Transport Security Research Lead (Behavioural Science) - Part time

Can you build and maintain effective working relationships?
Have you got an understanding of behavioural science and human factors for security?
If so, we'd love to hear from you!
This is an exciting opportunity for someone who would like to make an impact by using behavioural science theories, evidence and research to influence policy and legislation.
The Transport Security Directorate (TSD) works across the Department for Transport, HMG, and with partners to mitigate the threats the transport sector faces domestically and internationally., We lead on high profile work to implement and improve the transport sector's cyber security, maritime and aviation security regimes as well as working with international partners to raise global standards and build capability. As the national security threats transport faces evolve, we are working across DfT to ensure that these issues are reflected in the Department's work to ensure that we balance prosperity with security objectives.
We are looking for someone with a behavioural science, psychology or human factors background to join the National Security Science and Research (NSSR) Division of TSD. We provide evidence led scientific and technical advice across a wide range of disciplines, from physics and chemistry to engineering, human factors and ergonomics and support responses to security incidents on the transport network.
Your role will be to lead transport security research and development projects and be a focal point between NSSR and our transport security policy teams. You will establish and run a range of technical projects with a behavioural focus to them, that provide advice on understanding threats to transport and suggest and evaluate options for mitigating the threats or reducing their impact.
The role will involve working closely with senior policy leads, departmental behavioural science community, scientific and technical experts across the UK Government National Security community, the transport industry and overseas counterparts. You will work particularly closely with the Home Office Homeland Security Group (HSG) and National Protective Security Authority (NPSA) in aligning counter-terrorism research, and the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL) and other industry suppliers in commissioning and delivering research projects.
Your responsibilities will include, but aren't limited to:
+ Be the subject matter expert for Behavioural Science research, providing support and advice to both the NSSR division, departmental behavioural science community and policy Examples of skills include application of human factors in improving security systems, behavioural science insights into crowd behaviours and identifying and deterring malicious behaviours and applied psychology research.
+ Commission and lead delivery and exploitation of transport security research and development projects, ensuring focus on the challenge area and quality and robustness of approach and deliverables.
+ Lead the development of spending bid proposals related to transport security.
+ Technically review and interpret data to make evidence -based recommendations to security policy leads.
+ Build strong relationships with key sector Examples include Transport for London, British Transport Police, Maritime and Coastguard Agency, the Civil Aviation Authority and transport operators.
+ Develop effective partnerships with your expert counterparts across Whitehall Departments and intelligence agencies.
+ Influence and leverage related research and development taking place internationally, including representing the UK at meetings with partner.
For further information on the role, please read the attached role profile. Please note that the role profile is for information purposes only - whilst all elements are relevant to the role, they may not all be assessed during the recruitment process. This job advert will detail exactly what will be assessed during the recruitment process., This role can be offered on a Part Time or Job Share employee. With this role we can offer a maximum of 18.5 working hours per week.
This role is suitable for hybrid working, which is a non-contractual arrangement where a combination of workplace and home-based working can be accommodated subject to business requirements.
The expectation at present is a minimum of 60% of your working time a month will be spent at either your principal workplace (one of the locations cited in the advert) or, when required for business reasons, visiting stakeholders and colleagues, or carrying out detached duty in another DfT or agency workplace. The chosen principal workplace will be the designated place of work and any remote or home working arrangement does not constitute a change to the designated place of work or contractual terms and conditions. There may be occasions where you are required to attend above the minimum expectation.
For more information on how this works for this role, please contact the Vacancy Holder (see below for contact details)., We will also hold a 12-month reserve list for this role, which may lead to potential opportunities beyond the role you applied for. You can read more about our reserve lists here.
AI Tools and Platforms
During the application process candidates are allowed to utilise AI (artificial intelligence) tools and platforms to support them in writing their Behaviours, CVs and Personal Statements. However, you must ensure that any evidence submitted as part of your application or used during interview is truthful and factually accurate. Applications may be rejected if plagiarism is detected. Examples of plagiarism can include presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or concepts generated by artificial intelligence, as your own. You can read more here.
Reasonable Adjustments
As a Disability Confident Leader employer, we are committed to ensuring that the recruitment process is fair, accessible and allows all candidates to perform at their best. If a person with a visible or non-visible disability is substantially disadvantaged, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes., A candidate is not eligible to apply for a role within the Civil Service if the application is made within a 5-year period following a dismissal for carrying out internal fraud against government.
Feedback
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security
Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.
Successful candidates must meet the security requirements before they can be appointed. The level of security needed is security check (opens in a new window).
See our vetting charter (opens in a new window).
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

1. Formal qualification in a Scientific/Technical subject relevant to behavioural science, psychology or human factors, to at least degree level; OR equivalent experience
You will be required to provide evidence that you hold any essential qualifications/licenses at some point during the recruitment process. If you cannot provide evidence, your application will be withdrawn.
Required experience:
To be successful in this role you will need to have the following experience:
+ Working in a relevant scientific or technical area, including leading or overseeing technical delivery.
+ Understanding of behavioural science and human factors for security.
+ Ability to manage team and stakeholder relationships.
+ Experience of making effective decisions to deliver against requirements.
+ Experience of communicating technical research principles to a non-technical audience., Formal qualification in a Scientific/Technical subject relevant to behavioural science, psychology or human factors, to at least degree level; OR equivalent experience, + Making Effective Decisions
+ Seeing the Big Picture
+ Communicating and Influencing

Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
+ Technical knowledge & skills
+ Leading, communicating and championing social research, + Experience - you will be asked to provide a CV (unlimited wordcount) and personal statement (750-word count). Please provide evidence of your Experience of the following:
1. Understanding of behavioural science and human factors for security.
2. Experience of making effective decisions to deliver against requirements.
3. Ability to manage team relationships and stakeholder relationships.
The sift will take place week commencing 28th July 2025.
At interview stage, you will be assessed against the following Success Profile elements:
+ Behaviours - (Making Effective Decisions, Seeing the big picture, Communicating and Influencing)
+ Experience - (Criteria Mentioned Above)
+ Technical - (Candidates will be expected to demonstrate their technical experience in line with the Government Social Research Technical Framework)
You will also be required to create and deliver a short presentation to assess the Technical Competencies advertised. Guidance will be provided if you are invited to interview.

Alongside your salary of £42,848, Department for Transport contributes £12,413 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
Being part of our brilliant Civil Service means you will have access to a wide range of fantastic benefits:
+ Employer pension contribution of 28.97% of your salary. Read more about Civil Service Pensions here
+ 25 days annual leave, increasing by 1 day each year of service (up to a maximum of 30 days annual leave).
+ 8 Bank Holidays plus an additional Privilege Day to mark the King's birthday.
+ Access to the staff discount portal.
+ Excellent career development opportunities and the potential to undertake professional qualifications relevant to your role paid for by the department, such as CIPD, Prince2, apprenticeships, etc.
+ Joining a diverse and inclusive workforce with a range of staff communities to support all our colleagues.
+ 24-hour Employee Assistance Programme providing free confidential help and advice for staff.
+ Flexible working options where we encourage a great work-life balance.
Find out more about the benefits of working at DfT and its agencies (opens in a new window).
(Please note these benefits are based on full time positions and will be Pro-Rata to the full time equivalent).