Forestry Commission
Scientist-Pathology
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Job Role
The role will be based in Northern Research Station, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9SY, with blended working which gives you the option to work some of the week from home, and some of the week from the workplace.
Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas.
Job Summary
Part of the Forestry Commission family, Forest Research (FR) is a world leader in applied forest science, providing evidence and practical solutions to policy makers, forestry professionals, land managers and anyone with green space, across Great Britain. 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 seeking ways to safeguard those species at risk. Our research supports UK timber production because fewer imports reduce carbon emissions. We provide robust data on forests in Scotland, Wales and England, and provide evidence of the societal benefits of woodland. We do all this utilising the latest technology while working collaboratively with academia, partners and industry, nationally and internationally.
The Tree Health Research Group’s Role Is To Sustain The Forestry And Tree Sector In Britain Through Three Main Activities:
- Provision of rapid diagnosis of tree health problems and advice via FR’s Tree Health Diagnostic and Advisory Service (THDAS).
- Undertaking relevant and topical research on the pest and pathogen threats that affect British trees to inform appropriate management and future proofing.
- Conducting analyses and evaluations of specific tree health issues to underpin government policy.
Members of the group who carry out work on forest pathology typically undertake field and laboratory-based investigations and research into a range of tree pathogens including bacterial, fungal and Phytophthora species.
Job Description
Key Work Areas
Diagnostician within the Tree Health Diagnostic and Advisory Service (THDAS)
- Providing advice and examining samples submitted to the THDAS for diagnosis, applying classical morphological and molecular diagnostic techniques as required.
- Undertaking basic bio-informatic processing of sequence reads, BLAST analysis and producing phylogenetic trees of species and taxa.
- Communicating to stakeholders at a variety of events, explaining pathogen threats, good biosecurity practice and the diagnostic services that THDAS offers.
- Provision of assistance with projects researching specific tree pathogens.
- Contributing to the development and application of methodologies for detecting pathogens and investigating their biology including interactions with their hosts.
- Undertaking interpretation of biological data and collaborating in the writing of scientific and technical publications as well as research proposals.
- Planning and carrying out field visits and sampling activities to achieve specific goals.
- Participating in knowledge exchange by presenting results to audiences with varying levels of technical expertise.
General Research Group & Centre Responsibilities
- Assisting in the continued smooth operation of the laboratory facilities at NRS.
- Writing and reviewing Standard Operating Procedures and contributing to the laboratory accreditation processes.
- Contributing to the wider activities of the Tree Health research group including the fulfilment of professional duties.
Person Specification
Essential Criteria:
- Degree in plant biological sciences, microbiology, or biochemistry or Post graduate qualification in Plant Pathology or Microbiology.
- Skill in good laboratory practice with demonstrated experience identifying microorganisms including molecular skills.
- Skills in general plant pathology methods, including microscopy and the isolation / culture of organisms from plants.
- Good standard of verbal and written communication.
- Competent IT user with experience of MS Office packages.
- Please note that due to the nature of the role, we require the applicant to have a full current driving licence that enables them to drive in the UK.
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Travel and overnight stays may be required approximately 5-6 times a year.
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.
- A broad understanding of plant pathology issues, particularly as they relate to emerging diseases of temperate woodlands, including Plant Health regulatory frameworks.
- Experience in laboratory management, and budget planning and monitoring of laboratory supplies.
- Expertise in the accreditation of molecular diagnostic protocols and inter-laboratory proficiency testing.
- Tree knowledge.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Working Together
- Delivering at Pace
- Managing a Quality Service
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
Working Together
Technical skills
We'll assess you against these technical skills during the selection process:
- Tree health enquiry exercise.
Salary and Benefits
Alongside your salary of £33,854, Forestry Commission - Forest Research contributes £9,807 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).
Your career
- 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.
Your 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.
- 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.
Your wellbeing
- 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.
Your Benefits
- 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, Experience and Technical skills.
Please apply at Civil Service Jobs - GOV.UK. You will be asked to:
- Complete a CV setting out your career history, highlighting specific responsibilities and achievements that are relevant for this role.
- Submit a Personal Statement (limited to 250 words) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience meet the essential criteria as outlined in the person specification.
- Provide a 250-word statement for the following Behaviour: Working Together.
We will use this information to assess your application against the essential criteria in the person specification.
Shortlist
The panel will select a shortlist of candidates whose applications best demonstrate suitability for the role, by considering the evidence provided against the Essential Criteria set out in the Person Specification. Failure to address any or all of these may affect your application.
Sift & Interview
Sift will take place on 22 October 2026.
Interviews are planned to take place in person week commencing 2nd November 2026 at Northern Research Station, Roslin, EH25 9SY.
At interview, you will be assessed against your experience and the Civil Service behaviours of Working Together, Delivering at Pace, and Managing a Quality Service.
At interview, candidates will be given a Pathology Tree Enquiry containing images and asked to explain how they would identify a potential causal agent. This exercise is designed to assess your approach rather than your existing knowledge. You will be evaluated on your analytical and problem-solving skills, and the methodology you use to work through the task.
If we receive a large volume of applications, then we will sift on CV (Experience) and Lead Behaviour (Working Together). However, candidates will be expected to answer questions on all behaviours listed 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.
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