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 post holder will be a member of the Urban Forest Research Group. This Science Group informs policy, planning and practice through research into urban trees and the urban forest, with a specific focus on climate change adaptation and sustainable development.

The group’s applied research provides information to government, local authorities, research institutes, professional bodies, consultants, and practitioners to support the delivery of healthy, multipurpose, and resilient urban forests.

The Urban Forest Research Group is also home to FR’s Centre of Excellence in Land Regeneration, providing literature, guidance, and knowledge exchange on the creation of new urban greenspaces, especially from previously used land, and understanding the multi-functional benefits that this can provide to society and the environment.

Job description

We seek to appoint a scientific researcher with experience in environmental or tree/plant monitoring, data processing, and statistical analysis.  The purposes of the job are:

• To lead and develop the group’s use of environmental and tree/plant science sensors for the collection of high-quality, long-term data relating to benefits provided by the urban forest
• To collaborate with group colleagues in delivery of existing projects including but not limited to local cooling by street trees, planning for delivery of multiple ecosystem services, novel urban tree species performance, urban tree allometry, and development and delivery of novel i-Tree Eco projects across the UK
• To develop strategic partnerships with Forest Research colleagues and with external stakeholders, and to contribute to fulfilment of the group’s scientific strategy

 Key Work Areas:

 Technical:

• Lead on development and delivery of the group’s establishment of networks of environmental and tree/plant sensors for collection of data relating to ecosystem services provided by urban trees, including but not limited to cooling, flood regulation, and noise regulation
• Specify, or procure, Internet of Things-enabled environmental (e.g. temperature, humidity, sound levels, soil water content) and tree/plant (e.g. sap flow, growth bands, leaf area) sensors for monitoring trees in ambient spaces in urban areas, and implement long-term monitoring campaign

Project Management:

• Undertake project management by setting and agreeing timelines, planning, and monitoring budgets, agreeing, and overseeing deliverables
• With support from colleagues, organise and attend in-person and online project meetings, to collate and encourage sharing of information from all stakeholders, review and discuss progress and barriers, to resolve problems, to determine collaborative requirements, and to set priorities 
• Provide regular updates to ensure colleagues and stakeholders have a clear understanding of the project plan, risks, needs, and progress 

Fieldwork:

• Work closely with colleagues within Forest Research and external colleagues, including engaging with local authorities and other stakeholders and undertaking preliminary fieldwork, to design experiments, and to ensure integration of deliverables with wider Forest Research objectives
• Plan, lead, and undertake fieldwork, with support from and engagement with colleagues
• Maintain the field experiments and troubleshooting data collection to ensure delivery of high-quality, long-term data

 Data:

•  Process and analyse field data using existing and custom-built functions in R, Python, or similar high-level language along with Microsoft Office applications
• Interpret the data in the wider context of this field of work and Forest Research’s scientific objectives

 Funding Bids, Research & Publications:

• Publish results, findings, and recommendations in a range of styles as internal and external project reports, contract reports, briefing notes, trade press articles, and peer-reviewed papers
• Design, contribute to bids for funding for, and lead further research into urban trees and urban forests in conjunction with Forest Research colleagues, external colleagues and stakeholders

 Direct Reporting:

• Report to their line management chain, and collaborators on progress, through written, digital, and verbal communication in a range of styles appropriate to the recipient
• Be a member of the Urban Forest Research Group and support group members in other work areas, including but not limited to undertaking fieldwork, report writing, technical assistance, data processing and analysis, and attending team meetings

External Representation:

• Attend conferences and seminars relating to and expanding their area of work, to disseminate results, learn from other researchers, and establish strategic professional relationships with a diverse range of stakeholders

Professional Development:

• Seek out and undertake training and learning opportunities relevant to the role and which will expand their and the group’s capability and understanding

Person specification

Essential Criteria:

• Master’s degree in Environmental Science, Geography, Urban Forestry, Climate Science, or similar
• Experience of installing, maintaining, and trouble-shooting specialist environmental or tree/plant sensors for measurement of field data, using either Internet of Things or in-situ data logging
• Experience in statistics and statistical software, and coding (preferably R)
• Experience of using Geographic Information Systems (GIS), preferably ESRI platforms (ArcMap, ArcGIS Pro, ArcGIS Online)
• Experience in writing internal, external, and contract reports, and in overcoming challenges to delivering a high-quality product
• Experience in communicating results and expressing ideas and summaries effectively, both verbally and in writing to scientific and lay audiences
• Experience in designing and implementing new research projects
• Experience in joining and complementing existing research projects
• Strong team-working abilities as well as the ability to work independently
• Excellent computer skills, including advanced use of Microsoft Office applications
• Ability to undertake UK-wide and occasional international travel to attend conferences, meetings, and to undertake fieldwork
• 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

Desirable Criteria:

• Experience of using sensors to monitor sap flow, growth, or other physiological properties of trees or other vegetation
• Experience in collection of high-quality field data through planning, instrument maintenance and problem-solving, and data quality control
• Experience in working with big datasets using coding (preferably in R or Python)
• Experience in project and contract management, including budgets, timelines, teams, and milestones/deliverables
• Knowledge of urban tree species and the role of trees in urban spaces
• Tree identification skills and knowledge of tree physiology
• Authored or co-authored articles in the peer-reviewed scientific press
• Arboricultural training, qualifications, or professional experience

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:            week commencing 8th January 2024
Interview Date:   week commencing 15th January 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 questions on all behaviours at the interview stage.  

Applicants invited to interview will be asked to prepare a short presentation, subject to be advised on confirmation of interview.

This vacancy is open to employees who were appointed to the Civil Service on merit following a fair and open competition or were appointed to a permanent Civil Service post in accordance with an exception certified by the Civil Service Commissioners. This may mean that an employee on Short Term Temporary Appointment, or an Agency Worker, is not eligible to apply for this post. 

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.