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 research scientist position is available with research focussed on implementing and improving new methods in forest biodiversity monitoring and assessment, including novel technologies such as DNA metabarcoding and bio-acoustics.

The research has a strong focus on incorporating measures of woodland ecological condition into natural capital ecosystem accounting within the DEFRA-funded Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment (NCEA) Programme.

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 play a central role as a forest ecologist and scientist to ensure the successful delivery of NCEA biodiversity monitoring and assessment projects that cover multiple taxonomic groups (i.e. forest mammals, soil invertebrates and fungi, canopy, and sub-canopy arthropods). 

The applicant will additionally contribute to research that focusses on understanding forest diversification effects on levels of biodiversity and resilience to environmental change. Work areas have in common a focus on gathering evidence and trialling novel methods of biodiversity assessment (e.g. eDNA metabarcoding, bio-acoustics) to improve understanding of forest type, forest management and forest diversification effects on biodiversity/ woodland ecological condition.

The successful applicant will work collaboratively with Forest Research scientists across disciplines and apply their specialist forest ecology knowledge and understanding of biomonitoring tools to design, plan, and progress research through a combination of field and desk-based work, supervising the activities of supporting staff.

The applicant will need to ensure that the collection of biodiversity and wider environmental metadata are fully aligned and collected by support staff in a timely, safe, and cost-effective manner, considering seasonal constraints and monitoring spend against project budgets.

The successful applicant will be required to:

• Develop and co-ordinate field-based survey assessments of multiple taxonomic groups against realistic work schedules. This also involves collecting data on multiple abiotic and biotic variables, training and managing support staff
• Procure lab-based processing of field samples, including DNA metabarcoding applied to multiple taxonomic groups (i.e. forest mammals, soil invertebrates and fungi, canopy and sub-canopy arthropods)
• Ensure effective and timely communication and reporting of research outputs to project partners and stakeholders; carefully plan and monitor time allocation and expenditure on multiple projects
•  Work collaboratively with Forest Research and partner organisation scientists across disciplines (molecular ecologists, vertebrate and invertebrate experts, landscape ecologists) to ensure that the collection of eDNA samples, specimens, bio-acoustic monitoring, and wider environmental metadata are fully aligned
• Undertake data analysis, publish scientific outputs, including papers and reports and seek out opportunities to highlight the research underway (create web page content, present research) in collaboration with colleagues and project partners
• Manage, share, and archive code and data responsibly for quality assurance purposes and to facilitate collaboration
• Lead and/or contribute to project funding proposal formulation
• Develop soil biodiversity eDNA (fungi & invertebrates) and mammal eDNA sampling practice guide for long term monitoring in partnership with FR colleagues involved in similar eDNA work and external partners (Natural England, JNCC) where the long term aim is that this will contribute to 25 Year Environmental Plan indicators (E7, D1, D2, D4)
• Participate in relevant national and international research collaborations (e.g. BIOSCAN project) and act as a sub where needed to represent FR in relevant workshops (DNA working group)

Person specification

Essential Criteria:

• Post-graduate degree (PhD) in a relevant science discipline (Ecology, Forestry) or equivalent experience
• Experience of ecology research and fieldwork experience including sampling and monitoring techniques that help characterise environmental conditions (e.g. measurement of light levels, soil physical and chemical properties)
• Evidence of excellent communication and writing skills aimed at a range of audiences (e.g. general public, forest managers, fellow scientists)
• Knowledge of the advantages and limitations of DNA-based and bio-acoustic monitoring techniques
• Excellent organisational, data handling and record keeping skills
• Skilled in good laboratory practice, H&S processes
• Experience in experimental design and in analysing, modelling and interpreting quantitative and qualitative ecological data sets with statistical packages
• Competent user of R or equivalent for statistical analyses of multivariate and ecological datasets

Desirable Criteria:

• Project management experience
• Support staff management experience including budget management
• Familiar with and/or practiced with bio-acoustic monitoring techniques
• Practiced with sample collection for DNA barcoding and/or metabarcoding analysis and related data interpretation
• Proficient in the use of GIS systems for spatial analysis using both vector and raster data
• Experienced in forest science, forest ecology and biomonitoring
• Lead author or key contributor towards writing and analysis of a scientific publication.

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £37,485, Forestry Commission - Forest Research contributes £10,120 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:                  12 August 2024
Interview Date:         19 August 2024

If a large volume of applications is received, then we will sift on Experience/Technical Expertise and the Lead Behaviour, Making Effective Decisions.  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 invited to interview will be expected to give a 5 minute presentation on the follow question:

Can you describe an example of when you needed to rally and organise support from others to achieve a work target, or to come up with a novel solution to a problem?

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.