Logistics Operative in Didcot

Salary: £25,842 | UKRI Band B | Closing date: 10th May 2026

Contract Type: Open-ended (Permanent)

Hours: Full-time

Location: Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Harwell, Oxfordshire OX11 0QX

Together, our scientists, technologists, engineers 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.

Key accountabilities

This post will include a range of key responsibilities for logistics and shipping activities, mainly centred around the reception desk. Duties include managing incoming deliveries, resolving logistics queries, and engaging with internal and external stakeholders to ensure that goods are processed efficiently. The post holder will ensure that the daily activities and operations comply with STFC SHE Codes and industry standards, taking responsibility to use PPE equipment and to adhere to safe working practices.

Responsibilities

• Reception desk function, acting as first point of contact for customers.
• Provision of the postal function.
• Monitor and respond to the Logistics email inbox.
• Receipting and processing incoming goods.
• Investigate and resolve delivery issues.
• Maintain in-house stock database.
• Packaging and despatch of goods, including despatch.
• Sorting and franking of daily in/out-coming post from/for Royal Mail.
• Handling of hazardous materials such as oils, acids and chemicals.
• Planning and arranging collection, deliveries of goods.
• Liaise with the heavy gang to arrange delivery of heavy and oversized goods to customers around site.
• Ensure that agreed logistics Service Level Agreement is supported and met, and that customer feedback is recorded and responded to.
• Adopt any agreed standard operating processes for tasks and functions to ensure consistent practice.
• Actively contribute to ensuring that the R56 operating area is clean and debris-free.
• Support continuous improvement and undertake training.
• Undertake additional duties at the request of the Logistics and Transport Manager, or Estates Senior Managers that are considered reasonable and commensurate with your post.

Health and Safety

• Undertake all required mandatory H&S training.
• Undertake risk assessments to ensure safe manual handling.
• Ensure principles of good housekeeping are maintained and to ensure health and safety for your own actions as well as others.

Administration

• Entering data into databases and using web-based systems.
• Retaining and managing records and data efficiently and electronically where possible.
• Logging imports and labelling for internal delivery.

Essential shortlisting criteria

• 5 GCSEs (including English and maths, grade C/ level 4), or other equivalent qualifications/experience.
• Relevant health and safety knowledge and awareness.
• Good level of literacy and numeracy with attention to detail and accuracy.
• Able to establish priorities and accomplish multiple tasks with minimal supervision.
• Use of Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, Outlook) and ability to use web-based systems.
• Experience of maintaining and retrieving data records and recording information accurately.
• Good communication skills.
• Able to manage customer expectations through polite and professional attitude.
• Trouble shooting and problem-solving approach.
• Must be capable of performing all aspects of the role, including manual handling of parcels and packages.

Benefits

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, a workplace nursery, exceptional average salary pension scheme, social and sporting activities and societies and a subsidised restaurant.

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.

As this job does not fulfil the UK Government minimum criterion for obtaining sponsored migrant worker status, we will be unable to apply for sponsorship for anyone not eligible to work in the UK. At interview, all shortlisted candidates are required to bring with them identification documents and original documents that prove they hold or can obtain the right to work in the UK.