Board. Contribute to SHE Safety Code revisions / development as required. Conduct or manage safety investigations as required
• chair the CLF Departmental SHE Committee – Manage CLF departmental SHE committee. Plan and progress a programme of CLF Safety Tours. Facilitate and lead the annual CLF Safety Improvement Plan Away Day. “Own” the CLF Safety Package and ensure it is up to date, including the appointment of responsible persons annually. Manage the CLF Safety Risk Register and CLF SHE Improvement Plan
• represent CLF at RAL SHE Committee and other safety related bodies as required
• be the Overall Laser Responsible Officer - Ensure that CLF complies with current rules relating to the safe use of lasers and advise senior management accordingly. Arrange an annual independent Laser Safety Inspection
• be the Overall Fire Manager (CLF) – Liaise with STFC Fire Safety Coordinator, CLF management and CLF staff etc to ensure that fire safety in the buildings is managed appropriately
• as a senior member of staff, contribute to the general need / requirements / strategy of the department as identified by the Director in areas outside of the safety brief, and on occasion for STFC or UKRI. Occasionally deputise for the Director as required
A champion of collaboration and an excellent problem solver you must have a “can do / can solve” attitude, able to instil enthusiasm to deliver world leading technology to the teams you work with in a pragmatic, safe way.
We ask some of the biggest questions in the universe, to answer some of the biggest challenges in the world. Whatever our role, we have the freedom to explore, learn and connect, as part of a community that loves to share knowledge and support one another.
As one of Europe’s largest research organisations, this is a place where there’s always something new to learn – about the world around us, about your career, but most of all, about yourself. Join us and discover what’s possible.
STFC values their employees by offering a benefits package designed to provide an excellent work/life balance including 30 days’ annual leave, 10.5 public and privilege holidays, flexible working hours, exceptional average salary pension scheme, social and sporting activities and societies and a subsidised restaurant.
Person specification
The below criteria will be assessed at Shortlisting (S), Interview (I) or both (S&I)
Essential
• degree, ideally in a scientific discipline, or equivalent experience (S)
• demonstrable knowledge of a range of a wide range of safety areas relevant to the CLF, including ionising radiation, artificial optical radiation, electromagnetic fields; high vacuum systems, pressurised gas systems, high voltage; fire management and building wide processed water systems, COSHH etc
• demonstrable experience / lead in the practical design or implementation of safety systems in many of these areas, and demonstrable experience of the balancing of safety and practicability of operational systems. An ability to understand and implement regulatory requirements whilst also maintaining the ability to operate a complex facility
• experience of leading and managing a large multidisciplinary team at a senior level (S&I)
• ability to multi-task and prioritise against a full workload and achieve demanding targets (I)
• knowledge of appropriate safety procedures and experience of safety management in an scientific environment (S&I)
• good oral and written communication skills (I)
• an understanding of EDI issues in the research environment and a commitment to improving EDI in the CLF (I)
Desirable
• a previous senior leadership role in an engineering based and/or scientific facility (S&I)
• experience of working with industry in a research environment (S&I)
• hold a recognised professional membership or chartered status in a relevant discipline (S&I)
• have a recognised Safety qualification such as a NEBOSHH Certificate (S&I)
Additional information
• the role will involve UK and Overseas travel as required
• this role is ideally full time, but limited part time would be considered for the right candidate. It is not remote, but work at home on an infrequent ad hoc basis would be fine. It is based at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Oxfordshire.
About The Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC)
As one of Europe’s largest research organisations, we ask the biggest questions in the universe to find answers that change the world around us. We seek understanding. We’re proud of the impact we make. And we’re committed to helping build a globally competitive, knowledge-based UK economy. Being part of all this means contributing to work that pushes boundaries and creates possibilities. You’ll work with, and learn from, true experts. Whatever your role, you’ll be free to question, and encouraged to share ideas. And, in a positive and supportive culture, you’ll discover just what a difference you can make when you’re equipped and inspired to excel.
We’re a place where curious minds thrive. Not bound by profit, we explore ideas that others don’t, ask questions that others won’t, and discover answers that others are not equipped to find. And, alongside Mars landings and black holes, we also explore diverse, international projects in everything from science and engineering to computing and technology. Whether it’s at the cutting edge or behind the scenes, our work is intellectually challenging. It’s very often ground-breaking. And it’s endlessly, irresistibly fascinating.
For more information about STFC please visit https://stfc.ukri.org/
You can also visit our careers site https://www.stfccareers.co.uk/
About UK Research Innovation (UKRI)
UKRI is an organisation that brings together the seven disciplinary research councils, Research England and Innovate UK. Together, we build an independent organisation with a strong voice and vision ensuring the UK maintains its world-leading position in research and innovation.
Supporting some of the world’s most exciting and challenging research projects, we develop and operate some of the most remarkable scientific facilities in the world. We are pushing the frontiers of human knowledge through fundamental research and delivering benefits for UK society and the economy through world-class research, skills and business-led innovation.
More information can be found at www.ukri.org.
Choosing to come to work at UKRI means that you will have access to a whole host of benefits from a defined benefit pension scheme, excellent holiday entitlement, access to employee shopping/travel discounts and salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme. For more details, visit Benefits of working at UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)
The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role. UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.
How we support EDI in the workforce
At UKRI, we believe that everyone has a right to be treated with dignity and respect, and to be provided with equal opportunities to thrive and succeed in an environment that enables them to do so. We also value diversity of thought and experience within inclusive groups, organisations and the wider community. For further information, please visit ‘How we support EDI in the workforce’.
Disability Confident Employer
As users of the disability confident scheme, we guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the minimum criteria for the vacancy/ies. We will ensure that individuals with disabilities are provided reasonable accommodation to participate in the job application or interview process, to perform essential job functions, and to receive other benefits and privileges of employment. Please contact us to request accommodation.
How to apply
Online applications only preferred for this role. Please submit a CV and covering letter which clearly outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified along with your motivation for UKRI and the role. Ensure that the job reference number is included in the filename description of each document uploaded. Note that failure to address the above criteria or submit an application without a covering letter may result in the application not being considered. Assessment will only be based upon the content of your submitted covering letter and CV and not the ‘experience’ section of the application.
UKRI seeks to ensure it creates and maintains a system of openness, fairness and inclusion – a collaborative, trusted environment, which is attractive to and accessible to everyone who is interested in developing their career with us.