Senior Scientist

Every minute of every day, Smiths Detection’s threat detection and security screening technology helps to protect people and infrastructure, making the world a safer place.

Smiths Detection is a global leader in the development, manufacture and management of security and detection solutions designed to make the world a safer place. Our technology provides threat detection and screening solutions for customers in our key markets: aviation, ports and borders, defence, and urban security.

Our expertise spans 21 global offices, seven manufacturing sites and five R&D centres, with a global network of 3,000 dedicated colleagues contributing towards over 40 years at the frontline of advances in safety and security.

This results in careers built on variety and the opportunity to work on a range of state-of-the-art solutions, where you can develop your knowledge and experience every day.

Job Description

As a Senior Scientist within our Innovation Team, you will play a pivotal role in shaping the future of chemical, explosives and narcotics detection technologies.

Unlike traditional product support roles, this position focuses on early-stage research, technology assessment, prototype evaluation and scientific innovation. You'll help determine which technologies have the potential to become the next generation of Smiths Detection products, working at the intersection of science, engineering and security.

This is an opportunity for a technically strong scientist with leadership capability, commercial awareness and scientific curiosity to influence future technology direction and work on some of the most challenging detection problems in the industry.

What You'll Be Doing

As a Senior Scientist, you will lead scientific investigations and innovation activities from concept through to technical proof of principle.

Key responsibilities include:

• Leading scientific work packages and research activities within the Innovation portfolio
• Designing and executing experiments to answer complex technical questions
• Developing and evaluating novel detection technologies and concepts
• Assessing the viability, performance and potential application of emerging technologies
• Supporting prototype development and technology demonstrators
• Leading root-cause investigations and scientific problem solving activities
• Analysing, modelling and interpreting complex datasets
• Producing high-quality technical reports, presentations and recommendations
• Presenting findings and influencing decision-making with technical and non-technical stakeholders
• Engaging with external collaborators including research organisations, universities, government bodies and technology partners
• Supporting technology transfer activities as innovation projects mature into product development programmes
• Representing Smiths Detection at scientific conferences, customer engagements and industry events

In the short term, you will also provide support to strategic development programmes, requiring regular travel to Salisbury and collaboration with external stakeholders.

What We're Looking For

We're seeking an experienced scientist who combines strong technical expertise with leadership potential, commercial awareness and the ability to operate with a high degree of autonomy.

• Experience leading scientific investigations or research activities
• Strong experimental design and problem-solving skills
• Experience developing, modifying, troubleshooting or evaluating scientific instrumentation
• Advanced data analysis and interpretation capability
• Experience delivering technical recommendations to senior stakeholders
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• The ability to work independently from high-level objectives and define the scientific approach required
• A track record of identifying opportunities, challenging assumptions and driving technical progress

Preferred Experience

We are particularly interested in candidates with experience in one or more of the following:

• Ion Mobility Spectrometry (IMS)
• Mass Spectrometry
• X-ray technologies
• Analytical chemistry instrumentation
• Instrument development and integration
• Detection technologies
• Scientific research and development environments
• Prototype development and…