Scientist - Pathology
Forestry Commission - Forest Research
Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 5th January 2025
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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 www.forestresearch.gov.uk
The Tree Health research group’s role is to sustain the forestry and tree sector in Britain through:
- Provision of rapid diagnosis of tree health problems.
- Undertaking research on pests and pathogens threatening British trees to inform government policy, management, and future proofing.
The work for this role, involves field and laboratory-based investigations of fungal diseases of forest trees.
The Dothistroma team conducts research on the management of diseases of commercial forest crops. Current projects include investigating management options for two established fungal pathogens (Dothistroma septosporum and Heterobasidion annosum) and surveillance for regulated non-quarantine and quarantine pathogens. The team also produces PG Suspension, the only commercially available bio-control agent currently used in British forestry.
Job description
We are seeking to appoint a permanent Plant Pathology scientist based at Alice Holt. The candidate will be expected to carry out field work in remote locations and perform molecular diagnosis of key plant pathogens with support and guidance from Pathology Department staff. The candidate must be a team player, who can work closely with colleagues and provide support as needed. The candidate must be resilient, motivated and enthusiastic. They should be able to build on existing data through guided experimental planning and execution, data collection, and analysis. They are expected to produce written reports, contribute to scientific publications, and give verbal presentations to fellow scientists and non-specialists. They will need experience of good laboratory practice and an understanding of COSHH regulations and Health and Safety at Work regulations.
Key Work Areas:
- Contributing to delivery of laboratory and field research on significant fungal forestry pathogens, monitoring fungal colonisation, tree growth, and efficacy of plant protection products
- Recording and displaying data in an organised and effective manner
- Contributing to national surveillance of forests and tree nurseries for significant pathogens
- Delivering molecular diagnostic services using PCR
- Presenting results to senior colleagues (written and verbal forms)
- Helping maintain internationally important culture collections
- Manufacturing a forestry bio-control agent
- Participating in knowledge exchange by presenting results
- Interpreting results ensuring valid statistical rigour for publication
- Being an active member of the wider Tree Health team, contributing to laboratory maintenance, and adhering to health & safety requirements.
The post holder must be prepared to stay overnight away from home for short periods a few times a year.
Person specification
Essential Criteria:
- Degree in Plant/Forest Pathology, Biological/Environmental Sciences or Forestry
- Experience of working with plant diseases or invertebrate pests
- Molecular experience including DNA extraction, q-PCR, interpreting DNA sequences
- Good verbal and written communication with experience in interpreting data, presenting research and study results
- Experience of establishing and/or collecting data from field experiments
- Evidence of good laboratory practice & adherence to H&S legislation
- Competent IT user with experience of MS Office packages.
- A full Driving Licence is essential for this post due to the remote location of the field sites.
Desirable Criteria:
- Experience of using GIS software
- Use of microscopy to examine field samples and fungal cultures
- Experience of using aseptic techniques, isolation, and storage of cultures
- Experience of understanding statistical analyses so that results can be incorporated in reports.
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Changing and Improving
- Making Effective Decisions
- 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 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 trail 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% 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 will take place week commencing 6th January 2025.
Interviews will be held in person week commencing 13th January 2025.
Applicants invited to interview will be required to prepare a short presentation (5-6 Powerpoint slides or equivalent visual aids) of not more than 7 minutes duration, demonstrating how you have overcome a problem experienced during a particular piece of field or lab-based experimental work.
If we receive a large volume of applications, then we will sift on Experience/Technical Expertise and the Lead Behaviour, Making Effective Decisions. 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.
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.
Visa Sponsorship
FR holds a licence to sponsor Skilled Workers under the Home Office points-based immigration system. Candidates wishing to apply should note that the likelihood of obtaining sponsorship would depend on an assessment of this role against defined criteria, which include:
o Whether the Job role has been identified as being a Critical Role in FR, which has been identified in the Workforce Plan, and / or
o Whether the Job role is a known Capability gap, which has been identified in the Workforce Plan for the relevant Centre, and
o Evidence of significant recruitment challenges in filling the Job role previously.
Skilled Worker sponsorship may be available, subject to an application and assessment process and the Home Office points-based system.
For further details, please refer to the Sponsorship for Skilled Workers – guidance for applicants and managers on our website.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
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).
Diversity and Inclusion
Apply and further information
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
