About the job

Job summary

Want to work at the cutting edge of environmental science research?  Passionate about making a difference and playing your part in tackling the climate and nature crises? Forest Research (FR) is a leading UK scientific research organisation that provides impactful scientific data, evidence and advice to policymakers and practitioners. Internationally recognised, we want to work with people who have the skills and passion to deliver impactful science which informs practical solutions across the sector.

We’re small enough that your voice is heard, yet large enough, as part of the Forestry Commission, that we have everything on hand to get the job done, as well as a variety of career pathways.  Our staff are dedicated to their work and sharing it with others to bring positive change for our natural environment.  With locations across the UK, you will find us a flexible and inclusive employer who promotes agile working to help you manage your work life balance. If you want to be a part of a growing organisation that makes a difference, find out more at Homepage - Forest Research

A forest ecology position is available to support research focussed on implementing and improving new methods in forest biodiversity monitoring and assessment, including novel technologies such as DNA metabarcoding and bioacoustics.

The research has a strong focus on incorporating measures of woodland ecological condition into natural capital ecosystem accounting within the DEFRA-funded Natural Capital Ecosystem Assessment (NCEA) Project. National Forest Inventory (NFI) sample squares are used as the platform for new empirical biodiversity data collection. Collaborating agencies in the NCEA Programme include Natural England, Royal Botanical Gardens Kew, Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (CEH), the Bat Conservation Trust among others.

The post-holder will be a member of the Land use and Ecosystem Services Research Group within the Centre for Forest Management. The Centre leads FR's research into climate change, urban forests, silviculture, land use and ecosystem services, and the ways in which society values trees.

The forest ecology team the post-holder will be joining, is at the forefront in the forestry sector of applying molecular tools (DNA metabarcoding) as a direct measure of biodiversity. Forest diversification and tree functional trait effects on biodiversity and forest resilience are other key specialist research topic strengths. The team has strong national and international links, publishing widely in peer-reviewed, applied and trade journals.

Job description

The successful applicant will support the delivery of a number of NCEA biodiversity monitoring and assessment projects. The NCEA projects are applying DNA metabarcoding and acoustic monitoring across multiple taxonomic groups (i.e. forest mammals, soil invertebrates and fungi, canopy and sub-canopy arthropods). Alongside this work, the applicant will also assist with the development and advancement of the Biodiversity Across Forest Types Project, an important area of research that focusses on describing how different forest types and forest management shape associated communities across multiple taxonomic groups.

The successful applicant will work collaboratively with Forest Research scientists across disciplines (molecular ecologists, vertebrate and invertebrate experts, landscape ecologists) to ensure that the collection of environmental DNA, specimens and wider environmental metadata are fully aligned.

They will facilitate the timely collection of field samples, preparation of sample manifests, liaising with land-owners, field surveyors, and external service providers (e.g. molecular and soil chemistry labs, contractors) and the maintenance and preparation of field equipment and associated consumables. They will also contribute to data analysis and scientific outputs, including papers and reports.

Key Work Areas

The successful applicant will be required to:

- Undertake varied field-based biodiversity assessments (collecting data on multiple abiotic and biotic variables), site selection visits and lab-based processing of field samples, contributing to national and international standardised biomonitoring initiatives

- Liaise with colleagues and external project collaborators to develop realistic work schedules; carefully plan and monitor time allocation on multiple projects

- Prepare sampling kits (e.g. arthropod traps, soil sampling tools) for field staff, ensuring thorough sterilisation and timely dispatch

- Draft and refine sample manifests. Receive and process field samples, ensuring quality control standards are met

- Contribute to field study sample design, study site selection and planning

- Contribute to the analysis of quantitative and qualitative ecological datasets, applying R procedures and code

- Share and archive code and data responsibly for quality assurance purposes and to facilitate collaboration

- Contribute to the production of written reports to research funders and peer-reviewed publications in collaboration with colleagues and project partners

- Work with other members of the forest ecology team in an interdisciplinary manner to identify and develop novel areas of research for future project proposals

- Provide training on field and lab sample methodologies to research assistants/field surveyors

- Manage the purchase, maintenance of field and lab equipment related to the projects

- Contribute to lab management duties.

Person specification

Essential Criteria:

• Honours degree or equivalent with substantial content of ecology; environmental science; forest science; physical science or biological sciences or equivalent experience
• Experience of ecology field work, ecological sampling techniques, the measurement of physical variables
• Excellent organisational, sample /data handling and record keeping skills.

Desirable Criteria:

• Experience in collecting and analysing UK forest ecology data
• Evidence of excellent skills as a team player and collaborative, supportive partnership working
• Experience in analysing, modelling, and interpreting quantitative and qualitative data sets with statistical packages.
• Experience in the identification of ground vegetation, arthropods, fungi, soil invertebrates and/or mammal species
• Skilled in good laboratory practice with demonstrated experience of using microscopes, H&S processes
• Evidence of excellent communication skills, including writing skills, aimed at a range of audiences (e.g. general public, forest managers, fellow scientists) 
• Practiced with sample collection for DNA barcoding and/or metabarcoding analysis and related data interpretation.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £29,863, Forestry Commission - Forest Research contributes £8,063 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

Sift Date:                  13 August 2024
Interview Date:          20 August 2024

If a large volume of applications is received, then we will sift on Experience/Technical Expertise and the Lead Behaviour, Working Together.  However, candidates will be expected to answer all questions on all behaviours at the interview stage.  

We require the applicant to have a full current driving licence that enables them to drive in the UK. We will consider any proposals that would allow applicants to do the job by other means.

Candidates who are judged to be a near miss at interview may be considered for other positions in Forest Research which may be at a lower grade but which have a potential skills match.

Diverse perspectives and experiences are critical to our success and we welcome applications from all people from all backgrounds with the experience and skills needed to perform this role.

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria. The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.