This newly-created role offers an excellent opportunity for a highly skilled safety professional to help lead a comprehensive project to strengthen and broaden the culture of safety and risk management in a cutting-edge university department. This position is also split between the Department of Computer Science at 40% and the Department of Materials at 60%, which are two departments with very different safety risk profiles.
As Deputy Departmental Safety Officer for Computer Science, you will support the Department Safety Officer (DSO) with advisory responsibility for a growing portfolio of risks in a rapidly evolving area of research. As Materials has a higher and more varied risk profile, you will support their DSO in advising on the wide range of risks created by their teaching and research, and will provide dedicated safety support for Materials researchers in the Rex Richards Building. You will have the opportunity to apply what you learn in one department to the other, and you will be a core member of the MPLS Divisional Safety Network.
You will work closely with academic staff, providing them with support, advice and training in all relevant areas of health and safety. As part of this you will require excellent written and verbal communication skills, particularly the ability to explain complex technical information to non-experts.
You will have a demonstrable ability to managing risk in a laboratory-based environment and a strong dedication to facilitating innovative, safe world-leading teaching and research. You will actively promote a strong safety culture and facilitate innovative, safe teaching and research across the Departments. Excellent interpersonal and observational skills are essential, along with the ability to meet strict deadlines.
All applications must be made online using the Oxford University E-Recruitment system, no later than 12 noon on 27th August 2025. You will be required to upload a CV and a Supporting Statement as part of your application. Please do not attach any manuscripts, papers, transcripts, mark sheets or certificates as these will not be considered as part of your application.
Interviews are scheduled to take place at the Department of Materials on Friday 12th September 2025 and you must be available on this date, either by Teams, Zoom or in person. Please note in normal circumstances only interview travel expenses within the UK will be reimbursed.
For more information, please contact the Materials HR Team at recruitment@materials.ox.ac.uk.