First Step on Your Journey With NOC
We are delighted that you have decided to join us at the forefront of world-leading oceanographic research and development. This is the first step on our journey together.
We have compiled everything we think you will need to get started, so you will feel part of the team from your very first day.
Explore Our Sites
We are one centre across two sites in Southampton and Liverpool. Our Southampton site is a waterfront campus within Dock Gate 4 of the Port of Southampton. Our Liverpool site is based on the University of Liverpool campus.
Southampton
- Free on-site and secure parking
- Over 40 EV charging points
- Bicycle shelters
- Bus stop located on site
- The University of Southampton's National Oceanographic Library
- On-site Waterfront Café
- Vending machines
- Kitchenettes located across the site with facilities to make hot drinks and prepare food
- Lift access to all floors
- Showers
- Break-out pods
- Outside eating areas
- Meeting rooms/conference rooms
Liverpool
- Free tea and coffee available in the kitchen area
- Kitchen area, facilities to make hot drinks and prepare or heat up food
- Cath Allen Room, chill-out area
- The NOC Liverpool Reference Library
- Meeting rooms
- Lift access to all floors
- Showers
- University of Liverpool gym membership available (on application)
- Bicycle racks and secure storage
Liverpool-based staff can apply to be an Associate of the University of Liverpool, which includes access to libraries, a sports centre and computing services.
What to Expect When You First Join Us
It is important to us that you feel welcome and have the support you need from the first day.
Your line manager will meet you at reception to welcome you to the National Oceanography Centre, and will arrange your ID and access control card. Your line manager will show you the location of your office and desk, toilets, kitchen and cafeteria. A tour of the building and facilities will be provided.
Our people are our most important asset. It is key that you get to meet the people you will be working with and who are there to support you. You will be introduced to team members, colleagues in other teams you will be working with, the HR team and the Associate Director for your division (an informal meeting will be arranged). Once you get to know the people, we think you will start to understand what a special place NOC is to work.
You will undergo a set of core induction sessions to ensure you have everything you need to start your role and are safe to work on-site or on board one of the ships:
- Health and Safety induction, including DSE (display screen equipment) assessment
- IT induction and cyber security awareness
- People and Skills induction, find out who to contact for HR queries and support
- Governance, Risk and Compliance induction
- Finance induction, procurement training will be arranged if applicable
- Library induction, can be arranged if required
- Inventory Management System, if applicable
- Introduction to UNIT4, NOC's ERP (enterprise resource planning) system, guidance available on the intranet
- Apply for a parking permit if applicable
- Introduction to key information and resources and the NOC intranet
You will have a one-to-one meeting with your manager to find out more about your role, how your job fits into your team and how your team fits into the organisation. Set objectives for your first six months and discuss any development needs with your line manager. Your line manager will explain the probation process to you as part of objective setting. Your line manager will also arrange regular catch-ups to check how you are settling in.
If you will be managing people, further information and development will be provided.
You will be invited to attend Open Staff Meetings to find out about key projects and updates across NOC.
The Benefits our Employees Enjoy
NOC offers a variety of benefits including:
- 30 days contractual annual leave, plus 3.5 extra closure days and bank holidays
- 10% employer contribution pension scheme (with a 15% NI saving on employee contributions made above 5%, if in the salary sacrifice scheme)
- Death in Service (3 times annual salary) provided by Aviva from day one of employment, plus access to a range of other Aviva wellbeing services
- Financial support for relocation
- Salary sacrifice scheme for electric / hybrid vehicles (qualifying period applies)
- Access to our Employee Assistance Programme, offering free and confidential support on mental, physical, emotional, health and financial issues
- Access to a flexible benefits portal offering online discounts, cashback and eGift cards
- Cycle2Work scheme allowing employees to acquire bikes and accessories
Details of how to access these benefits will be provided in your first week.
Southampton FAQs
Please see Maps, directions and transport links.
We recommend walking or using public transport, if possible, to minimise the environmental impact of your commute. If you do intend to drive, please let your HR/Recruitment contact know and we will reserve a visitor space for you. On your first day you can then arrange for a parking permit for the main car park.
Please arrive at 10am, unless otherwise instructed.
Please ask for your line manager at reception when you arrive, unless otherwise instructed.
No, you do not need to bring anything specific with you on your first day.
Yes, there is a canteen offering hot meals, snacks, sandwiches and hot and cold drinks. It is usually open from 8am to 4.30pm. Contactless payments only. There are also vending machines near reception. If you would like to bring your own food, most teams have access to a fridge.
Each department will dress differently. If this has not been discussed with you before you start, we would recommend smart-casual for your first day. You can then discuss with your manager what is expected.
Please speak to your HR recruitment contact or line manager as soon as possible. We understand things can happen outside of our control and will do everything we can to help. The Southampton NOC reception phone number is +44 (0)300 131 2321 or email careers@noc.ac.uk.
Our Southampton site is in a great location, just a 10-minute walk to the bars and restaurants of Ocean Village and Oxford Street. A few minutes further and you will find the high street with all the shops you would expect as well as many more places to eat and drink.
You can find more information on our website and the Visit Southampton website.
Liverpool FAQs
Please see Maps, directions and transport links.
We recommend walking or using public transport, if possible, to minimise the environmental impact of your commute. If you do intend to drive, chargeable parking (set at maximum £2.31 per day, correct at time of writing) is available around site on the University of Liverpool campus. Please let your HR/Recruitment contact know and we will work with Estates team colleagues to reserve a free visitor space for you for your first day. Once on site you can then arrange with the Estates team to have an access card for the main car park; costs for usage are deducted from your pay.
Please arrive at 10am, unless otherwise instructed.
Please ask for your line manager at reception when you arrive, unless otherwise instructed.
No, there is nothing specific you need to bring with you on your first day.
Our Liverpool office does not have a canteen or vending machines; however, it does have a kitchen for all staff to use which has fridges, microwaves and tea and coffee making facilities. There are a good selection of food shops and cafés within a short walk of the building, for example on the University campus around Brownlow Hill, or around London Road. Please do ask anybody at site for directions or recommendations.
Each department will dress differently. If this has not been discussed with you before you start, we would recommend smart-casual for your first day. You can then discuss with your manager what is expected.
Please speak to your HR/recruitment contact or line manager as soon as possible. We understand things can happen outside of our control and will do everything we can to help. The Liverpool NOC reception phone number is +44 (0)151 795 4800 or email careers@noc.ac.uk.
Our Liverpool site is in a great location, just a 10-minute walk from Lime Street Station and, a little further, all the amenities of the city centre beyond. There are museums and galleries to visit, a beautiful library, and you can easily access all the shops you would expect as well as many places to eat and drink. The renowned Liverpool Waterfront and dock area is also within easy reach. The wider city region has a number of excellent parks and beaches and is well connected by road, rail, air and river to all kinds of other places you might wish to visit.
You can find more information on our website and the Visit Liverpool website.
Learn More About Who We Are
NOC is one of very few institutions globally that can bring together leading scientists, technologists, engineers and digital experts, allowing us and our partners to provide critical scientific knowledge efficiently and effectively. We work with government and business and are the UK lead centre for UKRI-NERC marine research, providing value by supporting evidence-based decision making.