About the job

Job summary

Want to work at the cutting edge of environmental science?  Passionate about making a difference and playing your part in tackling the climate and nature crisis?  Forest Research is all about giving top quality evidence and advice to policymakers and practitioners to make a positive impact on the ground. Internationally recognised, we need people who have the skills and passion to work on excellent science and provide practical solutions for nature.

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 planet.  And you will find us a flexible and inclusive employer, so you can have a work life balance that is tailor-made to your circumstances. So, whether it’s climate or carbon, pests or pathogens, behaviour or biodiversity that interests you, you can be assured of a warm welcome to the team. To find out more, visit forestresearch.gov.uk.

The Climate Change Research Group works to improve understanding of forest function including: (i) the impact of climate change on forests and forestry, (ii) what role forestry can have in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and climate change, and (iii) how forestry practice can adapt to reduce the impact of climate change and to benefit from any opportunities. The research is across the spectrum from more fundamental measurements, through developing methods and tools, undertaking practical action and demonstration, and providing advice and evidence to underpin policy. We have many external collaborations in the UK and internationally.

Job description

This job will involve a varied mixture of desk, laboratory, and field work, primarily within the UK. The post holder will support work at our long-term eddy covariance flux tower site as well as other, shorter-term experiments measuring greenhouse gas fluxes, forest meteorology, tree growth dynamics, and phenology, amongst other things. There is scope for the post-holder to develop their own work in these areas. Field work will involve taking measurements, installing, and maintaining instrumentation. Laboratory work will involve setting up, testing and calibrating equipment and ensuring equipment inventories, standard operating procedures and risk assessments are up to date. The post holder will also be required to carry out data analysis, visualisation, summary, and report writing and communicating results to different audiences, on their own and with colleagues.

Key work areas:

• Setting up, maintaining, and running a range of field experiments in forest environments using meteorological and greenhouse gas flux instruments, and conducting other field measurements
• Calibrating, troubleshooting, and maintaining complex instrumentation
• Carrying out quality assurance and preliminary data analysis of large/complex data sets, and summarising the main results of these analyses in both scientific and non-technical manner
• Contributing to internal reports, trade, and scientific journal articles
• Talking to a wide range of audiences, both at seminars and during field visits
• Coordinating with other FR and local forest district staff to deliver key work

Person specification

Essential Criteria

• A degree in a relevant science or environmental discipline, closely related subject, or equivalent experience
• Significant demonstrable experience of using electronic equipment (such as data loggers) and other instrumentation (e.g. gas analysers) for environmental monitoring
• Be able to write clearly, concisely, and appropriately for different audiences
• Good numerical skills, with data analysis experience
• Be well organised, be thorough and maintain high standards of accuracy
• Able both to work on their own and demonstrate effective team working
• Be prepared to work outside in all seasons
• Be willing to travel for field work within the UK, requiring some nights away
• Ascending instrument access towers in and above the forest is an essential part of this role, so applicants must be comfortable working at heights

Desirable Criteria

• Experience using sensors to monitor microclimate, meteorology, and greenhouse gas fluxes
• Interest in the impact on, and role of woodlands and forestry, in the changing climate.
• Demonstrable individual research experience
• Knowledge and experience of environmental monitoring, soils and vegetation survey methods
• Experience of conducting field experiments and laboratory work
• Ability to process and analyse large and complex data sets
• Competent in a relevant modern data processing language such as R or Python

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:            18th April 2024

Interview Dates: 1st & 2nd May 2024

If we receive a large volume of applications, then we will sift on Experience/Technical Expertise and the Lead Behaviour, Managing a Quality Service. However, candidates will be expected to answer questions on all behaviours listed 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 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.