Working for DHSC
We offer a varied, exciting, challenging and rewarding working environment.
Previous experience in a government department is not essential: our staff have backgrounds in the voluntary, public and private sectors.
Jobs at the Department of Health and Social Care
We are currently recruiting to a variety of roles. Visit the Civil Service Jobs website for more details and to apply.
All Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) jobs are advertised on the Civil Service Jobs website. We also advertise in national and local media.
Vacancies on DHSC’s expert committees and other non-standard advisory roles are listed below. If there are no vacancies listed below, then we are not currently recruiting to any roles on our expert committees.
Vacancies on the boards of our arm’s length bodies are listed on the Public Appointments website.
DHSC values and promotes diversity and is committed to equality of opportunity for all.
Pay
We provide:
- a competitive salary that is reviewed annually
- the opportunity to earn performance awards
- an occupational pension when you join DHSC
Employee benefits and rewards
Employee benefits and rewards include:
- an employee discount scheme
- childcare vouchers or tax-free childcare scheme for eligible employees
- an employee assistance programme providing confidential advice, information and counselling
- the option to join a trade union
- an in-year award scheme for one-off exceptional personal or team achievements
- sick leave on full pay, followed by half pay, up to the maximum allowed by the relevant scheme
Flexibility
Flexibilities include:
- up to 30 days annual leave and 9 days public and privilege leave in a year (pro rata for part-time staff)
- time off to deal with emergencies, unexpected situations and certain other unplanned special circumstances
- paid time off for public service duties, for example if you are an armed forces reservist
- family-friendly policies, including flexible working patterns
- flexible working hours, subject to business needs
Family-friendly policies
Eligible employees are entitled to:
- maternity, adoption or shared parental leave of up to 26 weeks full pay followed by 13 weeks statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid
- paternity leave of up to 2 weeks full pay
Development and career opportunities
We offer:
- rewarding and challenging jobs to help you develop and reach your potential
- a comprehensive range of learning and development opportunities to help you develop your skills, knowledge and experience
Boards and committees
Members of the Administration of Radioactive Substances Advisory Committee (ARSAC)
The Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) is looking to appoint 6 members to the Administration of Radioactive Substances Advisory Committee (ARSAC):
- an expert in clinical oncology
- an expert in nuclear medicine (radiologist or nuclear medicine physician)
- an expert in Brachytherapy Physics
- 3 radiopharmacy experts
ARSAC advises the relevant licensing authorities on licence applications from practitioners and employers that will enable them to administer specific radioactive substances to patients as part of diagnosis, treatment or research.
As specialists in the administration of radioactive substances or related areas, members are responsible for:
- impartially assessing applications for employer and practitioner licenses and research approvals under the relevant regulations
- contributing to the discussions of the committee
- working alongside other recognised experts assessing the current issues under consideration
Members are expected to contribute to the committee’s discussions and to the consideration of detailed statements and conclusions from the committee.
Applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have the qualities, skills, and experience to meet all of the following essential criteria. We are seeking applicants who:
- have a track record of achievement in one of:
- radiopharmacy
- clinical oncology
- nuclear medicine
- brachytherapy physics
- are able, and are prepared, to actively contribute to the work of ARSAC
- demonstrate the potential to operate effectively on a national expert scientific committee
- are not tied to a commercial company in their primary function
- are able to consider complex issues across all nuclear medicine disciplines and exercise sound judgement on issues involving service delivery and legal requirements
- have the ability to work as an individual and as part of a team, with a positive and constructive style
In addition to the above it would be desirable if applicants could demonstrate a current interest in the promotion of good practice in nuclear medicine and brachytherapy, an established track record in research and significant experience of committee membership.
In applying to be a member of ARSAC, you must not be tied to a commercial company in your primary function.
The time commitment for the role is up to 2 hours a week for the assessment of applications and 2 meetings per annum, which require additional time for reading and preparation. There is no remuneration for this role, but expenses will be paid in line with DHSC policy. The proposed length of term for new appointments is generally 3 years.
For further information, see the candidate information pack. To apply, email your CV, supporting statement and completed monitoring form to appointments.team@dhsc.gov.uk.
If you require an alternative format, contact Ralph Cabrega by email ralph.cabrega@dhsc.gov.uk or phone 0113 254 5481 quoting the reference VAC -EC1863.
The closing date for applications is midday on Wednesday, 23 July 2025. The Department of Health and Social Care values and promotes diversity and encourages applications from all sections of the community.
Committee on Carcinogenicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COC) - members
DHSC is looking to appoint 4 new expert members to the Committee on Carcinogenicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COC).
The COC is an expert advisory committee that provides independent scientific advice to government departments and agencies on matters concerning carcinogenicity risks to humans and advises on whether substances are likely to cause cancer.
As a member of the COC, you will contribute to the discussions of the committee, working alongside other recognised experts assessing the current issues under consideration while assisting in drafting advice appropriate for wider dissemination to the general public. You will also contribute to the work of COC sub-groups and show a commitment to public health issues and public service values.
You must be able to demonstrate that you have excellent communication skills, sound judgment and sensitivity, together with a strong team approach. You must have excellent analytical skills and the ability to articulate scientific issues and information clearly, comprehensively and concisely. A commitment to public health issues and public service values is essential.
All candidates must be a recognised expert with a track record of national or international achievement in one or more of the following:
- epidemiology - in particular relating to chemical or environmental exposures
- pathology - assessment of chemicals for potential carcinogenicity
- genetic toxicology, cancer biology, cancer toxicology or chemical risk assessment for potential carcinogenicity, including use of new test methods for chemical carcinogenicity
The term of appointment will be 3 years with a time commitment of around 3 meetings per year with additional time for reading and preparation when required. There is no remuneration for this post but expenses will be paid in line with DHSC policy.
For further information please see the candidate information pack below. To apply please email your CV, supporting statement and completed monitoring form to appointments.team@dhsc.gov.uk.
If you require an alternative format, please call Karen Dinsdale on 0113 254 5625 quoting the reference ‘VAC - EC1865’.
The closing date for applications is midday on Tuesday 29 July 2025.
Advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs (SaBTO) - members
The Department of Health and Social Care is looking to appoint 3 members to the Advisory Committee on the Safety of Blood, Tissues and Organs (SaBTO):
- a public health expert and/or epidemiologist
- a health economist
- a lay member
SaBTO advises the UK health departments and ministers on the safety of blood for transfusion, organs, cells, and tissues for transplantation, and on risk management options.
As a member of SaBTO you will engage fully in collective consideration of the issues at committee meetings, taking account of the full range of relevant factors. You will alert the committee to emerging issues in your field of expertise, bringing relevant areas of concern from your own speciality and professional bodies to the attention of the committee. You will also be strongly encouraged to contribute to those other areas of SaBTO business which are outside your own area of expertise. You will ensure that the committee does not exceed its powers or functions.
Candidates must be able to demonstrate:
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the ability to assimilate information quickly, particularly in relation to new and emerging infectious diseases
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the ability to help undertake suitable risk assessment based on scientific expertise and experience, where required, and within their own area of expertise
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the ability to analyse and critically evaluate complex information and exercise sound independent judgement to reach fair, evidence-based conclusions
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an awareness of the clinical and ethical issues surrounding the safety of blood for transfusion and tissues, cells and organs for transplantation, as appropriate for their area of expertise
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the ability to understand and communicate biological, technological, epidemiological and or clinical implications of their specialism
SaBTO is looking for high-calibre candidates at a senior level with an outstanding record of achievement at national or international level in the below specialisms:
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public health and/or epidemiology: a senior scientist or clinician with experience in public health and with an interest in blood-borne infections and additionally the microbiological safety of blood, organs, cells and tissues
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health economics: with an ability to develop and use cost-effectiveness evidence and apply economic principles and techniques to provide input to a range of projects in line with SaBTO’s overall priorities; working closely with health economists at DHSC to provide advice and analysis and develop innovative projects that make the best use of health economics evidence and techniques
In addition, SaBTO is looking for a lay member from a non-health professional background who has experience of receiving a blood transfusion(s). This member would have:
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an interest in the safety of blood, tissues and/or organs
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an understanding of the experiences, needs and issues important to patients, carers and the wider public, and demonstrable experience of articulating patient, carer or public experiences and perspectives in the discussions of a multidisciplinary committee
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the ability to work with a wide range of other health professionals on the committee
The term of appointment is 3 years for all members, and the time commitment is around 4 days per year. Members of SaBTO working parties will also be expected to meet more frequently. There is no remuneration for these posts, but expenses will be paid in line with DHSC policy.
For further information, please see the candidate information pack. To apply please email your CV, supporting statement and completed monitoring form to appointments.team@dhsc.gov.uk.
If you require an alternative format, please call Karen Dinsdale on 0113 254 5625 quoting the reference EC-1862.
The closing date for applications is midday on Monday 4 August 2025. The Department of Health and Social Care values and promotes diversity and encourages applications from all sections of the community.
Committee on Carcinogenicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COC) - chair
The Department of Health and Social Care is looking to appoint a new chair to the Committee on Carcinogenicity of Chemicals in Food, Consumer Products and the Environment (COC).
The COC is an expert advisory committee that provides independent scientific advice to government departments and agencies on matters concerning carcinogenicity risks to humans and advises on whether substances are likely to cause cancer.
As chair of COC you will provide leadership to the committee to ensure that it works to achieve COC’s objectives in a way that reflects the most recent clinical and scientific advice while maintaining the highest standards in public life.
All applicants must be recognised scientific or medical experts with a track record of national or international achievement relevant to risk assessment for carcinogenicity and chemicals in the environment or food, which may be through an expertise in one of the following:
- cancer or medical toxicology
- environmental epidemiology relating to cancer
- risk assessment of potential carcinogenicity
In addition to the above, all applications must demonstrate:
- the ability to chair effective meetings, in particular with a number of experts with knowledge and experience in different complimentary fields, to facilitate discussion among members relevant to the overall purpose of the discussion and to sum up the discussion accurately and succinctly
- excellent communication skills, including to a number of audiences and being able to present consensus views on committee consideration
- sound judgment and sensitivity, together with a strong team approach
- excellent analytical skills and the ability to articulate scientific issues and information clearly, comprehensively and concisely
- a commitment to public health issues and public service values
The term of appointment will be 3 years with a time commitment of around 3 meetings per year with additional time for reading and preparation when required. There is no remuneration for this post but expenses will be paid in line with DHSC policy.
For further information please see the candidate information pack below. To apply please email your CV, supporting statement and completed monitoring form to appointments.team@dhsc.gov.uk.
If you require an alternative format, please call Karen Dinsdale on 0113 254 5625 quoting the reference ‘VAC - EC1864’.
The closing date for applications is midday on Tuesday 16 September 2025. The Department of Health and Social Care values and promotes diversity and encourages applications from all sections of the community.
Monitoring form
DHSC values and promotes diversity and encourages applications from all sections of the community.
Complete the monitoring form as part of your application. You can complete it in Word or PDF.
Jobs in the NHS
If you’re interested in working for the NHS, see the NHS Jobs website.