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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.

The Climate Change Research Group works to improve understanding of: the impact of climate change on forests and forestry; what role forestry can have in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and climate change; and how forestry can adapt to reduce the impact of climate change and to benefit from any opportunities. The research is across the spectrum from more fundamental measurements, through developing methods and tools, undertaking practical action and demonstration, and providing advice and evidence to underpin policy. We have many external collaborations in the UK and Europe.

The postholder will develop climate change adaptation research and resources for the forestry sector. The role will involve forest modelling (using R), project management and co-ordination, engagement with a broad range of stakeholders, and wider climate change adaptation related work, report writing for a range of projects, ranging in scale and duration.

The post holder will use their skills to project manage and deliver internal and external contracts with modelling to underpin climate change management and integration with UKCP18 data. Drafting written work (reports, fact sheets/ case studies, KE material/ web content) to high standards with attention to detail, the post holder will aspire to grow their expertise to the point at which they can confidently liaise at the interface between science/ policy / practice and ultimately produce business-critical outputs for FR, including sector guidance, case studies, web content and reports. The post holder will work alongside other FR staff and will collaborate with external organisations on a range of projects, e.g., Forestry and Land Scotland staff in the delivery of an EU Horizon 2020 project on forest restoration.

The new post-holder will be expected to:

• Support and develop CCRG research for Science and Innovation Strategy (SIS) programmes on climate change adaptation, including modelling, simulation and reporting of management and risk scenarios;
• Contribute to an EU Horizon2020 forest restoration project, involving stakeholder interaction through workshops and interviews, liaison with project partners, development of upscaling activities (around Queen Elizabeth Forest Park, near Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park), contributing to decisions and monitoring/reporting of forest restoration sites, and reporting to project partners (2023-2025);
• Contribute to a Nature for Climate Fund (NCF) research project looking at future climate change risks for woodland creation on challenging Vacant and Derelict Land sites;
• Contribute to knowledge and natural science evidence synthesis reframed for policy, administration, and regulation of agroforestry systems for the NCF funded “Expanding Agroforestry” project (2022-2024);
• Contribute ideas, written reviews and knowledge exchange including collation and distillation of climate change research and information and presentation through a range of media, potentially contributing to the (NCF funded) FR Climate Change Hub;
• Seek opportunities, and contribute to CCRG bids, for external income related to climate change adaptation research and KE in England, Scotland, and Wales;
• Remain flexible and open to ad hoc wider project support as required;
• Undertake occasional travel and overnight stays away from home.

Essential Criteria

• Significant experience in scientific, management and negotiation experience appropriate for carrying out and developing a complex research project
• Well-developed scientific report writing and presentation skills
• An MSc or PhD in forest science, or in a related biological, environmental science, or land-use management discipline or equivalent experience
• IT skills, including familiarity with Microsoft Desktop Packages and software
• Knowledge and experience of working with the forestry (or related land management) sector and climate change output modelling
• Strong project management knowledge, skills and experience
• Experience of producing research information in a variety of formats, tailoring content to user needs and complying with required standards, quality assurance experience and information management skills.
• Experience working and engaging with a broad range of stakeholders.

Desirable Criteria

• Knowledge and experience of the forestry or related land management sector
• Expertise in climate impacts or risk modelling
• Familiarity with forest management, planning and silviculture
• Expertise in GIS
• Experience of research in forest climate change adaptation, forest modelling, or forest risk management
• Strong organisational, interpersonal and communication skills
• Experience in developing new funding streams for research
  Experience of knowledge exchange and an appetite to develop an awareness of FR partnership, collaborations, customers and users

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Making Effective Decisions
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Communicating and Influencing
• Working Together

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/.

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