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Scientist - Physicist

Scientist - Physicist

Health and science

Level 6 - Professional Occupation

Carrying out technical and scientific activity in laboratories.

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Reference: OCC0626C

Status: assignment_turned_inApproved occupation

Technical Education Products

ST0626:

Scientist - Physicist

(Level 6)

Approved for delivery

Employers involved in creating the standard:

AstraZeneca, AWE, Carbogen Amcis Ltd, Catapult Network, Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult, Cogent Skills, Croda International Plc, DSTL, ETA Awards, Exmoor Pharma, Fera Science, Fujifilm, Diosynth Biotechnologies, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), Institute of Biomedical Science, Keele University, Labcorp, Leeds City College, LGC Group, Manchester Metropolitan University, Marshall Assessment, National Nuclear Laboratory, NCG, NCH at Northeastern, North Bristol NHS Trust, Oxbridge Biomedica, Oxford Nano Systems, Pfizer, Reading Scientific Services Limited, Royal Society of Chemistry, Science Council, SIAS, Sterling Pharma Solutions, Sterling PSL, Teesside University, Thames Water, The Open University, UCB.Com, UK Health Security Agency, University of Birmingham, University of Bradford, University of Kent, University of Newcastle, University of Nottingham, University of Wolverhampton, Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated

Summary

This occupation is found in a wide range of science, technology, engineering and manufacturing organisations which could include chemical, pharmaceutical, biotechnology, environmental, engineering, formulated products, consumer products, nuclear, defence, analytical services and academic environments.

The individuals are likely to conduct procedures or experiments in research or laboratory environments. These locations could be wide ranging and could include the completion of field based work. 

Scientists are employed across a range of employers from micro through to multinational employers. 

The broad purpose of the occupation is to design complex and sustainable scientific investigations and lead on the development of work plans as well as completing scientific procedures using standard and specialist equipment and instrumentation.

Scientists interpret, analyse and evaluate data, present conclusions and justify further investigations. 

They apply scientific knowledge, concepts and ideas to address problems and root causes and identify opportunities for continuous improvement. Scientists are likely to be employed in chemical scientist, physicist or biologist related occupations. 

  • Chemical scientists may design and carry out complex chemical science based investigations and use analytical instrumentation and equipment to perform measurements. This could include the synthesis of compounds, the analysis of substances to determine their composition and properties, or the testing of materials and substances. 
  • A physicist studies the interactions of matter and energy. They study the extremes of scale, from very small objects (such as molecules, atoms and subatomic particles) to very large objects (such as galaxies). They use the principles of physics and their knowledge of mathematics to conduct research, develop and test theories and solve practical problems. They may develop new, or use existing, technologies and they may collaborate with engineers and other scientists to develop and improve products.
  • Biological scientists typically design complex biological investigations. They translate a research question into an experimental hypothesis and collect data to identify relationships between dependent and independent variables. Measures can be made in vivo (in living organisms) and in vitro.

In their daily work, an employee in this occupation interacts with colleagues throughout their working environment. This may typically include technicians, scientists, service engineers, supply chain contacts, technical professionals, business professionals, internal and external customers, other scientists and academics.

An employee in this occupation is responsible for coordinating and applying knowledge of scientific concepts, techniques and practical methods in laboratory and field-based experimentation, diagnostics or analysis. 

They are likely to work as part of a wider scientific team, which may include laboratory technologist and laboratory technicians.  They deliver scientific value to their organisation, whilst contributing to the development of others.

They are responsible for working safely and ethically and adopting sustainable working practices at all times.   

They monitor risk and compliance with regulatory and non-regulatory compliance requirements and procedures and operate within organisational codes of conduct. 

They are responsible for maintaining their continuous professional development and for providing support to colleagues.

 

Employers involved in creating the standard:

AstraZeneca, AWE, Carbogen Amcis Ltd, Catapult Network, Cell and Gene Therapy Catapult, Cogent Skills, Croda International Plc, DSTL, ETA Awards, Exmoor Pharma, Fera Science, Fujifilm, Diosynth Biotechnologies, GlaxoSmithKline (GSK), Institute of Biomedical Science, Keele University, Labcorp, Leeds City College, LGC Group, Manchester Metropolitan University, Marshall Assessment, National Nuclear Laboratory, NCG, NCH at Northeastern, North Bristol NHS Trust, Oxbridge Biomedica, Oxford Nano Systems, Pfizer, Reading Scientific Services Limited, Royal Society of Chemistry, Science Council, SIAS, Sterling Pharma Solutions, Sterling PSL, Teesside University, Thames Water, The Open University, UCB.Com, UK Health Security Agency, University of Birmingham, University of Bradford, University of Kent, University of Newcastle, University of Nottingham, University of Wolverhampton, Vertex Pharmaceuticals Incorporated

Typical job titles include:

Accelerator physicist
Acoustic scientist
Analytical chemist
Associate scientist
Astro physicist
Bio scientist
Biologist
Chemist
Development chemist
Electron microscope technician
Environmental assurance officer
Experimental scientist
Field biologist
Formation scientist
Graduate scientist
Laboratory analyst
Laboratory scientist
Material scientist
Medicinal chemist
Molecular biologist
Noise and vibration scientist
Optical scientist
Pharmaceutical scientist
Physicist
Process scientist
Scientist
Space physicist
Space scientist
Translational scientist

Keywords:

Laboratory
Laboratory Scientist
Science
Science Council
Scientific Activity

Knowledge, skills and behaviours (KSBs)

K1: The underlying scientific techniques, principles, theories, concepts and terminology applied to scientific investigations and experiments relevant to the role application.
K2: How scientific techniques and research methodologies can be applied to inform the development of science and technology.
K3: Requirements for the development and validation of analytical methodology, including the theoretical basis and limitations, and selection of appropriate equipment used for scientific applications.
K4: Sampling method selection appropriate to the application.
K5: How statistical techniques can be applied to inform experimental design, test hypotheses, evaluate results, and draw evidence based conclusions.
K6: The principles of implementing new processes based on a variety of information and data sources from inside and outside the organisation.
K7: Knowing when, how and why to escalate appropriately and recognising limits of scope of practice.
K8: Project management principles and stakeholder management.
K9: How to identify and recommend appropriate workflow improvements or scientific solutions.
K10: The requirements of internal and external stakeholders.
K11: The internal and external regulatory environment and codes of conduct pertinent to the occupation, including, quality, health and safety, ethics, sustainability and the environment.
K12: The business environment in which the company operates and its impact on the role.
K13: Methods available to evaluate own performance and knowledge, and how to set personal development goals aligned to organisational objectives.
K14: Tools and Information sources available to keep up to date with advances in technology and scientific working practices.
K15: How to select communication methods to influence scientific, non-scientific, specialist and technical audiences.
K16: How to determine the scope and success criteria for complex scientific investigations and procedures.
K17: Techniques to identify and test the theory of probable root cause of problems, verify functionality and implement solutions.
K18: Calibration techniques and strategies to ensure accuracy, limits of detection, precision, standardisation and repeatability in measurements.
K19: Methods used to assess and prioritise stakeholders affected by your business or project.
K20: Approaches to supporting sustainability by reference to emissions targets, environmental management systems and personal responsibilities.
K21: How other roles in the organisation can contribute to achieving sustainability goals.
K22: The importance of keeping up to date with recent developments and applications of science relevant to the role, and the benefits that can be realised through their adoption across the wider business.
K32: Mathematics methods and theories applied in physics including complex numbers, vector calculus, matrices with eigenvalues and eigenvectors, probability and statistical techniques.
K33: The fundamental areas of physics including electromagnetism, quantum and classical mechanics, statistical physics and thermodynamics, wave phenomena and the properties of matter.
K34: The application of the fundamental principles of physics relevant to role. For example atomic physics, environmental physics, fluids, hard and soft condensed matter, materials, medical physics, nuclear and particle physics, optics, and plasmas, as well as the application of physics to other disciplines.
K35: Safe operational working practices and physics hazards, including electricity and electrical equipment, electrostatic generators, lasers, ionizing and non-ionising radiation, compressed gases, pressurised and vacuum systems, mechanical and thermal, cryogenic hazard, clean room, magnetic fields.
K36: Use of instruments in physics studies relevant to their role (such as measuring, optical, electrical, heat and thermodynamic equipment, semiconductor devices, gravity, wave and sound related apparatus).
K37: How numerical analysis and computational physics can be applied to solve problems.
K38: How to use computer programming to solve physics based problems.
K39: Knowledge of the structure and dynamics of the universe, including composition and behaviour down to subatomic particles.
K45: The structure and function of biologically important molecules and the molecular events that govern their function.

S1: Identify and apply scientific approaches to solve problems, support investigations and recommend any follow-up experiments.
S2: Evaluate scientific experiments using an appropriate level of qualitative and quantitative numerical analysis.
S3: Critically analyse data, relevant literature and input from colleagues to inform investigations.
S4: Analyse, interpret and evaluate scientific data and present the results in written and oral form.
S5: Manage record keeping to ensure data integrity, traceability, confidentiality and adherence with appropriate regulatory requirements.
S6: Promote, enact, document, and monitor the application of quality standards, safe working practices and compliance with risk management systems relevant to the role.
S7: Identify opportunities to challenge assumptions and apply influencing skills to make improvements, make new proposals and build on existing ideas.
S8: Manage work plan, prioritise tasks and evaluate progress against objectives.
S9: Contribute to the development of technical projects across multi-skilled teams and share best practice across the wider business.
S10: Conduct complex (chemical, or physical, or biological) scientific investigations in accordance with defined company procedures and legislative requirements.
S11: Identify and implement continuous performance improvement using appropriate techniques.
S12: Ensure work meets environmental, risk management and sustainability requirements and regulations of the business sector.
S13: Evaluate own performance and knowledge, and set personal development goals.
S14: Troubleshoot equipment selection and implement sustainable solutions.
S15: Identify and collaborate with key stakeholders and provide technical support and advice where required.
S16: Identify how other roles in the organisation can contribute to achieving sustainability goals.
S17: Select and apply equipment, techniques, and methods to ensure reliable and accurate results.
S18: Undertake practical analyses and measurement and communicate the outcomes using appropriate terminology and mathematical and graphical notation.
S19: Use appropriate digital solutions for the collection and analysis of data, and the retrieval of appropriate information.
S20: Use communication methods suited to objective and audience.
S21: Use theoretical models, often involving approximations, to make quantitative predictions.
S27: Critically compare the results of theoretical or computational modelling with those from experiment and observation.
S28: Apply physics theories to solve problems that cross scientific discipline boundaries.
S29: Apply computational techniques to analysis and model physical behaviour.
S30: Apply physics concepts and theories to investigations.
S31: Design, develop and carry out physics based investigations.
S32: Use mathematical techniques and theories to solve physics problems.
S33: Use computer programming software to solve physics based problems.

B1: Takes personal responsibility for sustainable outcomes and encourages others to achieve sustainability goals.
B2: Leads by example and advocates for change.
B3: Embraces equality, diversity and inclusion
B4: Uses initiative to develop and identify new ideas.
B5: Committed to and encourages collaborative working.
B6: Acts autonomously with self motivation.
B7: Takes responsibility for the critical evaluation of own capabilities and development.
B8: Upholds company and professional values, and demonstrating integrity, and respect for confidentiality.
B9: Committed to the adoption and promotion of safe working practices.

Duties

Duty D1

Generate and manage workplans collaboratively to achieve scientific project outcomes.

Duty D2

Evaluate, use, justify and troubleshoot scientific equipment selection.

Duty D3

Combine, compare and critically evaluate data from diverse and complex sources and draw conclusions.

Duty D4

Evaluate and select tools to produce, process and interpret analytical results reliably.

Duty D5

Identify and collaborate with key stakeholders and provide technical support and advice.

Duty D6

Present and justify the outcome of investigations and procedures to scientific and non-scientific audiences.

Duty D7

Identify the root cause of problems and implement solutions.

Duty D8

Apply scientific knowledge to ensure continuous performance improvement within the scientific and technical environment.

Duty D9

Monitor health and safety risks and regulatory and non-regulatory compliance of scientific procedures.

Duty D10

Keep up to date with advances in technology and working practices and share learning across the wider business and stakeholder network.

Duty D11

Select working practices, taking account of environmental and sustainability factors.

Duty D15

Design or propose sustainable and complex physics based scientific investigations and procedures.

Duty D16

Perform and lead physics scientific tasks, investigations and procedures.

Duty D17

Lead the completion of physics based scientific projects.