Applied Physiologist – Royal Navy

This is an exciting opportunity to join a small multi-disciplinary team of physiologists, clinicians and data scientists working in Exertional Heat Illness Prevention at the Institute of Naval Medicine (INM). The group is part of the Environmental Medicine and Science (EMS) Division and provides the Royal Navy (RN) and wider Ministry of Defence (MOD) with scientific support, applied research and evidence-based advice and guidance in work/ exercise science, physiology and nutrition.  

This position will largely support the Heat Illness Prevention programme (Programme SALAMANDER) but will include additional tasks including: monitoring physical training load; the physical / physiological demands of military roles; occupational fitness tests / standards, and the physiological implications of survival or personal protective equipment (PPE).  

This position is advertised at 37 hours per week.

The primary purpose of the role is to provide guidance on the prevention and mitigation of exertional heat illness, working with colleagues to provide scientifically defensible and legally compliant solutions for military operations and training.  

The post holder will be expected to field queries and provide thermal physiology subject matter advice to RN and MOD customers, with the support of the wider team for specialist areas of expertise. The post holder will support the members of the team in determining the requirement for new work to be undertaken in response to queries, within INM’s current tasking process.  

The post holder will provide support to the EMS Division by providing training and education delivery of military personnel in specific areas of expertise such as heat illness risk and physical training.  

The post holder will assist in trials and surveys within the EMS Division as requested and   support the acquisition, analysis and reporting of physiological data for audit and research purposes as approved.   

To provide physiology support to EMS clinical activities, specifically supporting the Heat Illness Clinic.

The post holder will be expected to maintain scientific and physiological status monitoring equipment ensuring that updates to the software and firmware are maintained and the equipment is ready for use when needed.

To maintain or work towards professional competency (e.g the requirements of the Science Council’s Registered Scientist scheme).   

Depending on the needs of the task, the post holder will at times work independently and at other times collaboratively with team members or colleagues in other departments.  The post holder will be required to engage with customers and stakeholders at all levels, including senior military and civilian personnel.  The post requires occasional travel within the UK and sometimes overseas, each of which may include overnight stays on land and possibly at sea.  

The Institute of Naval Medicine is the Naval Service’s Centre of Excellence, bringing together scientists and medical professionals to improve the health of the UK Armed Forces.  The unique opportunities offered within are varied, challenging and exciting and support Navy Command’s role to generate and operate forces for today and to ensure we are ready for tomorrow by developing and delivering the Navy of the future.   

In Navy Command, our civil servants work alongside their military colleagues in jobs that matter; jobs which often have a direct impact on the quality of the operational capabilities we deliver.   

Roles can offer great job satisfaction and there are many opportunities to develop and progress both within the Department and across the wider Civil Service.  

Navy Command provides an open, flexible, and inclusive work environment where civil servants and Armed Forces personnel work together in a wealth of interesting and challenging jobs in areas ranging from: finance; legal services; personnel and HR; project planning and managing contracts, to media and communications.  

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

• Delivering at Pace
• Working Together
• Communicating and Influencing

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

• Applying Scientific Knowledge
• Disseminating science effectively

• Learning and development tailored to your role
• An environment with flexible working options
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27%

Other benefits for Navy Command civil servants include: 

• 25 days paid annual leave rising (1 day per year) to 30 days upon completion of 5 years’ service 
• A Civil Service pension with an average employer contribution of 27% 

• Personal & professional development, Learning and development tailored to your role 
• Alternative working patterns for many roles 
• Access to a confidential, professional support service 
• Discount schemes 
• Bicycle / season ticket loans 
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption leave 

• Special paid leave to volunteer up to 6 days a year  
• An environment with flexible working options 
• A culture encouraging inclusion and diversity 

The post does not offer relocation expenses. 

External recruits who join the MOD who are new to the Civil Service will be subject to a six-month probation period. 

Please Note: Expenses incurred for travel to interviews will not be reimbursed. 

Please be advised that the Department is conducting a review of all pay related allowances which could impact on those allowances that the post currently being advertised attracts.  

Any move to MOD from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/. 

The Ministry of Defence is committed to providing a safe and healthy working environment for its staff which includes educating them on the benefits of not smoking, protecting them from the harmful effects of second-hand smoke and supporting those who want to give up smoking. Under the Smoke-Free Working Environment policy, Smoking and the use of all tobacco products (including combustible and chewing tobacco products) will not be permitted anywhere in the Defence working environment however some exemptions are in place, please refer to local guidance. The policy is Whole Force and includes all Defence personnel, contractors, visitors and other non-MOD personnel. All applicants seeking, considering, or accepting employment with the Ministry of Defence should be aware of this policy and that it is already in place at a number of Defence Establishments.  

MOD Recruitment Satisfaction Survey – we may contact you regarding your experience to help us improve our customer satisfaction. The survey is voluntary and anonymous. You may however be given the opportunity to provide additional information to help us improve our service which includes the collection of some personal data as defined by the United Kingdom General Data Protection Regulation (UK GDPR). The MOD Privacy Notice sets out how we will use your personal data and your rights. 

Job contact :

• Name : Dr Simon Delves
• Email : simon.delves216@mod.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk