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.   We are seeking to appoint a permanent Scientist – Entomology, based in Alice Holt to support the entomological contribution to the Tree Health Diagnostic and Advisory Service (THDAS). THDAS undertakes field and laboratory-based research into a range of tree pests and diseases as well as advising sector, policy and public stakeholders on pest management and monitoring. The post-holder will provide support for THDAS, responding to enquiries, provide contribution to field visits, processing samples from surveys and other sampling activities on a range of insect pests, as well as engaging in and contributing to work surrounding pest management, including eradication efforts. Enquiries will come from a range of sources, including the Forestry Commission, Scottish Forestry, National Resources Wales, the general public, and private landowners.  These include a range of diagnostic material, from photographs to trap samples or woody material.

Job description

This post is to work with the entomological advisory service which is part of the THDAS, provide advice to the sector, private owners, public and policy customers, and support current and future trapping and research programmes for key forest pests.

Key Work Areas:

1. Completing THDAS enquiries on a wide range of insect pests and providing advice for all levels of enquiry, from general oak processionary moth nest recording to detailed requests for forest-level management advice
2. Process samples associated with diagnosing insect pest species from THDAS, surveys, routine monitoring, and non-compliant wood packaging material interceptions through morphological and molecular means
3. Support current and future trapping and eradication programs (e.g., Ips typographus, Monochamus, non-native bark beetles) with field surveys, trap maintenance, insect identification and advice, and engaging in the development of additional monitoring as necessary
4. Responding to enquiries that come through TreeAlert, email, telephone, and letters, as well as processing samples from surveys, using both morphological and molecular methods
5. Support research programmes and engage in new areas of Tree Health research as these emerge
6. Contribute to laboratory management through the development and refinement of Standard Operating Procedures and Risk Assessments in accordance with our quarantine license
7. Develop knowledge exchange materials (including web content, popular articles, briefing notes) and contribute to training events, workshops and Forest Health days, including collaborations with Observatree

Person specification

Essential Criteria:

• Bachelor of Science Degree or equivalent in an appropriate subject area (Biology, Ecology, Forestry, etc)
• Developed invertebrate identification skills and familiarity with the use of taxonomic keys
• Experience of in-field insect surveying and monitoring
• Experience of laboratory work in relation to invertebrates, including collection and handling of samples

Desirable Criteria:

• An understanding of plant health issues and pest management
• Knowledge of the pesticide and biocontrol agent regulatory framework / relevant professional qualifications for their use
• Experience of molecular work including DNA barcoding
• Experience in curating entomological collections
• Use of GIS to interpret, record and present data
• Experience of fulfilling health and safety requirements in a fieldwork setting

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £27,779, Forestry Commission - Forest Research contributes £7,500 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 :  Sift will take place in the week commencing 18th December 2023               
Interview:  Interview are planned to take place on 11/12th January 2024     

If a large volume of applications is received, 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 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.