Contents Location About the job Benefits Things you need to know Apply and further information Location The role will be based at Northern Research Station, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9SY. This post is site based including field work. There may be some flexibility for occasional home working. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas. 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. Were 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 Timber and wood products sourced from sustainably managed forests have a key role to play in the move to a low carbon economy, and increasing global demand for wood highlights the importance of making the UKs domestic forest resource. The Tree and Wood Properties research programme is focused on improving our understanding of how forest management, environmental factors, and genetics factors affect the tree growth and wood properties of productive forests in the UK. Our research advances our scientific understanding of wood produced in the UK, and informs forest practitioners and policymakers on how to manage our productive forests to ensure a quality wood supply in a changing climate. Job description As part of the Silviculture and Wood Properties science group we collaborate with Forest Research groups, stakeholders from the forest industry, and UK and international research and academic partners. Active areas of research include characterising the timber properties of emerging species in the UK, developing faster methods to measure wood properties, modelling the impact of climate change on tree and timber properties and understanding the impacts and risks posed by a changing climate to our wood resources. The post will be based on site at Forest Research Northern Research Station with our wood and timber research facilities, and involves a mixture of desk, workshop, and laboratory activities, alongside outdoors activities and intermittent field work across the UK. The role focuses on providing technical and scientific expertise alongside operational management to ensure high quality data acquisition throughout our experimental wood research. This includes testing in forests, wood processing and timber testing in the lab. Our research methods range from forest mensuration, acoustic timber measurements and LIDAR scans of forest plots through-to working with harvested timber, and X-ray scanning and mechanical strength tests of small wood samples. The post-holder will manage the facilities and experimental activities associated with our wood testing and processing operations, including the wood research workshop, sawmill and small wood testing lab. Responsibilities include coordinating our research facilities, supervising/line managing research technicians and ensuring safety and quality standards. The post-holder will play a key role in applying the teams experimental methods and operational activities within the Tree and Wood Properties research program. This involves conducting wood properties assessments, data processing using novel and established techniques, computer analysis, data presentation, and reporting. Their activities will support the development and quality assurance of our experimental timber research, with scope to develop specific areas of interest and research projects that align with the teams objectives. Person specification Key Work Areas: Coordinating experimental activities: Supervise and undertake experimental research operations on tree and wood properties of softwood and hardwood species growing in the UK, liaising with teammates, customers and stakeholders as needed, to deliver agreed outputs Actively maintain and develop the scientific and experimental methods we use to assess wood properties in a range of contexts Coordinate practical and scientific activities of the programme, within the workshop, lab, and forest to deliver quality data sets Manage and oversee the wood processing and wood testing facilities run by the team Manage the maintenance, procedures, set-up, calibration and troubleshooting of the teams scientific and general equipment Manage and maintain Health and Safety and Quality Assurance protocols and standards connected to various team work-spaces and activities, supporting and ensuring colleagues conform with the processes Develop effective contacts with a wide range of technical services, potential collaborators and stakeholders, including industry, international researchers and relevant university departments Delivering quality research and data: Consolidate data sets and conduct data quality checks and process large data sets, summarising results for scientific and non-technical audiences Contribute to research outputs and communication of results of research through effective knowledge exchange, (likely to include trade and scientific publications, internal reports and presentations) Support colleagues and work packages from other science groups with wood research skills Essential Criteria: Degree or equivalent qualifications and experience in forestry, wood science, or engineering Experience managing operational workspaces or activities in forestry, wood processing, engineering, or similar Experience of managing colleagues to deliver agreed programmes of work, including responsibility for relevant Health & Safety and Quality Assurance Experience in the advanced use of R, Microsoft Excel, or comparable data processing software to collate, summarise and analyse information Excellent teamwork and communication skills e.g. with colleagues, staff, and collaborators 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: Interest in and knowledge of the UKs forestry and wood-using industries Research or scientific experience in forestry, wood products, materials science, engineering, or similar Experience of using or managing woodwork machinery Experience of delivering field or lab-based research projects in forestry, timber or wood science Knowledge and understanding of the influence of stand and site factors on wood and timber properties Experience of applying statistics to wood properties datasets Membership of a relevant professional body Behaviours We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process: Managing a Quality Service Delivering at Pace Working Together Benefits Alongside your salary of £29,863, Forestry Commission - Forest Research contributes £8,651 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides. 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 where employer contributions starting at 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 theres 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. 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/. 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: 8th - 9th January 2025 Interviews will take place in the week commencing 20th January 2025 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 youre 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. Diversity and Inclusion The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window). Apply and further information This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative. The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window). Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records. Contact point for applicants Job contact : Name : hr.servicesforestresearch.gov.uk Email : hr.servicesforestresearch.gov.uk Recruitment team Email : hr.servicesforestresearch.gov.uk Further information Our recruitment process is underpinned by the principle of appointment on the basis of fair and open competition and appointment on merit, as outlined in the Civil Service Commissioners Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should in the first instance contact FR HR Services by email: hr.servicesforestresearch.gov.uk you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission, which regulates all Civil Service recruitment. Attachments CS_Behaviours_2018 Opens in new window (pdf, 1043kB) Share this page Print Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn GMail