Senior Technologist - CTP London Threat Mitigation Technologies

We’re seeking a Senior Technologist to ensure that our range of scientific and engineering technologies remain fit‑for‑purpose as the terrorist threat evolves. This role is part of Readiness, Protection and Response (RPR) Command, and within the Threat Mitigation Technologies (TMT) department. You’ll be collaborating with your team, Operational Science and Capability Development, and reporting to the Principal Scientist. This is a rare opportunity to apply your scientific expertise in the unique world of counter‑terrorism policing.

Key Responsibilities

• Delivering scientific advice to operational units regarding threat materials and the available methods for detection, identification and monitoring.
• Providing scientific and technical leadership for a range of scientific counter‑terrorism capabilities.
• Supporting the continuous professional development of TMT personnel.
• Planning and oversight of scientific trials and testing protocols.
• Developing and implementing bespoke solutions to complex scientific and engineering problems.
• Delivering an operational testing capability for new technologies.
• Acting as an interface between police customers and TMT’s staff.
• Providing technical leadership and support for the MPS’s explosives detection capabilities.
• Representing TMT and MPS nationally and internationally at meetings, conferences and policy‑forming groups as technical lead and subject‑matter expert.
• Creating working relationships with other government agencies with similar requirements.
• Leading the MPS’s effort when carrying out collaborative work with partner organisations.
• Contributing to large technical development projects on behalf of the UK Government community of departments and agencies with similar operational requirements.
• Being responsible for ensuring that strategic health and safety requirements are met for scientific trials.

Skills and Experience

• Recognised subject‑matter expert in one or more relevant technical areas such as:
• Explosives science.
• Explosives detection, identification and monitoring technologies.
• CBRN detection, identification and monitoring technologies.
• Analytical techniques including the use of a variety of spectroscopic and spectrometric methods.
• X‑ray screening systems.
• Weapons and threat detection systems.
• Technical capability development.
• Operational use of counter‑terrorist technologies.
• Operational testing of counter‑terrorist technologies.
• Broad knowledge of counter‑terrorist technologies, including underlying scientific principles, system limitations and operational context.
• Appreciation of emerging threats such as UAV systems and advanced radio‑monitoring techniques.
• Expertise in managing complex, multi‑strand technical programmes for security‑related applications.
• Expertise in defining operational and technical requirements, developing testing protocols, and delivering robust technical testing campaigns to assess capability readiness.
• Proved ability to acquire, analyse and report technical information accurately to a subject‑matter‑expert standard.
• Proved record of building collaborations to share workload and align objectives across organisations.
• Proved ability to create and foster Government, industry and academic relationships that add value to core programmes.
• Experience of managing budgets, financial reporting and preparing bids for internal and external funding.

Vetting

This post requires access to the most sensitive intelligence material on a daily basis. Applicants must hold or be prepared to undergo National Security Vetting (NSV), Developed Vetting (DV) level before taking up the post. This post requires British nationality (some dual nationals may be ineligible) and an Enhanced Security Check (eSC)/Developed Vetting (DV) clearance. Due to the sensitive information, there are limitations on travelling to a small number of countries and additional security checks will be undertaken in the recruitment process.

Confidentiality Agreement

Applicants should also be aware of the need to sign a confidentiality agreement on taking up the post.

Our Colleague Commitments

Counter Terrorism Policing (CTP) continues to prioritise an inclusive and supportive working environment and culture, where all our people feel a strong sense of belonging and are empowered to reach their full potential. CTP keeps the nation and everyone in it safe from all manner of threats and as those threats evolve, so do we – that’s why Inclusion, Diversity and Equality (IDE) is the key to supporting our greatest asset, our people.

Our people protect our national security across the UK. To continue to deliver against our organisational priorities, we collectively seek to ensure that all colleagues feel respected, supported and valued to fully participate in the delivery of our mission – "working to keep people safe from Terrorism".

IDE is at the heart of our approach to make the composition of Counter Terrorism Policing more representative of the communities we serve. As Counter Terrorism is rooted in Local Policing to tackle today’s complex policing challenges, applications from across all backgrounds, cultures and experiences are therefore essential and encouraged. The CTP Network is committed to ensuring that candidates identifying as disabled can realise their fullest career aspirations and, as such, will endeavour to accommodate any reasonable adjustments that you may require during the recruitment process. CTP also welcomes applications from candidates seeking flexible working arrangements, such as part‑time working, job‑share and where the role permits, hybrid working arrangements. All flexible working arrangements should be discussed and agreed with the hiring manager.

Benefits

You’ll also enjoy the kind of great benefits that you’d expect from one of London's largest employers. These include annual leave, civil service pension arrangements, interest‑free season ticket loans, membership of Met sports and social clubs, flexible working conditions and many more.

Essential Qualifications

• Degree in a relevant scientific or engineering discipline accredited by the appropriate professional body, plus at least 5 years relevant experience.
• Alternative UK OfQual defined Level 6 qualification in a relevant science or engineering discipline, plus at least 10 years relevant experience.
• Membership of a recognised professional body.
• Chartered registration with a recognised professional body.
• Driving licence with category B (vehicles up to 3500 kg).

Desirable Qualifications

• Post‑graduate degree in a relevant scientific or engineering discipline accredited by the appropriate professional body.
• Fellowship of a recognised professional body.
• Experience of manufacturing or handling energetic materials for the purpose of testing and evaluation.
• Experience of risk assessment and managing Health and Safety hazards.
• Driving licence with category C1/D1 (vehicles up to 7500 kg).

Disability Confident Statement

The Met is committed to being an equitable (fair and impartial) and inclusive employer for disabled people, striving to have a diverse and representative workforce at all levels. We encourage applications from people from the widest possible range of backgrounds, cultures and experiences. We particularly welcome applications from people with disabilities and long‑term conditions, ethnic minority groups and women.

As a Disability Confident Leader, the Met has committed to making disability equality part of our everyday practice. We ensure that people with disabilities and those with long‑term conditions have the opportunities to fulfil their potential and realise their aspirations.

The Met is committed to making reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process to ensure disabled applicants can perform at their best. If you need any reasonable adjustments or changes to the application and recruitment process, we ask that you include this information within your application form. All matters will be treated in strict confidence.