If so, this is an exceptional opportunity to deliver reports and policy advice to ensure that government is best placed to maintain the highest standards in the welfare of animals used in research.

Location: Central London.

Time commitment: The expected time commitment is up to 20 days per year.

Remuneration: Unremunerated; however travel and subsistence expenses will be reimbursed.

The Animals in Science Committee (ASC) is a non-departmental public body sponsored by the Home Office to provide independent advice to the government on the use of animals in scientific procedures, advise the Animal Welfare Ethical Review Bodies on good practice, and exchange information with other national bodies within the European Union.

We are seeking a new chair with the ability to set the strategic direction of the ASC and oversee the development and delivery of independent and expert advice to government. The successful candidate will ideally have:

• committee experience at a senior level, including strong organisational and communication skills and the ability to effectively chair multi-disciplinary meetings
• experience of negotiating between conflicting expert opinions

You will possess the ability to think logically and objectively in analysing complex information in order to identify key issues and make effective decisions, including excellent judgement under pressure. Therefore a clear understanding of the role of scientific advice in informing policy in an area of political and public attention and sensitivity is essential.

This will be a 3-year appointment with the possibility of re-appointment.

More information and details of how to apply.

The closing date for applications is midnight on Sunday 11 March 2018.

We value and promote diversity and are committed to equality of opportunity for all and appointments made on merit

At the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), we work to harness science and technology (S&T) to protect our nation – bringing together the best ideas in sometimes unexpected ways.

Because we provide the UK government with specialist S&T research, advice and analysis, our work is often sensitive or international in nature. Much is operationally critical and has the potential to save many lives. All of it is fascinating.

Crucially, we work with other brilliant people – collaborating with everyone from small companies and world-class universities to large defence companies and other nations. Together, we develop battle-winning technologies, based on deep and widespread research, to support UK military operations now and into the future.

We are on the lookout for apprentices to join us at Dstl. Alongside your training you will earn money and get the chance to work on mind-blowing projects in a truly unique environment. It’s an inspiring setting where you can develop wide-ranging skills and gain experience, while learning from some of the brightest minds in the UK.

All of our current vacancies are published on the Civil Service Jobs site.

Electrical Engineering Apprenticeship

Dstl employs some of the world’s brightest people. We are always on the lookout for talented, dedicated, creative and innovative individuals to join us.

As an electrical engineer apprentice you will be on a 3 year structured training programme with the chance to experience work across Dstl on different work placements. You will be part of a team of highly skilled and dedicated employees based at our Porton Down site in Salisbury.

Apply now on the Civil Service Jobs site – reference 1572362

Embedded Electronics System and Design Engineer Apprenticeship

Do you want to really make a difference? Be part of an internationally recognised team? Use your practical and theoretical electronics experience?

Join our Platform Systems Division as a degree apprentice. The division supports the Ministry of Defence and other government departments in a broad range of groundbreaking technical research areas. We respond to current and future demands ensuring that the UK retains a battle-winning advantage.

We strengthen and protect our armed forces through groundbreaking technical research. It means safeguarding armoured vehicles, warships and aircraft against the harshest combat environments and providing the most advanced weapon capabilities. Crucially, we ensure that all of this technology and equipment across the military operates together seamlessly.

Apply now on the Civil Service Jobs site – reference 1572410

Cyber and Information Systems Degree Apprenticeship

Do you have a passion for technology? At Dstl we’re looking for people that live and breathe technology. Maybe you have a flare for:

• Creativity
• Systems thinking
• Innovation
• Digital embracement

To ensure we stay ahead of the game, we are always on the lookout for talented, dedicated, creative and innovative individuals to contribute to our team. If you think this sounds like you, we would love to hear from you. Cyber and Information Systems Division is the digital hub of the lab with cutting edge facilities. You could be supporting our world-class cyber capability and countering attacks in cyber-space.

This is not a stereotypical ‘computer hacker’ role – it takes an incredible variety of people to achieve our goals. Here you’ll use your computer skills to advance the tools, techniques and tradecrafts required to ensure the UK is able to establish a world-class cyber capability, including the ability to counter-attack in cyberspace.

Apply now on the Civil Service Jobs site – reference 1572368

Data Analyst Apprenticeship

Our Defence and Security Analysis Division supports the Ministry of Defence and other government departments to ensure intelligent decision making is at the heart of the UK Defence and Security. We develop innovative analytical tools and techniques to take advantage of new advances in science and technology, and provide experienced human and social science advice to maximise the performance of whole systems across the Ministry of Defence and government.

We have a number of project areas in which could work spanning the breadth of UK’s Defence and Security including: the Air and Maritime environments; Modelling and Simulation, Wargaming and statistics; Policy analysis and support; and Human and Social Sciences.

This is an excellent apprenticeship opportunity in Dstl, a Ministry of Defence Agency, for a Data Analyst within the Defence and Security Analysis Division with excellent future career prospects in Data Science, Analysis and the Defence Enterprise.

You will be joining our team of highly skilled and dedicated employees based primarily at our Portsdown West site in Fareham.

Apply now on the Civil Service Jobs site – reference 1572423

Associate Project Management Apprenticeship

Do you want a role where you can show off your organisational skills?

We have an exciting opportunity to join Dstl as an Associate Project Manager Apprentice. You will get to work with our Project Managers in delivering exciting projects giving science and technology support to Defence customers.

Opportunities are available in either our Platform Systems or Defence and Security Analysis Division, where you can support the management of some exciting projects.

Apply now on the Civil Service Jobs site – reference 1572394

Commercial Apprenticeship

Can you communicate effectively, work as part of a team, think on your feet, have the drive to deliver and get things done and able to take personal responsibility for your work and continuous development?

There are apprenticeship vacancies in our Commercial function, based at either of our Portsdown West, Fareham or Porton Down, Salisbury sites.

You will work alongside our Procurement professionals and have a unique opportunity to work at the forefront of Defence research procuring a variety of requirements from materials for our laboratories to delivering research requirements through a range of procurement routes including framework contracts.

Apply now on the Civil Service Jobs site – reference 1572386

Laboratory Technician Apprenticeship

Do you have a passion for science; are you enthusiastic, motivated and willing to learn?

We have an exciting opportunity to join Dstl as a laboratory technician apprentice within our Chemical Biological and Radiological Division (CBR), at Porton Down, Salisbury. Our CBR division is the UK’s centre of excellence for chemical, biological, radiological and medical science and technology within government.

Dstl Lab Technician Apprentice talks about her role

We provide an integrated capability, delivering longer term research as well as short term advice and consultancy. You will get to work on exciting projects and work alongside internationally renowned scientists. We need people who can use their skills to innovate and develop technologies which give our country the winning edge.

As an apprentice at Dstl you will learn the technical elements of running a lab, maintaining stock and working on project work that truly makes a difference.

Apply now on the Civil Service Jobs site – reference 1572420

Defence Minister Mark Lancaster presents the Right Honourable Bidya Devi Bhandari with the Gurkha Annual Report. Crown copyright.

Residents, businesses and road users in and around Winchester are being encouraged to ensure their voice is heard as a public consultation on improvements to junction 9 on the M3 enters its final week.

The six week public consultation, which began on 9 January 2018 runs until 19 February, is seeking views on plans for a major upgrade to junction 9 of the M3, where the motorway meets the A34.

Under the plans, junction 9 will be redesigned to create dedicated free flow lanes which will allow drivers travelling between the M3 and the A34 to avoid using the junction roundabout. The roundabout itself will be redesigned into a new ‘dumbbell’ layout, which will increase capacity, improve safety and make journey times more reliable.

Highways England project manager Simon Hewett said:

I would like to thank everyone who has been to see the team at an exhibition or have submitted their feedback through the website. These are ambitious plans which will make a huge difference to people using this busy interchange and there is still time for those who haven’t yet had their say on the proposals to do so before the consultation ends on Monday 19 February.

There are still two exhibitions to go, both in Kings Worthy, so it would be great for people who have not yet had their say to come and see the team to talk about the plans.

The proposed free-flow interchange will help to reduce congestion by removing the need for through traffic to use the roundabout, in turn improving safety. The proposals include:

• introducing free-flow slip roads, both northbound and southbound between the M3 and A34, so traffic intending to use the interchange will not need to enter the roundabout at the junction
• reconfiguring the roundabout to a new ‘dumbbell’ road layout increasing capacity and reducing congestion
• upgrading the cycle routes to complete the gap in route 23 of the National Cycle Network
• upgrades to footpaths and improved bridleway access for horse riders

Highways England has so far held three information exhibitions at venues in the area so that people could see the proposals and put any questions directly to the project team. There are two more events to go on Friday 16 and Saturday 17 February at the Tubbs Hall and Kings Worthy Community Centre, and there is still time for people to collect consultation material at various locations in and around Winchester, and also have their say via the website.

For more information on details of the proposals, public information events and how to have your say, go to the scheme website.

General enquiries

Members of the public should contact the Highways England customer contact centre on 0300 123 5000.

Media enquiries

Journalists should contact the Highways England press office on 0844 693 1448 and use the menu to speak to the most appropriate press officer.

The Department of Health is working on a transformation programme for the procurement of consumables in the NHS. Consumables includes everything from baked beans to MRI machines, and represents £6 billion worth of sales per annum.

The transformation involves buying these supplies in a different way and the Department is keen to involve SMEs in that supply chain.

Join this webinar to hear from Paul Webster, Head of Supplier Relationship Management at Department of Health and Social Care, on the timetable for transformation and how SMEs can make the most of this valuable opportunity.