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 3-year research scientist position in forest ecology is available at the Centre for Forest Management, Forest Research. The successful candidate will play a central role in a new multi-partner research project that aims to describe the biodiversity associated with different forest types, taking into consideration different stages of forest development and forest management practices. The National Forest Inventory (NFI) sample squares are proposed as the platform for the research where new empirical data collection is planned. At a time of significant environmental change and widespread afforestation, an improved understanding of how biodiversity is shaped by different forest types is vital to improve planning and management of forest ecosystems for enhanced ecosystem resilience and biodiversity gains.  

Job description

The post-holder will liaise with relevant stakeholders and project partners to agree a categorisation of forest types and forest management practices to include in the study of biodiversity associated with different forest types. These parameters will be used by the post-holder to co-design a robust field experimental survey and identify a range of direct measures of biodiversity that can be collected within NFI sample squares, supplementing existing NFI proxy measures of biodiversity. The successful applicant will engage closely with staff in the Inventory, Forecasting and Operational Support (IFOS) Science Group involved with managing the NFI databases and providing statistical support.  

Key Work Areas

• Co-develop a robust field study experimental survey design and costed sampling framework, working collaboratively with Forest Research scientists across disciplines (molecular ecologists, vertebrate and invertebrate experts, landscape ecologists, NFI team, statisticians). Liaise with colleagues, project partners, landowners, and stakeholders, keeping them updated with project progress and collecting feedback
• Co-ordinate field-based survey assessments of multiple taxonomic groups and 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). This also involves collecting data on multiple abiotic and biotic variables
• Ensure that the collection of environmental DNA, specimens and wider environmental metadata are fully aligned
• Develop realistic work schedules, effective and timely communication and reporting of research outputs
• Monitor time allocation and expenditure, keeping the project leader informed and contributing to reporting on progress to funders
• Training and managing support staff
• Analyse, model and interpret quantitative and qualitative ecological datasets, applying R procedures and code
• Research and identify solutions to data analysis problems, consulting with FR statisticians where required
• 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, the production of written reports to research funders and peer-reviewed publications in collaboration with colleagues and project partners

Person specification

Essential Criteria:

• Post-graduate degree (PhD) in a relevant science discipline (Ecology, Forestry) or equivalent experience
• Experience of forest ecology research and fieldwork experience. Also, wider ecological sampling techniques that involve the measurement of soil physical and chemical properties, characterising environmental conditions
• Evidence of excellent writing skills aimed at a range of audiences (e.g. general public, forest managers, fellow scientists)  
• Experience in handling, analysing, modelling, and interpreting quantitative and qualitative ecological data sets with statistical packages
• Demonstration of excellent organisational, data handling and record keeping skills
• Experience in robust experimental design
• Evidence of working in teams and independently

Desirable Criteria:

• Project management experience
• Support staff management experience
• Botanical identification skills
• Experience in the use of GIS systems for spatial analysis using both vector and raster data
• Experience in forest science, forest ecology, forest biometrics and/or restoration ecology
• Competent user of R or equivalent for statistical analyses of multivariate and ecological datasets
• Lead author or key contributor towards writing and analysis of a scientific publication
• Skilled in good laboratory practice with demonstrated experience using microscopes, H&S processes
• Practical experience in the application of DNA metabarcoding techniques and/or other biomonitoring technologies
• Experience in the process of systematic literature reviews and meta-analyses
• Familiarity with functional trait approaches in ecology (i.e. functional trait databases, functional trait grouping using cluster analyses)
• Experience of building and maintaining collaborations with a range of stakeholders and partners

 

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £35,870, Forestry Commission - Forest Research contributes £9,684 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:  14 March 2024
Interview Date: week commencing 18th or 25th March 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.