Graduates, students and apprentices at Dstl

At the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl), graduates, students and apprentices contributemake real contributions to our projects and the future of our organisationorganisation. andWe we take great pride in recruiting talented and enthusiastic young people each year.

We have exciting projects and assignments that we can’t wait to get you involved in. We’re confident that you’llwhen you join Dstl andyou’ll help us see things through a different lens.lens Weand wantbring youinnovate solutions to comeour in,challenges.

Dstl thinkis differently,recruiting

Our andpurpose

Dstl’s bringpurpose solutionsis simple, but powerful: to provide the science inside UK defence and security, and help protect our challenges.nation.

Dstlthe isway. recruitingThat’s where you come in.

Our values

At Dstl (the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory) we value innovation, collaboration and impact. AndThose those 3 words not only describe how we work, but also our people and culture. TheyThese values are embedded into our organisation and are reflected in the fantastic work we do.

We look for people who can demonstrate these values and apply them to our unique positionschallenges at Dstl. So, if you want to start your career - or get a glimpse of work - at an organisation that has a truly special purposepurpose, and lives our values, then we’d love to hear from you.

OurGraduate purposeprogrammes

Dstl’s purpose is simple, but powerful: to provide the science inside UK defence and security, and help protect our nation.

We can tell you the hows and whys when we speak to you, but ultimately, that’s our goal and we are proud of who we are and what we do.

We provide world-class expertise and cutting edge science and technology to the UK, and for us to continue doing this, we need to bring in more talented individuals along the way. That’s where you come in.

Early careers: the options

Graduate programmes

Our divisions run graduate programmes that last for 2 years.years, Duringand thisyou’ll time, you will learn all about the objectives, direction and challenges,challenges whilstof workingour onscience fascinating and uniquetechnology projectswork, alongwhile thegetting way.hands-on involvement in unique projects.

YouWhen willyou receivejoin ongoingDstl supportyou’ll start to shape your career from day 1,one, with ongoing support and opportunities to develop your learning through:

• work-relatedcollaboration conferenceswith experienced professionals (internally as well as in industry and academia)
• internal and external events including work-related conferences
• role-specific courses
• our in-house graduate community

WeYou’ll willbe alsoencouraged encourage you to continue your professional development through chartered programmes and accreditations.

NotYou’ll onlygain will you get invaluable insights through working at Dstl and experience working on some of our most exciting projects, butand ouryou’ll graduateearn salariesa rangesalary ranging from £22,000£25,000 to £27,000.£29,500. YouDuring willthe 2-year programme you’ll have 4 reviews throughout the duration of your programme where you can achieve pay increases. We’llYou’ll also immersebe youimmersed in our incredible culture and you’llhave access to all of our organisationalemployee benefits.

Student placements

Industrial1-year industrial placements

TheUndergraduate transitionstudents fromcan universityjoin us on a 1-year placement scheme to thegain workplacepractical canexperience bewithin quiteyour daunting,degree butdiscipline. weYou’ll wanthave tothe helpopportunity you.to Tobring easenew thatideas change,to weour offerprojects 1-yearand placementsstart to undergraduateease studentsthe part-waytransition throughfrom theiruniversity degrees.to the workplace.

By joining us on an industrial placement, youyou’ll will instantly contribute to projects and work across a broad range of areas. You will gain experience working with teams of engineers and scientists, in support of the MOD, UK armed forces and other government departments.

We’llDepending on your placement area, we’ll involve you in apractical mixlab-based oftasks, practicalsupporting lab-basedtrials tasksor andworking research.in IT helps to advance our research.

Your personal development and insight to Dstl are paramountvery important to us and we will work with you ensureto thatmaximise we’reboth.

You’ll maximisingbe bothrewarded with new skills, job satisfaction and a salary of those£18,278 areas.(pro-rata to account for the duration of your placement).

Summer placements

WeAs offerwell 10as to1-year 12industrial weekplacements, placementsDstl toalso providegives undergraduate students with the opportunitychance to work onwith someus specific,during technical projects over the summer break.

Thisbreak ison a10 great way for you to maximise12 yourweek developmentplacements. throughoutThese yourplacements universitywill journeygive andyou athe great opportunity to applymaximise your studies by transferring theoretical learningslearning to ourgenuine projects.projects

Our industrial and summer placement students receiveare arewarded salarywith ofnew £17,500skills, whichjob willsatisfaction beand pro-rataa salary of £18,278 (pro-rata to account for the duration of your placement.placement).

ApprenticeshipsSponsorship opportunities

At Dstl, we have an eye for talent, so if you impress us, during either your summer or industrial placement, then we’ll dip our hands in our pockets and offer you a sponsorship opportunity. This means we will financially contribute to the remainder of your studies and you will be fast tracked to the interview stage of a graduate opportunity, when you finish your degree.

Apprenticeships

Stacie’s Story: Lab Technician Apprenticeships at Dstl

As an apprentice with Dstl recruitsyou newwill apprenticesearn eachwhile year.you Mostlearn apprenticesand willdevelop. startUsually withstarting us in September,September to(at coincidethe withbeginning of the academic year.year), Theduring Dstlyour apprenticeshipplacement schemesyou’ll mixbenefit formalfrom classroom-baseda studyblend (availableof virtuallyformal duringclassroom-based Covid)study alongsideand practicalhand-on hands-on training in our workshop,workshops, laboratorylaboratories and office facilities.offices..

First year apprentice salaries range from £14,608£14,500 to £22,232,£22,00 depending on the apprenticeship level,level. andOur riseapprentices eachreceive yearannual ofpay employment.increases Apprenticesand alsoenjoy haveour accessfull to a range of employee benefits.

At the end of the programmes,apprenticeship, many of the apprentices accept permanent roles withinat ourDstl, departmentsand whereare theythen haveable the opportunity to progress further with additional training and development.

Read some of their experiences and how some of our apprentices have recently gained first class engineering degrees.

Ordnance Munitions Explosives Apprenticeships at Dstl

Sponsorship opportunities

At Dstl, we have an eye for talent, so if you impress us, during either your summer or industrial placement, then we’ll dip our hands in our pockets and offer you a sponsorship opportunity. This means we will financially contribute to the remainder of your studies and you will be fast tracked to the interview stage of a graduate opportunity, when you finish your degree.

Why choose Dstl

We are a specialspecialist organisation whothat harnessharnesses advanced science and technology to protect our nation. AndWith with a workforce of nearly 4,0005,000 permanent employees, we work shoulder-to-shoulder to ensure the safety of the UK.

The work we do is fascinating and unique. We provide the UK government with specialist science and technology research, advice and analysis. Unsurprisingly, the work we do is sensitive and often operationally critical, with the potential to save many lives.

We have a fantastic organisational culture, where we collaborate and support each other. Our people feel comfortable bringing their whole and unique selves to work and we are passionate about our people.

Leaving university,We collegealso orhave sixth form and transitioning to the workplace can be a dauntingnumber processof –employee wesupport appreciatenetwork that.groups Butyou you’recan notbecome alone.involved Byin, joiningcelebrating Dstldiversity inwithin one of our Earlyworkforce, Careers programmes, you’ll be supported every step of the way; from dayLGBTQ+ one,to and beyond.neurodiversities.

Life at Dstl

We look forward to welcoming you to Dstl on one of our Early Career programmes. Whether you’re thinking of joining us temporarily on one of our placement schemes, or permanently on a graduate programme, we’re committed to creating an environment that enables your personal and professional growth.

Early careers community

Every year we bring in bright, excited and enthusiastic cohorts of students and graduates. So you’re not alone. You’ll be immersed into a community of like-minded individuals, where you can share experiences, knowledge and ideas, to help us shape our future.

Your development is our objective

We recruit people who embody our values and demonstrate the potential to drive our organisation forward. We invest you, because we know you will add value straight away and as you progress into a future star at Dstl. You have the education, enthusiasm and potential and we have the culture, leaders and opportunities – the perfect combination.

With specific developmental plans, mentoring programmes and buddy-systems, our learning and development team work passionately to help you unlock your full potential.

But that’s not all. The leaders you work with will involve you in truly fascinating and unique projects. You’ll be able to apply your theoretical and educational understanding, to real-life jobs, with real-life impacts.

Ultimately, we value and understand the importance of creating an environment that sets you up for a fantastic and rewarding career.

Find out more about the benefits of working for us, and how we make Dstl a place where everyone can thrive, succeed and achieve their ambitions.

Our recruits in their own words

My career in Dstl

Hear from some more of our employees about their career paths and experiences working at Dstl:

• Emily, working in the world of fast jets
• From art to engineering
• Scientist Louise, flying high in her scientific career
• Dstl’s outstanding apprentice
• Omar, doing “cool science” in electro-optic countermeasures
• Junyard, principal space scientist

Read more stories from the people inside Dstl.