Forestry Commission
Scientist - Pathology Bioinformatician
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Location
Northern Research Station, Roslin, Midlothian, EH25 9SY
Working Arrangement
Blended working (home and workplace)
Job Summary
Forest Research (FR) is a leading organization in applied forest science, part of the Forestry Commission family. Our mission is to provide evidence and practical solutions to policy makers, forestry professionals, land managers, and anyone with green space across the UK. With climate and biodiversity in crisis, our research is more vital than ever. We advise on how woodlands can help combat climate change, identify tree species that will thrive in the future, and safeguard species at risk. Our research supports UK timber production by reducing imports and carbon emissions. We provide robust data on forests in Scotland, Wales, and England, and evidence of the societal benefits of woodland. Our work is supported by the latest technology and collaboration with academia, partners, and industry nationally and internationally.
Role Description
This role will focus on developing and applying bioinformatic workflows and conducting genomic, transcriptomic, and statistical analyses of DNA and RNA sequence data to investigate the biology, diversity, and evolution of fungal and oomycete forest pathogens. The Pathology team at FR addresses important tree health problems in UK forests, focusing on oomycete, fungal, and bacterial pathogens. Current projects include developing a DNA detection tool for oomycete forest pathogens using Oxford Nanopore sequencing, comparative whole genome analyses of invasive oomycete and fungal pathogens, and exploring the genetic basis of resistance in conifers to invasive Phytophthora species.
Job Description
The role involves the following specific tasks, utilizing the computing resources provided by the James Hutton Institute’s Crop Diversity Cluster.
- Development of bioinformatic pipelines for Oxford Nanopore sequencing, specifically for:
- Identification of oomycete species from metabarcoding data
- Identification of causal pathogens from genomic DNA generated from infected tree samples
- Analyses of Illumina genomic sequences generated for historic fungal herbarium specimens, applying haplotype, PCA, and other population genomic approaches to answer taxonomic and evolutionary questions
- Analysis of dual RNAseq data to identify genes and pathways associated with conifer resistance to invasive Phytophthora
- Contribution to research proposal development
Person Specification
Essential Criteria
- PhD in evolutionary genetics and/or bioinformatics of forest pathogens
- Demonstrable ability to independently use bioinformatics software, command-line tools, and programming/scripting languages for genomic, transcriptomic, and population genetic analyses, including Bash and R
- Experience in developing and applying bioinformatics approaches for pathogen identification from metabarcoding data
- Significant knowledge of the genetics, molecular biology, and evolution of plants and plant pathogens, with experience analyzing and interpreting genomic and transcriptomic data to investigate host-pathogen interactions
Desirable Criteria
- Experience analyzing and interpreting dual RNAseq data to investigate host defense and pathogen virulence, including functional analyses of gene expression
- Demonstrable experience in applying linear and generalized linear mixed models and Bayesian multivariate approaches to the analysis of complex biological datasets
- Experience in a forest pathology research environment, including molecular laboratory processes
- Scientific writing skills, evidenced through published papers and submitted research proposals
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Behaviours
- Delivering at Pace
- Making Effective Decisions
Salary and Benefits
- Salary: £40,388
- Pension Contribution: Forestry Commission - Forest Research contributes £11,700 towards the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.
Career
- Excellent professional development opportunities tailored to your role, with paid professional membership subscriptions, mentoring, and Civil Service Learning available to all
- Access to world-class laboratory facilities and state-of-the-art buildings within forest or science park settings
Work/Life Balance
- 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
- 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
Wellbeing
- A culture promoting a diverse and inclusive work environment
- A range of wellbeing benefits including Employee Assistance Programme 24/7
- Community feel in our workplaces, with activities such as cookery competitions, Pilates, fell running, topical talks at Wellbeing Wednesdays and Feelgood Fridays
- Paid volunteering leave of 3 days per year to give back to the community and charitable causes by sharing your skills and time
Benefits
- Highly competitive Civil Service Pension of 28.97% of your salary
- 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 on-site, alongside electric car charging ports
- Maternity, adoption, and/or shared parental leave with 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.
Important Notes
- Any move to Forest Research from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. However, you may be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at 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. Plagiarism will result in application withdrawal and potential disciplinary action for internal candidates. See our [candidate guidance](opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Selection Process Details
This vacancy uses Success Profiles and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.
Application Process
- Apply at Civil Service Jobs - GOV.UK
- Submit a CV highlighting relevant career history, responsibilities, and achievements.
Shortlist
The panel will select candidates based on evidence provided against the Essential Criteria in the Person Specification. Failure to address these may affect your application.
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Interview
- Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed on 6 October 2026 via MS Teams.
- Assessment will focus on experience and the following behaviours: Delivering at Pace and Making Effective Decisions.
- Feedback will be provided only if you attend an interview or assessment.
Diversity and Inclusion
We welcome applications from all backgrounds with the experience and skills needed to perform this role. If you have disabilities, we can make reasonable changes to our processes. Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form.
Visa Sponsorship
FR holds a licence to sponsor Skilled Workers under the Home Office points-based immigration system. Sponsorship may be available based on role criteria assessment.
Further Details
Refer to Sponsorship for Skilled Workers – guidance for applicants and managers on our website.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check and complete baseline personnel security standard checks.
Nationality Requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- Nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- Nationals of Commonwealth countries with the right to work in the UK
- Nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein with settled or pre-settled status under the EUSS
- Nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland, or Liechtenstein with a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the 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
Refer to nationality requirements.
Working for the Civil Service
- Civil Service Code: Sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
- Recruitment Principles: Based on fair and open competition and merit, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles.
- Diversity and Inclusion: The Civil Service is committed to attracting, retaining, and investing in talent. Read more in the Civil Service People Plan and Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy.
Contact Point for Applicants
Job Contact
Name: hr.services@forestresearch.gov.uk
Email: hr.services@forestresearch.gov.uk
Recruitment Team
Email: hr.services@forestresearch.gov.uk
Further Information
Our recruitment process is based on fair and open competition and merit, as outlined in the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles, contact FR HR Services by email: hr.services@forestresearch.gov.uk. If unsatisfied with the response, contact the Civil Service Commission, which regulates all Civil Service
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