Job Description

Safety Health and Environment (SHE) Advisor
Science and Technology Facilities Council
Salary: £58,346 per annum | Open Ended | Full Time | Closing Date: 12th July 2026
Location: UK Astronomy Technology Centre, Royal Observatory Edinburgh, Blackford Hill, Edinburgh, EH9 3HJ

Together, our scientists, technologists, engineers and support services 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.

We’re committed to keeping the UK at the forefront of world-changing science, and this requires excellence across all our support services.

STFC’s UK Astronomy Technology Centre (UK ATC) is located at the Royal Observatory Edinburgh (ROE). The ROE site also hosts STFC staff from the Estates and Business Innovation departments, as well as tenants and contractors. A small number of staff from other STFC Departments are also based on the site and support the UK ATC programme. The site is also shared with the Institute for Astronomy of the University of Edinburgh.

A vacancy exists in the STFC Safety Health Environment (SHE) Group at ROE. SHE Group support the new and exciting science programmes and buildings being constructed for them across STFC.

Reporting to the Daresbury site SHE Group Senior Safety Advisor, this is a key role that will lead major improvements in specific areas of STFC SHE management and delivery of continuous improvement in SHE management systems across STFC.

The ROE SHE advisor will work very closely with the UK ATC Director, who is also Head of the Royal Observatory Edinburgh (ROE) site and has oversight responsibility for SHE matters.

As part of a small team, this appointment is an opportunity for the STFC SHE Group to add specific skills and experience complimenting those within the team.

We are interested in senior SHE specialists with a demonstrable track record of leadership and delivery of impact in specialist area(s) of SHE management relevant to STFC operations.

Responsibilities

• Provide professional SHE advice and guidance to UK ATC management, employees, tenants, and science facility users and support them in discharging their responsibility for the implementation of the STFC SHE Management System.
• Support development of the STFC’s documented SHE Codes based upon experience of internal application, audit findings, external best practice, and legislative changes identified through horizon scanning.
• Manage and develop the provision of effective, efficient and professional SHE services to ROE staff, contractors, tenants, visitors and users
• Support the development and maintenance of ROE SHE policies and related documentation.
• Ensure that all SHE incidents, including injuries, near misses, fires, environmental and vehicle incidents are reported, investigated appropriately and actions established to minimise the likelihood of their repetition. Sharing STFC wide learning appropriately.
• Monitor and audit, the effectiveness and efficiency of the SHE Management System, its policies and procedures, at the UK ATC Royal Observatory and as appropriate other STFC sites.
• Communicate and liaise closely with the key stakeholders in the STFC SHE Management System, in particular, safety and environment committees, trade union safety representatives, Departmental Safety Contacts, those appointed to key SHE roles, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) and emergency services.
• Assist with the preparation and delivery of STFC specific on-line and face to face SHE training programmes and monitor and enforce SHE training compliance of ROE staff.

Other requirements

• Available to work and travel in the UK and abroad.
• Available to work flexibly, including occasional out of normal working hours or weekend working or telephone contact.

Essential Shortlisting Criteria

• Educated to degree or HND level in a science or engineering discipline. (S)
• Demonstrable experience of successful delivery of a SHE Advisory role in science, engineering, construction or technology sectors. (S,I)
• NEBOSH National Diploma for Occupational Health and Safety Management Professionals, or equivalent qualification. (S,I)
• Good knowledge of engineering, electrical and building maintenance safety management. (S,I)
• A broad working knowledge of current and forthcoming changes to UK SHE legislation relevant to STFC. (S,I)
• Strong oral and written communication skills. (I)
• Evidence of excellent interpersonal skills deployed with staff at all levels, from Operator to Manager and Director. (I)
• Strong IT skills and specific experience of the Microsoft Office software suite. (S,I)
• Proactive, with a high degree of self-motivation and independence, able to deliver under pressure and against tight deadlines. (I)
• There will also be a requirement to visit and work at other STFC sites as appropriate to the individual’s responsibilities within the STFC SHE Management System. (I)

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, an exceptional average salary pension scheme, and a subsidised restaurant.

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 by submitting your CV and covering letter which outlines how you fulfil the criteria specified, along with your motivation for the role.

Please note: if you will require sponsorship to work in the UK, as part of your sponsorship application, you (and any dependants travelling with you) will be required to pay costs directly to the UK Home Office for the application before you start your role with us. UKRI is normally able to reimburse some, or all of these fees after you have become an employee, and this can be discussed with the Hiring Manager. For more information, please visit https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa/how-much-it-costs or contact Recruitment@ukri.org

UKRI - UK Research and Innovation

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 for UKRI

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, any candidate who opts into the scheme and best meets the essential criteria, will be shortlisted for interview. 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.

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be rejected and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action.

As part of the pre-employment checks there is a requirement to undergo Baseline Personnel Security Screening. BPSS is a pre-condition of employment and failure to achieve it may mean that the employment offer is rescinded. UKRI reserves the right to run, or re-run, security clearance as required during the course of employment.