Research Assistant Farnham, South East England, England
Job description
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About the job
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Location
About the job
Job summary
Want to work at the cutting edge of environmental science? Passionate about making a difference and playing your part in tackling the climate and nature crisis? Forest Research is all about giving top quality evidence and advice to policymakers and practitioners to make a positive impact on the ground. Internationally recognised, we need people who have the skills and passion to work on excellent science and provide practical solutions for nature.
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 planet. And you will find us a flexible and inclusive employer, so you can have a work life balance that is tailor-made to your circumstances. So whether it’s climate or carbon, pests or pathogens, behaviour or biodiversity that interests you, you can be assured of a warm welcome to the team. To find out more, visit forestresearch.gov.uk.
Forest Research is seeking to appoint a Research Assistant on a permanent basis to work at the new containment facilities located at Alice Holt. The investment in buildings and staff is part of Forest Research’s vision to become the UK’s national reference laboratory for tree pests and pathogens. The activities carried out at these facilities will be the forefront of science and evidence providing expertise to enable decisions on tree and forest policy and practices and providing the reassurance and advice that customers deserve and require.
This position will be part of the Tree Health Team at Forest Research. The role will encompass supporting laboratory activities for pathology and entomology in the containment facilities or main Forest Research laboratories. The job will include logging of the incoming samples, preparation of materials, agar media preparation, routine maintenance and running of equipment, oversee service contracts, accurate record keeping, and ensure the good running of the laboratories. This role requires awareness of ISO 17025:2017 accreditation and will support wider activities of the Tree Health including professional duties and Quality Assurance.
Job description
The successful candidate’s key work areas will be:
- Ensuring the good running order of the laboratories in the new containment facilities
- Assisting and supporting laboratory activities and staff in the new containment facilities
- Support activities needed to achieve and maintain accreditation ISO17025:2017 under the supervision of senior members of staff
- Support Quality Assurance procedures within Tree Health, and contribute to the writing of Standard Operating Procedures, Risk and COSHH assessments
- Contributing to the wider activities of the Tree Health research group including the fulfilment of professional duties
- Maintain materials and resources needed for testing activities in the laboratory
- Maintain equipment and stocks in good running order
- Support and help with the logging in and preparation of samples to be tested
- Support and contribute to the maintenance and calibration of equipment
- Help to maintain the culture collection.Assisting with paperwork such as COSHH, risk assessments, and accreditation documentation
Person specification
Essential Criteria
- Bachelor of Science degree in the area of plant biological sciences, forestry or microbiology, or equivalent experience
- Skills in good laboratory practice.
- Demonstrated practical experience in a diagnostic or research environment.
- Experience with technical laboratory tasks such as making stock solutions, media preparation, and waste sterilisation and disposal
- Good standard of verbal and written communication.
- Competent IT user with experience of MS Office packages.
Desirable Criteria
- Knowledge of plant pests and diseases
- Knowledge of basic techniques used in mycology, bacteriology or identification of pests including culturing or preservation of specimens.
- Experience of working on an ISO17025:2017 accredited laboratory.
- Experience of working in a containment laboratory
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Working Together
- Managing a Quality Service
- Delivering at Pace
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
- Working Together
Benefits
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 per year, rising to 30 days after 5 years (pro-rata for part-timers). Plus 2.5 days of additional leave and 8 days’ paid bank/public holidays
Your wellbeing
- Wellbeing support and staff networks and including Mental Health First Aiders, Rainbow Canopy (LGBTQ+) and an Employee Assistance Programme
- 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 are up to 26% 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.
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
Sift Date: 23/24 February 2023*
Interview Date: 2/3 March 2023*
- May be subject to change
If a large volume of applications is received, then we will sift on Experience/Technical Expertise and the Lead Behaviour Working Together. 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 you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
This job is broadly open to the following groups:
- UK nationals
- nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
- nationals of the Republic of Ireland
- nationals from the EU, EEA or Switzerland with settled or pre-settled status or who apply for either status by the deadline of the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
- relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals working in the Civil Service
- relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals who have built up the right to work in the Civil Service
- certain family members of the relevant EU, EEA, Swiss or Turkish nationals
Working for the Civil Service
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).
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