Aviation Psychologist, RAF Centre of Aerospace Medicine

A unique opportunity has arisen to work as an Aviation Psychologist at the RAF Centre of Aerospace Medicine (CAM), RAF Henlow. This post would be suited ideally to a Psychologist or Human Factors specialist with enthusiasm and experience in the aviation environment.
The purpose of this role is to provide specialist aviation psychology and Human Factors (HF) advice to relevant stakeholders within the UK.
Key activities:
1. Providing HF input to military air accident investigations. This input will be under the guidance of the Head of Aviation Psychology and will include: Collection of HF evidence, analysing evidence, liaising with stakeholders, report writing, and developing recommendations to improve safety and reduce the likelihood of recurrence.
2. Responding to requests for specialist HF and aviation psychology advice from operational teams.
3. Leading specific projects to research HF topics.
4. Liaising with organisations undertaking relevant HF research.
5. Providing support to HF training provision, including liaison with RAF CAM training section and delivery of specialist training where appropriate.
6. Attendance at and input to relevant HF panels and working groups
This position is advertised at 37 hours per week., The role is based within the Accident Investigation and Human Factors (AIHF) Section at the Royal Air Force Centre of Aerospace Medicine (RAF CAM), RAF Henlow. The position will be working within a small team of aviation psychologists which will provide specialist advice to support military air accident investigation and undertake a range of other duties with the aim of identifying and addressing flight safety issues. It is likely that this may involve some overseas and UK travel.
In addition to supporting aircraft accident investigations the incumbent will conduct operational studies to assist units in identifying HF issues that could increase the risk of air accidents and will include: liaising with operational teams to plan for and set-up visits, undertaking observations and interviews, analysing qualitative information, briefing the unit on HF issues, report writing and developing recommendations to mitigate issues identified., We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
+ Communicating and Influencing
+ Changing and Improving
+ Delivering at Pace, The nature of the work undertaken provides excellent opportunities for development of aviation psychology knowledge and skills. In addition, there are anticipated to be opportunities to undertake training courses and to attend and present at specialist conferences.
RAF Henlow is well placed for transport links to London and elsewhere and the facilities include catering, and gym (charges may apply). However, it is likely that RAF CAM will relocate to Lincolnshire in the mid-term. Single living accommodation (charges apply) including access to designated parking may be available for an initial period to permit the successful applicant to find local accommodation. The successful applicant may apply to become a member of the RAF Officers’ Mess, enabling access to Mess facilities and social events. Further information at http://www.raf.mod.uk/rafhenlow/.
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., Candidates will be required to provide CV details to include job history; qualification details and previous skills and experience.
Candidates will be required to provide a statement of suitability (250 words)
You will be assessed against the following Success Profiles Behaviours at both Application and Interview:
+ Communicating and Influencing
+ Changing and Improving
+ Delivering at Pace
At Interview, you will be assessed against one Success Profiles Strength.
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equality of opportunity. There is a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. If you need to advise us that you need additional help or reasonable adjustments for the recruitment process, please contact: DBSCivPers-Resourcingteam3@mod.gov.uk .
As a result of the changes to the UK immigration rules which came into effect on 1 January 2021, the Ministry of Defence will only offer sponsorship for a skilled worker visa under the points based system, where a role has been deemed to be business critical.
The role currently being advertised has not been assessed as business critical and is therefore NOT open to applications from those who will require sponsorship under the points based system. Should you apply for this role and be found to require sponsorship, your application will be rejected and any provisional offer of employment withdrawn.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
+ UK nationals
+ nationals of the Republic of Ireland
+ nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
+ nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
+ nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
+ individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
+ Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

The post holder must have a psychology degree (Or equivalent) that confers the Graduate Basis for Registration with the British Psychological Society. In addition, a master’s degree in a relevant discipline (such as ergonomics, human factors, occupational psychology) is desirable but not mandated.
Experience of applying psychology principles and/or working in the aviation domain is also desirable, Psychology degree (Or equivalent) that confers the Graduate Basis for Registration with the British Psychological Society

The role provides opportunities to visit and work closely with users within the UK aviation community including air traffic controllers, aircraft engineers, and aircrew. As such, the role involves regular travel within the UK and occasional travel overseas.

Alongside your salary of £35,290, Ministry of Defence contributes £9,528 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.