Chief Scientist
Forestry Commission - Forest Research
Apply before 11:55 pm on Sunday 23rd February 2025
Details
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Salary
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Business area
Type of role
Science
Senior leadership
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Contents
Location
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 the UK’s leading forest research organisation, with a GB remit, 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.
We’re small enough that individual voices are heard, yet large enough, as part of the Forestry Commission (FC), 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 committed to 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 that promotes agile working to help you manage your work life balance. If you want to be a part of a growing applied research organisation that makes a difference, find out more at Homepage - Forest Research https://www.forestresearch.gov.uk/
FR has gone through a rapid period of growth and now needs to consolidate on this and ensure long term sustainable growth in key areas for forestry. This is a fantastic opportunity for a new Chief Scientist to set a strong direction for the portfolio of research programmes as well as independent challenge to the scope, content and quality of FR's scientific activities.
Job description
Reporting to the Chief Executive Officer, as Chief Scientist, you will lead on all science research across the organisation, including investment plans for science, programmes and specialist resources. You will be a key member of the FR Board with shared accountability for our corporate strategy. In addition, as a member of the Senior Management Team, you will be critical in setting our future direction, ensuring we have the skilled science professionals and facilities we need to deliver, while keeping an eye to the future.
As the Head of Profession for Science across FR, you’ll play a full and active role in the continued professional development of science professionals. You will foster talent development and set a positive example, empowering teams to grow and develop. You will represent FR in senior external forums and committees, confidently engaging with our stakeholders.
The post-holder will;
• Determine the scientific direction and research strategy for FR and help shape the cross-border science and innovation strategy for forestry;
• Ensure income generation opportunities for research are determined and delivered, overseeing the work of FR’s Research Office in implementing a full bid and project pipeline
• Line manage scientific, business development and knowledge exchange staff
• Represent FR in science and sector forums, and liaise with other Departmental and Agency Chief Scientists and the Government Office for Science;
• Take lead responsibility for science quality assurance, research ethics and integrity; the delivery of the main science and innovation core programmes and negotiation of FR’s science capital budget from Defra;
• Anticipate and predict the long term impact of national and international developments and the associated strategic challenges they might pose for UK forestry in order to direct FR’s science offer.
• Encourage FR scientists to participate in international collaborations, including International Union of Forest Research Organizations ( IUFRO) , and contribute to technical advice supporting UK participation in international mechanisms such as ForestEurope.
To be successful in this role you will;
• Be an authentic and credible leader, balancing strategic leadership and operational priorities
• Have strong commercial acumen, be experienced in developing external bids, science or consultancy income streams, and establishing business critical contacts
• Be an excellent scientist with international reputation, and curiosity for the many disciplines drawn upon by FR
• Inspire your staff, and others about our future and our work, with a strong ability to build networks across government, academia and the private sector.
Person specification
Are you an exceptional scientist with a track record as a motivational leader?
Are you someone that can combine scientific credibility and strategic judgement, with strong political antennae?
We are looking for an outstanding leader who will be empowered to deliver a large part of our strategy. We need someone capable of balancing strategic leadership of our science offering and be able to set and oversee operational priorities. You will also need to demonstrate your capability and potential against the following:
Essential Criteria:
• First and higher degrees in a relevant discipline
• International reputation and significant publication record in a relevant area of science (professorial level), with expertise in research management and the ability to translate complex scientific and technical concepts to those less familiar with the subject matter
• An experienced senior leader with the ability to manage, motivate and drive a team to deliver high-level analysis and research projects
• Proven ability in leading and developing an organisational science strategy and linking it to policy priorities
• Excellent stakeholder management skills and the ability to communicate effectively, build rapport, and challenge where necessary, credible both inside and outside the organisation
• Proven commercial acumen, experienced in developing external bids, science or consultancy income streams
• Experience of setting professional standards for science and effectively promoting and communicating science to a variety of audiences
Desirable Criteria:
• A good working knowledge of concepts of research integrity, research ethics and of Quality Assurance issues in line with the Government/Research Council Joint Code of Practice and accreditation requirements under the Chemical Regulations Directive
• Knowledge of research paths and funding streams and eligibility and role of Public Sector Research Establishment Value Framework within the funding landscapes
• Understanding of the forestry and/or land use research scene in UK
• An aptitude for, and commitment to, applied research
The demands of this position are such that frequent travel is essential around the United Kingdom and occasionally overseas.
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 including part-time or term-time working and access to Flexible Working Schemes allowing you to vary your working day as long as you work your total hours.
- 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 1 day 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% 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
- Electric car charging ports are available
- 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
Please apply at Civil Service job search - Civil Service Jobs - GOV.UK, you will be asked to supply:
A CV - setting out your career history, highlighting specific responsibilities and achievements that are relevant for this role, including details of budgets and numbers of people managed, relevant achievements in recent posts, together with reasons for any gaps within the last two years;
A Statement of Suitability – (limited to 1250 words) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the essential criteria in the person specification.
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.
Assessments
If shortlisted, you will be asked to take part in a Staff Engagement Exercise (SEE), a Ministerial Briefing Exercise and an Individual Leadership Assessment (ILA) – the ILA consists of a series of psychometric tests and a follow up interview conducted by an occupational psychologist. The ILA will focus on a defined set of SCS leadership attributes, these will be shared with all shortlisted candidates.
These assessments will not result in a pass or fail decision. Rather, they are designed to support the panel’s decision making and highlight areas for the panel to explore further at interview.
Interview
You will be asked to attend a panel interview in order to have a more in-depth discussion of your previous experience and professional competence in relation to the criteria set out in the Person Specification.
Full details of the assessment and interview process will be provided to shortlisted candidates.
Sift will take place on 3rd March 2025
Interviews will take place in person at Northern Research Station, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9SY on 27th or 28th March 2025.
Diverse perspectives and experiences are critical to our success and we welcome applications from 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.
As part of accepting this role you will be agreeing to the expected assignment duration set out above. This will not result in a contractual change to your terms and conditions. Please note this is an expectation only, it is not something which is written into your terms and conditions or indeed which the employing organisation or you are bound by. It will depend on your personal circumstances at a particular time and business needs, for example, would not preclude any absence like family friendly leave. It is nonetheless an important expectation, which is why we ask you to confirm you agree to the assignment duration set out above.
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
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/success-profiles
