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

The Centre for Inventory, Forecasting and Operational Support (IFOS) provides practical software and data solutions to help our customers manage information about their woodland resource in a pragmatic and integrated way. We also provide information, evidence and official statistics on the woodland resource in GB. We do this by blending data collection, GIS, Data Science, Statistics, Mapping and Forestry skills providing analysis, modelling and data processing solutions to answer the questions and queries posed to us.  We serve customer’s both internal to FR and across the devolved administrations as well as in the private sector.

Job description

Reporting to the Head of Centre for IFOS this role will provide collaborative leadership and specialist knowledge for colleagues across FR and the devolved administrations, to manage and develop our Remote Sensing and Earth Observation service offering and to evolve FR’s strategic approach in this area.  With a current but growing budget of c. £0.5 million p.a. you will lead a small team of 5 spatial data scientists.  The role requires a strong customer focus and will lead on the development of solutions to support FR customers with their business problems.  Projects vary in their size and duration making agile approach to management suitable to ensure optimal methods and services are adopted.  Remote sensing projects will cover a broad range of topics within forestry and require a deep understanding of both remote sensing theory, data science and product development for successful delivery.

Key Work Areas: 

• Lead and develop a team to innovate and develop ideas and techniques to both support colleagues across FR and to support customers with their business problems. 
• Developing scientific techniques utilising a range of data sources as well as operationalising these techniques and overseeing and maintaining operational outputs.
• Develop and lead FR’s strategy and direction for Remote Sensing/Earth Observation in collaboration with the FR Senior Management Team and FR board and our key customers.
• Prepare proposals for customers (time, cost, quality) and manage delivery of external contracts to agreed standards and delivery dates.
• Ensure high standards of communication and feedback through the delivery process.
• Work with others in IFOS to ensure appropriate validation of remote sensing products.
• Prepare and manage the budget and forecasts for the team and ensure adherence to FR timetables in this respect.
• Collaborate with the IFOS Senior Leadership team on Centre aims and goals and support colleagues in the delivery of their outputs.

Person specification

Essential Criteria:

• A degree or significant experience in Remote Sensing/Earth Observation techniques.
• Proven track record of handling large, time series datasets.
• Good communication skills with the ability to explain complex problems effectively and generate inclusion and focus to deliver work programmes.
• The ability to lead and develop a team fostering an inclusive ethos where staff can learn and grow their skills.
• The ability to think strategically and to influence strategic discussions collaboratively to pursue desired outcomes.
• Proven track record of delivering large complex datasets.
• Experience working with high performance computing architectures and software development.
• Excellent skills in data science programming languages such as Python, R and Java Script for Google Earth Engine.
• Advanced knowledge of spatial algorithms, statistical modelling, and machine learning.

Desirable Criteria:

• A good working knowledge of the forest industry
• A good understanding of Project Management principles
• Familiarity with large government environmental programmes such as the NCF (Nature for Climate Fund) and NCEA (Natural Capital Ecosystem Assessment)  

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £55,960, Forestry Commission - Forest Research contributes £15,109 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 is planned to take place on 2nd May 2024          
Interviews are planned to take place 13th May 2024 

Applicants who attend interview will be required to prepare a short presentation.

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

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 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.