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 fungal ecology position is available to support research on a DEFRA-funded Nature for Climate Change project ‘Fungi for Forest Restoration’ (Fungi4Restor) aiming to investigate mycorrhizal mutualisms in former farmland and the role they play in successful tree establishment (via planting and natural colonisation). See Fungi for Forest Restoration (Fungi4Restor) - Forest Research As the UK moves towards ambitious afforestation goals, there remain major knowledge gaps in our understanding of colonisation pathways and rates of recovery of essential belowground soil fungi that closely associate with different tree species.

The post-holder will join LUES 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 postholder will join is at the forefront in the forestry sector of applying molecular tools (DNA metabarcoding) as a direct measure of biodiversity, with a longstanding focus on forest ectomycorrhizal communities. Forest diversification and tree functional trait effects on biodiversity and forest resilience are other key specialist research topic strengths. The team leader has strong national and international links, publishing widely in peer-reviewed, applied and trade journals. Expert advice and guidance are provided to the forest industry and research results directly inform forest policy and practice.

Job description

The successful applicant will progress research through a combination of field, laboratory and office-based work. Some of the work will be at FR’s ‘Climate match’ provenance/species diversification trials in Kent and the National Forest.  https://treedivnet.ugent.be/ExpClimateMatch.html  They will also undertake data analysis, contribute to scientific outputs, including papers and reports. In addition, they will contribute to outreach outputs including webpages, practitioner-targeted knowledge-transfer articles, posters and presentations at meetings. They will be expected to work both as part of a team and independently. They will be responsible for the timely collection of field samples, preparation of sample manifests, liaising with landowners, field surveyors and external service providers (e.g. molecular and soil chemistry labs, contractors) and the maintenance and preparation of field equipment.

Key Work Areas:

The successful applicant will be required to:

 

- Undertake varied field-based assessments (collecting data on multiple abiotic and biotic variables) and lab-based processing of field samples
- Liaise with colleagues and external project collaborators to develop realistic work schedules
- 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
- Have an interest in and understanding of forest biodiversity, forest protection, tree health issues and/or forest management measures associated with any of these topics

Person specification

Essential Criteria:

•    Post-graduate degree (MSc) in a relevant science discipline (Mycology, Ecology, Forestry)
•    Excellent organisational, sample /data handling and record keeping skills
•    Experience in analysing, modelling and interpreting quantitative data sets with statistical packages; i.e. Competent user of R or equivalent for statistical analyses of multivariate and ecological datasets
•    A full UK driving licence that enables you to drive in the UK. We will also consider any other proposals that would allow applicants to do the job by other means. 

Desirable Criteria:

•    Experience of fungal ecology research and fieldwork experience, including the collection/isolation of fungal specimens (e.g. sampling of mycorrhizas on root tips). Also, wider ecological sampling techniques that involve the measurement soil physical and chemical properties, characterising environmental conditions 
•    Skilled in good laboratory practice with demonstrated experience of using microscopes, H&S processes 
•    Evidence of excellent writing skills aimed at a range of audiences (e.g. general public, forest managers, fellow scientists)  
•    Familiarity with DNA meta/barcoding techniques and associated datasets

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 will take place on 7 August 2024
Interviews are planned to take place on 14 / 15 August 2024

If a large volume of applications is received, then we will sift on Experience/Technical Expertise and the Lead Behaviour, Delivering at Pace. 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.