Recruitment FAQs
Frequently Asked Questions about the recruitment process
A great place to be, where our people succeed and deliver outstanding work
Working for the National Oceanography Centre is a truly unique experience, whether in our offices in Southampton or Liverpool or on-board one of the Royal Research Ships we operate.
Our multi-disciplined programme of marine science research is sustained by cutting-edge technology development, and supported by professional support services.
Wherever you fit in, you can be proud that you are directly contributing towards advancing the understanding of the role of the ocean in our changing climate.
The Benefits of working for us
Benefits with a financial value
- All new employees are automatically enrolled onto a defined contribution scheme provided by Legal and General. For each scheme member the NOC pays 10% of pensionable earnings and the employee pays a minimum of 5%.
- Generous annual leave entitlements mean that full-time employees benefit from 30 days per annum. In addition staff also get the standard public holidays and 3.5 ‘closure days’. Entitlements are pro-rated for part-time staff.
- Salary sacrifice cycle to work scheme to enable the discounted purchase of bicycles, and in Southampton a monthly ‘bike doctor’ surgery offers a free MOT service and discounted repairs.
- There is free and secure on-site parking at Southampton, and affordable parking on offer in Liverpool. Our Southampton site has a number of EV charging points.
- You can get an interest free season-ticket loan to help with travel to work by public transport.
- Staff at both sites have access to a great range of benefits and discounts through our portal, which offers discounts available from retailers, cinemas and holiday companies. Discounts for and access to gym facilities is available through our partners.
Non-financial benefits
- The NOC is a flexible and family friendly employer, with flexible working options available and the opportunity to seek part-time working, regular home-working and compressed hours; special leave, sabbaticals and career breaks may also be supported.
- Maternity and paternity support provisions, parental and carers leave, and adoption leave are all in line with best practice.
- Welfare Support is provided through our employee assistance programme (EAP) for staff and their spouses together with a professional Occupational Health service provision.
- The NOC is committed to supporting the development of its people, and has a performance and development review process to help ensure this happens systematically – there is an opportunity to hold regular career discussions.
- The NOC uses the Investors in People Standard to continually improve the way we lead, manage and develop people in order to achieve high-performance.
General information
- Both of our sites are centrally located with excellent public transport links. Our stunning waterside location in Southampton also has an on-site cafe
- The National Oceanographic Library is based at the Southampton site and provides a library and information to the whole marine community. The NOC Liverpool Reference Library also has a collection of books and journals.
Apprenticeships
Apprenticeships at NOC offer a fantastic opportunity for new and existing staff to learn and develop across a broad range of specialist areas across both sites in Southampton and Liverpool. Apprentices work with talented and experienced people from many different disciplines and backgrounds, in order to develop their professional skills, knowledge and behaviours whilst helping to develop NOC's talent pipeline.
From our apprentices, we are looking for individuals who are:
- Passionate about what we do.
- Self-motivated, ambitious and keen to build their knowledge and expertise in a diverse and interesting environment.
- Enthusiastic and enjoy a challenge.
- Creative thinkers who offer a flexible, proactive and positive approach to work.
Living and working in Southampton
Are you considering a career at the National Oceanography Centre in Southampton? Life on the south coast has lots to offer.
Southampton is a historic maritime city, full of culture and creativity. Known as the Cruise Capital of Europe, Southampton is a growing city, leading the way in innovation and cutting edge research. The city centre is a hub for development with a high focus on creation of new businesses and developing industry within the city.
Southampton boasts an impressive cultural offering of museums, music venues, art galleries, parks, shopping facilities and restaurants. Full of open, green spaces, such as Southampton common, with over 300 acres of beautiful greenery and wildlife, Southampton has won awards for its parks and green spaces and is recognised as the greenest city in southern England.
You can discover the old Southampton by walking the city walls, visiting the SeaCity Museum or Tudor House and gardens. Self-guided tours and trails around the city including the Titanic Walk and the QE2 Mile and allow you to explore the city at your own pace.
If you’re a sports fan, cheer on Southampton FC at St Mary’s stadium or enjoy a spot of cricket at the Ageas Bowl. There are plenty of leisure facilities across the city including gyms, spas and swimming pools. Or for the more adventurous, you can take to the water in the Solent to try out a range of water sports including sailing.
Notably, Southampton isn’t too far away from lots of amazing places to visit. Within an hour and fifteen minutes you can be in London. Alternatively, make your way along the south coast where you’ll enjoy the stunning scenery of the coastline with beautiful beaches and picturesque coves.
Hampshire is a beautiful and affluent county with many lovely towns and cities to visit. Wander through the medieval market towns or take in explore the ancient cathedral cities of Winchester and Salisbury. Embrace the New Forest National Park right on your doorstep and visit the quaint towns of Beaulieu or Lymington before going for a hike surrounded by the New Forest ponies.
With its rapid growth and investment in development, Southampton is one of the most upcoming cities in Europe and promises to be a popular destination for a career.
Images courtesy of Southampton City Council
Living and working in Liverpool
Liverpool is a European Capital of Culture, heritage and people. With a beautiful juxtaposition of old and new architecture, green parks and old cobbled pathways, Liverpool is a lovely city to live in. There’s so much to see and do.
Liverpool hosts the largest collection of museums and galleries, and listed buildings outside of London, so there are plenty of treasures both ancient and modern for you to see. Explore the city via the water on one of the famous Mersey Ferry cruises or visit the Royal Albert Dock, which boasts museums, galleries, bars and restaurants. You can also discover Liverpool’s musical heritage with ‘The Beatles Story’.
As you walk around the city you’ll see old mixed with new as Georgian style buildings mix with high-tech architecture. If sport takes your fancy then you can make a trip to Anfield, the home of Liverpool FC, or indeed Everton FC at Goodison Park.
There are plenty of unique neighbourhoods around the city each bringing their own character and charm. Referred to as ‘Quarters’, despite the fact there are a total of seven, these areas each contribute towards shaping the cosmopolitan City of Liverpool that we see today. Be sure to visit the history and charm of the Georgian Quarter, listen to music or grab a bite to eat in the Cavern Quarter, enjoy the colour and culture brought to you in Chinatown or mix with the creatives in the unique bars and hip music venues in the Baltic Triangle.
Looking further afield, the areas surrounding Liverpool are home to beaches, green parks and expansive coastline with beautiful scenery, perfect for a weekend escape.
Liverpool truly is an exciting and interesting place to live and work.