Forestry Commission
Research Assistant - Forest Ecology
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Job Summary
Part of the Forestry Commission family, Forest Research is a world leader in applied forest science, providing evidence and practical solutions to policymakers, forestry practitioners, land managers, and anyone with green space, UK-wide. With climate and biodiversity in crisis, and an increasing number of pests and diseases, our research is more vital than ever before. We advise on how woodlands can help combat climate change. We’re identifying tree species that will thrive in the future and ways of safeguarding those species at risk. Our research supports UK timber production because fewer imports reduce carbon emissions. We provide data on forests in Scotland, Wales, and England, and provide evidence of the societal benefits of woodland. We do all this working collaboratively with academia, partners, and industry, nationally and internationally.
Job Description
Fieldwork activities
These will include ecological assessments of biotic and abiotic variables across diverse forest habitats (e.g. wet woodlands, plantations, and ancient woodlands) and agroforestry systems. Environmental data collection will include measurements and sample collection to characterise site conditions (e.g. soil sampling for physical and chemical analysis). Biological assessments will include standardised multi-taxa biodiversity surveys (e.g. ground vegetation and fungi assessments, arthropod trapping, bat and bird acoustic monitoring). Activities may also include minor construction, installation, and maintenance of equipment and infrastructure at long-term field experiment sites. The successful applicant should enjoy working outdoors in varied weather conditions and be flexible to travel regularly across Great Britain, including occasional overnight stays.
Laboratory-based work
These will involve supporting with the management and daily workings of the Ecology Laboratory at Alice Holt. Specific lab-based activities will include processing and preparation of ecological samples (e.g. mammal eDNA samples, ectomycorrhizal root tips, bulk arthropod samples) prior to downstream environmental DNA (eDNA) molecular analyses. Some of the work will involve the cleaning and sterilisation of equipment used for eDNA and other molecular sampling. The post-holder will have the opportunity to learn basic species identification skills for multiple taxonomic groups (e.g. bryophytes, fungi, arthropods).
Office-based activities
These will include support with survey site selection and fieldwork preparation (e.g. accommodation and travel logistics, and data sheet preparation). The post-holder will also have opportunities to contribute to data analysis, the preparation of reports and scientific outputs, and the development of external funding applications.
The Centre for Forest Management leads FR's research into climate change, urban forests, silviculture, land use, and ecosystem services, and the ways in which society values trees. Within the Centre for Forest Management, the science teams that the candidate will be supporting deliver evidence, methods, and tools to help policymakers and practitioners understand how land use and climate change affect the biodiversity, resilience, and ecosystem services of wooded landscapes, now and in the future. We combine spatial analysis with ecological and forestry knowledge to deliver scientifically robust insights relevant to policy and practice.
Key Work Areas
The successful applicant will be required to:
- Liaise with colleagues and project managers to develop realistic work schedules.
- Support field site selection, logistics, equipment procurement, and delivery of field campaigns.
- Undertake ecological field surveys across Great Britain, including travel and overnight stays where required.
- Conduct multi-taxa biodiversity monitoring using standardised methods, including ground vegetation and fungal surveys, arthropod sampling, bat and bird acoustic monitoring, and ecological assessments of Ancient and Veteran trees.
- Process ecological samples in the laboratory, including environmental DNA (eDNA), bulk arthropod, and other biological samples prior to downstream analyses.
- Prepare, maintain, and sterilise field and laboratory equipment, ensuring quality assurance and contamination control for eDNA sampling.
- Support with managing laboratory standards in the Ecology Lab at our Alice Holt Research Station.
- Assist in the preparation of technical reports, scientific publications, presentations, and other research outputs.
- Work effectively within a multidisciplinary team while maintaining high standards of health and safety, scientific integrity, and data quality.
- Carry out minor construction, installation, and maintenance of equipment and infrastructure at long-term field experiment sites.
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Person specification
Essential Criteria:
- Undergraduate degree or similar relevant qualification (e.g. Foundation Degree) with substantial content in ecology, environmental science, forest science, physical science, or biological sciences, or equivalent relevant professional experience
- Experience of ecology fieldwork, ecological sampling techniques, and the measurement of physical variables
- Excellent organisational, sample/data handling, and record keeping skills
- Experience in good laboratory practice, including the use of microscopes, H&S processes
- Willingness to undertake seasonal fieldwork throughout the year across Great Britain, including regular travel and occasional overnight stays *
*Travel and overnight stays are estimated to be required up to 3 weeks per month. However, this will not necessarily be continuous and likely to be broken up with days in the office.
Due to the nature of the role, we require applicants to have a full current driving licence that enables them to drive in the UK.
Desirable Criteria:
The below criteria are desirable only. These will not be assessed throughout the recruitment process but will be used in the event of tied scores between candidates.
- Experience in collecting and analysing UK forest ecology data
- Experience in the identification of ground vegetation, fungi, and/or arthropods and/or bioacoustic monitoring techniques
- Experience in forest science, forest ecology, forest biometrics, and/or restoration ecology
- Practice with sample collection for DNA metabarcoding and/or eDNA metabarcoding
- Experience with practical construction, repair, and maintenance activities including the use of light hand and power tools
- Experience in the use of GIS software such as ARCGIS/QGIS or similar
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Making Effective Decisions
- Delivering at Pace
- Working Together
Benefits
- Alongside your salary of £30,105, Forestry Commission - Forest Research contributes £8,721 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).
- Excellent professional development opportunities which are tailored to your role, with paid professional membership subscriptions, mentoring, and Civil Service Learning available to all
- Access to world-class laboratory facilities, as well as state-of-the-art buildings within forest or science park settings
- Flexible working options such as: up to two days flexi leave per month, blended working, part-time working, paid special leave, career breaks, and unpaid leave. Parents and carers will be supported to enable you to manage work and family responsibilities
- A generous annual leave allowance of 25 days on entry increasing by 1 day each year to a maximum of 30 days (pro-rata for part-timers). Plus 2.5 days of additional leave and 8 days’ paid bank/public holidays
- A culture which promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment
- A range of wellbeing benefits including Employee Assistance Programme 24/7
- We want you to feel part of something bigger and we encourage a community feel in our workplaces, with everything from cookery competitions to Pilates and fell running, plus topical talks at Wellbeing Wednesdays and Feelgood Fridays
- Paid volunteering leave of 3 days per year so you can give back to your community and charitable causes by sharing your skills and time
- A highly competitive Civil Service Pension of 28.97% of your salary
- An employee benefits scheme offering discounts on groceries, gym memberships, holidays, days out, online retailers, and high street shops
- Cycle to Work scheme and Interest-free loans
- Free parking is offered on-site, alongside electric car charging ports
- With maternity, adoption, and/or shared parental leave, there’s the flexibility to have up to 26 weeks full pay, followed by 13 weeks statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid leave. Paternity leave of up to two weeks is available with full pay.
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Any move to Forest Research from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate, and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.
Please apply at Civil Service Jobs - GOV.UK, you will be asked to supply:
- A CV – setting out your career history, highlighting specific responsibilities and achievements that are relevant for this role
- Submit a Personal Statement – (limited to 500 words) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities, and experience meet the essential criteria as outlined in the person specification
- Submit a statement of up to 250 words on each of the three following behaviours: Making Effective Decisions, Delivering at Pace, and Working Together.
We will use this information to assess your application against the essential criteria in the person specification.
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