Corporate report

Chemical Biological Radiological

Updated 29 November 2023

The Chemical Biological Radiological (CBR) division within the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (Dstl) provides world-leading capabilities across the physical, human and life sciences, which are used by the UK government to keep the UK and its citizens safe. Science is at the forefront of ensuring UK defence and security has the advantage over our adversaries. We provide science and technology solutions, including direct support to operations, that deliver advantage.

Through our specialist teams and varied facilities, we develop innovative ways to understand, train, sustain and prepare the people who deliver defence and security, both in the UK and overseas.

In doing so, we aim to understand and enhance the performance and protection of the people who deliver defence and security, and provide them with the science and technology advantage to out-match and overcome our adversaries.

Some of the work that we do is secret but much of it is not. Our scientists are at work daily, performing laboratory studies, out on our range performing research in the field, and supporting emergency responders as they work to keep the UK population safe.

Some of our recent high profile successes include:

• performing the scientific studies that confirmed use of chemical weapons in Syria
• supporting the emergency response to the Salisbury and Amesbury poisonings
• evaluating novel methodologies that can be used to safely drop lifesaving blood where it is needed most
• providing a variety of scientific support roles that were used during the UK response to the COVID-19 pandemic

Within CBR we have specialist groups that each take the lead on a specific aspect of our science and technology work.

Chemistry and Operational Readiness

The Chemistry and Operational Readiness Group (CORG) works closely with the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and UK blue light services to train and prepare for chemical and biological incidents, including maintaining Dstl’s operational response capabilities that are used both within the UK and overseas.

We also carry out world-leading underpinning research in hazard management and synthetic chemistry, with a strong focus on applied sciences in organic chemistry.

Chemical and Biological Analysis and Attribution

The Chemical and Biological Analysis and Attribution (CBAA) group provides the technical expertise to allow the UK criminal justice system and decision makers within government to attribute how, when, where and by whom a chemical or biological agent or weapon was made or used. This includes working with law enforcement partners to gather traditional forensic evidence from chemically or biologically contaminated items.

We operate in accordance with international ISO standards and the Forensic Science Regulators Codes of Practice and Conduct, and are accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) for multiple high confidence techniques.

Chemical and Biological Sense and Protect

The Chemical and Biological Sense and Protect group provides advice on the design, performance, integration and use of equipment to detect highly hazardous chemical and biological materials, and to physically protect against them.

This includes the development of concepts for the creation and deployment of protection and detection capability, and the development of facilities which enable us to test and evaluate them. We provide advice which supports MOD acquisition programmes, maintains in-service capability, and directly supports operations

Our research programme helps us provide advice and develop generation-after-next technologies in partnership with academia, industry and international collaborators.

Chemical and Biological Advice

The Chemical and Biological (CB) Advice group is the first port of call for independent chemical and biological advice for defence and security. We make sure the MOD and UK government have timely access to impartial advice relating to chemical and biological threats, including:

• modelling and simulation
• hazard assessment
• operational analysis
• non-proliferation, biosecurity and arms control

We also undertake fundamental research to prepare for future questions from our customers.

Our experts cover a wide range of technical subjects including mathematical modelling, statistics, trials management, operational analysis and software development.

Microbiology

Microbiology Group supports the UK’s defence against biological warfare agents through the development of diagnostics and medical countermeasures as well as the assessment of the threat posed by these biological agents and understanding their effects on the host system. In addition, we seek to understand and defend against threats, as well as exploit opportunities, associated with new and emerging technologies such as engineering biology and genetic modification.

This work involves the use of Dstl’s state-of-the-art high containment facilities, able to handle and manipulate the most dangerous pathogens.

We collaborate widely with academia, industry and international partners and play an important part in supporting operations.

Toxicology, Trauma and Medicine

Toxicology, Trauma and Medicine (TTM) Group has the remit to understand, mitigate and provide advice on the effects of hazards on the human body, with a particular emphasis on injuries caused by chemicals (including toxins) and battlefield trauma.

We carry out this work through 3 core capabilities:

• chemical warfare medical countermeasures and hazard assessment research, which aims to understand the damaging effects of chemicals and toxins, and investigate pharmaceutical or other interventions to treat them
• chemical and biological medical countermeasures advanced development, which aims to take candidate medical countermeasures products out of the research programme (or elsewhere), progress them through the full pharmaceutical development cycle and into service with the armed forces
• medical sciences, which seeks to understand the body’s response to battlefield trauma, then develop and/or assess life-saving treatment strategies to improve the outcomes of injured personnel

Specialist Facilities

The Specialist Facilities Group (SFG) facilitate the work of other groups, especially the Microbiology Group and Trauma, Toxicology and Medicine (TTM) Group.

Technical staff assist scientists in experimental work, hold key responsibilities for animal husbandry and welfare, and run the incinerator waste disposal facilities at Porton Down. The technical staff are also responsible for running key facilities such as the biological high containment areas.

A number of group members have legally defined roles and responsibilities, regulated by external agencies including the Home Office, Environment Agency, Health and Safety Executive (HSE), Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra) and Animal and Plant Health Agency (APHA).

The incinerator team are responsible for the safe and effective incineration of a variety of waste materials generated from within Dstl sites and, increasingly, from other governmental bodies and commercial entities.

Range, Trials and Operations

The Range, Trials and Operations group is a critical enabler for the rest of Dstl providing key facilities to deliver a variety of trials, operations and training activities.

The Porton Range, an area of special scientific interest, comprises 7,000 acres of land and buildings which are licensed to conduct a variety of full scale trials and evaluation activities. It is the only UK range that is able to conduct some of the most important chemical and biological trials.

We have different trials sites: some fixed concrete pad sites which are the primary locations for explosives trials, and others which can be configured to accommodate different customer requirements.

Training for chemical, biological, radiological activities is a growing activity and the Range offers a number of realistic training scenarios.

Radiation Sciences

The Radiation Sciences Group provides MOD with the science and technology to enable it to manage, monitor and control radiological hazards that could harm people or the environment.

Our capabilities include:

• the Dstl Radiation Protection Adviser Body for the provision of advice on ionising radiation protection
• specialist advice on protection from non-ionising radiations including radiofrequency and laser radiation
• policy advisers
• personal radiation dosimetry services
• instrumentation testing, calibration and repair services
• radiation safety and operational training
• environmental radiological survey
• research on radiation science

We also support the planned response to nuclear submarine emergencies at berths within the UK, overseas and at sea, as well as the transport of nuclear weapons and materials.

Human Sciences

Humans are central to defence and security solutions. As machines become more complex, conflict becomes more technical and influence becomes more important the role of human capability within the defence and security system must evolve.

Human Sciences Group delivers, and facilitates the delivery of, human science research and consultancy to MOD and other government departments.

We make sure that defence and security’s future human capability continues to outpace and outthink our adversaries.

We provide thought leadership to drive research, deliver advice and evaluate science and technology that safely and ethically augments, enhances and optimises human physical and cognitive capabilities in defence and security contexts.

Telexistence

Project Delivery

In all of our work, we are committed to the highest standards in timeliness, quality and value to the tax-payer. Our Project Delivery group provides a professionally-recognised and empowered project management capability which adapts to meet evolving business and customer needs. In doing so we maintain good financial management and ensure that our delivery is safe and compliant, but done at pace.

Careers at Dstl

If you want a varied, interesting workload and to help us solve complex problems with real-world impact, search all our available roles and sign up for new job alerts.

Find out more about Dstl and the benefits of working for us.

Eleanor May