Science and Technology Facilities Council

Salary: £52,907 – £58,198 per annum | Open Ended | Full Time | Closing Date: 15th February 2026

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.

As a Fire Safety Advisor (FSA) you will provide effective fire safety advice and guidance, management and delivery of key functions such as Fire Risk Assessments (FRAs), training and emergency planning all in direct support of delivering an effective fire risk management system to assist STFC in meeting its legislative obligations. The post holder will provide competent advice as required under Article 18 of the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005.

The role is mainly an onsite role, primarily based at Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, though occasional travel to other STFC sites may be required.

Summary of Duties

• Provide fire safety advice to staff, tenants, contractors, visitors and facility users in respect to fire safety legislation and its implementation.

• Support the review and implementation of STFC Fire Risk Management strategy and objectives, offering technical guidance and assisting the development of supporting working processes and practices.

• Provide assurance and support to departmental directors regarding department performance in relation to fire risk management. Attend department safety management committees and forums and prepare associated reports and information.

• Engage, mentor and develop Building Fire Co-ordinators (BFCs) and department line managers to ensure that fire safety is managed effectively at department and building level. This includes audit and assurance activity during departmental safety tours and on an ad-hoc basis to measure performance.

• Conduct and manage FRAs within your defined area of responsibility, working with external fire safety consultants and stakeholders to facilitate visits and provide technical advice. Work with BFCs, Departments, Estates and other stakeholders to ensure that action plans are managed effectively and closed out in a timely manner.

• Undertake regular reviews to ensure that FRAs remain effective. Ensure that in the event of significant change, a fire or serious occurrence, the adequacy of the FRAs is assessed and issues or deficiencies are tracked and addressed in a timely manner.

• Assist with the delivery and development of the fire evacuation drill programme for occupied buildings. Produce reports to identify areas of improvements, actions and document good practice/performance where applicable. Ensure actions are tracked to closure.

• Provide technical fire safety advice regarding Building Regulations compliance for minor projects, refurbishments and changes of use. Assist in the building handover process prior to STFC acceptance to ensure required standards have been met, and passive and active fire protection measures are in good order and are fully operational. Ensure that sufficient Regulation 38 documentation has been provided and verified.

• Assist with the development and delivery of fire safety training.

• Assist in maintaining a comprehensive team of trained building wardens and BFCs for sites within your area of responsibility, and ensure that training exercises are undertaken with the site’s Security Team and any response teams.

• Support and advise the Estates Compliance Team to ensure that maintenance of fire safety equipment is carried out in accordance with approved Codes of Practice, and that accurate records are maintained.

• Conduct investigations of reported fire incidents, false alarms, near misses and unsafe conditions. Document investigations in STFC’s incident reporting system (Evotix) ensuring that they are investigated, and root cause(s) of incidents are identified to drive continuous improvement and minimise likelihood of reoccurrence.

• Ensure that fire signage and fire safety equipment are appropriately located. Ensure that fire information folders, including those held by security and local Fire and Rescue services, are updated and maintained.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

• Commitment to diversity and inclusivity – champions diversity and embeds a fair and ethical approach within the organisation.

• Openness to change – drives and manages the change process, seeking opportunities to create and implement improved organisational effectiveness. Committed to self-development and the development of others.

• Confidence and resilience – consistently projects and promotes a confident, controlled and focused attitude.

• Working with others – capable of working alone and as part of a team. Can work collaboratively and provide influence at all levels of an organisation as well as working with external stakeholders.

• Effective communication – communicates effectively both orally and in writing.

• Situational awareness – maintains an active awareness of the environment to promote safe and effective working.

• Planning and implementing – creates and implements effective plans to deliver long-term organisational strategic objectives. Anticipates future change and requirements.

Essential skills/qualifications

Applicants must meet the below essential criteria to be considered, and these should be covered in CVs and/or covering letters. The criteria will be assessed at shortlisting (S), interview (I) or both (S&I).

• Level 4 Certificate in Fire Safety (Fire Auditors), or equivalent. (S)

• Membership of either the Institute of Fire Engineers of Institute of Fire Safety Managers (MIFireE or MIFSM). (S)

• Level 3 trainer/assessor qualification (PTLLS, Level 3 in Education and Training, or equivalent). (S)

• Demonstrable experience in management of fire safety, conducting FRAs and delivering fire safety training. (S&I)

• A minimum of 25 hours of CPD in the last 12-month period, or 75 hours over the last 3-year period. (S)

Through interview the individual must be able to demonstrate a good working knowledge of:

• BS9997:2019 Fire Risk Management Systems. (I)

• Undertaking FRAs in line with PAS79. (I)

• Current and forthcoming fire safety legislation, including the Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005, the Fire (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Fire Safety (Scotland) Regulations 2006. (I)

• Building Regulations:

  • Approved Document B

  • BS9999:2017

  • BS 7974 Approach. (I)

• Microsoft Office applications. (I)

For any queries, or for more details regarding this role, please contact [email protected].

What we can offer you:

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.

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 [email protected].

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.

The role holder will be required to have the appropriate level of security screening/vetting required for the role.  UKRI reserves the right to run or re-run security clearance as required during the course of employment.