Research Assistant

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 post holder will work across the Climate Change Research Group (CCRG) and the Physical Environment Science Group (PESG) at Forest Research. These two groups work closely together.
CCRG works to improve understanding of forest function including: (i) the impact of climate change on forests and forestry, (ii) what role forestry can have in mitigating greenhouse gas emissions and climate change, and (iii) how forestry practice 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.
PESG undertakes work to understand the complex interactions between forests and forest management practices and their physical and historic environment. The Soil Sustainability Research Team sits in the PESG and undertakes research to ensure that forest practices do not compromise soil physical, chemical and biological sustainability. The PESG also manage long-term, intensive forest monitoring sites, focused on understanding the impacts of air pollution on forest ecosystems, contributing to wider national and international networks., We are looking to recruit a Research Assistant to work across the Climate Change and Physical Environmental Science Research Groups at Forest Research. This role will support a range of projects aimed at furthering our understanding of the effects of climate and environmental change on the health and functioning of trees and forests across Great Britain. There will be varied tasks in the field, lab and office, supporting the work of scientists across these groups, and opportunities to engage with other projects across Forest Research.
The Research Assistant will support several long-term environmental monitoring projects, including the Environmental Change Network, the ICP Forests Level II network and the Alice Holt Carbon Dioxide Flux Monitoring Station. The successful applicant will become familiar with the effects of air pollution, climate change and disease on forest ecosystem functioning whilst supporting the collection of data that feeds into annual reports on the state of forests in the UK and Europe.
There will be opportunities for learning and development as new protocols are developed in the team for using cutting-edge environmental monitoring technology, such as acoustic monitoring. The post-holder will also benefit from hands-on training on more established environmental monitoring technologies such as data loggers, meteorological sensors, and greenhouse gas analysers.
Key Work Areas:
The successful applicant will be required to:
1. Carry out and assist with fieldwork, following training in standard procedures and guidelines to; measure soil greenhouse gas fluxes, assist with the maintenance of above-canopy micrometeorological instrumentation, and make tree mensuration measurements.
2. Carry out the collection and preparation of soil, foliar, and root samples for chemical analysis, with a high attention to detail.
3. Assist with the calibration of sensors and the set-up of new monitoring equipment ready for deployment in the field. Assist with data download from ongoing field monitoring sites.
4. Maintain equipment in good working order and ensure inventories are up to date.
5. Assist with the writing of new standard operating procedures and risk assessments.
6. Store and share data appropriately to facilitate collaboration.
7. Assist in maintaining contact with external stakeholders (e.g. landowners) and contribute to technical discussions with managers., We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
+ Changing and Improving
+ Working Together
+ Delivering at Pace, If we receive a large volume of applications, 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 listed at the interview stage.
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.
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
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).
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+ Honours degree with substantial content of ecology; environmental science; forest science; physical or biological sciences or equivalent significant experience
+ Experience of working outdoors in all weathers
+ Evidence of good communication skills, both verbal and written
+ Good organisational ability and able to work to tight deadlines
+ Competent user of MS Office.
Desirable Criteria:
+ Experience in forest science, forest ecology
+ Experience of carrying out field work following survey protocols
+ Skills in one or all of the following: plant, bat, bird or invertebrate identification
+ Experience of practical work using hand tools e.g. drills
+ Experience of analysing data using a statistical programming language e.g. R or Python.

Alongside your salary of £27,941, Forestry Commission - Forest Research contributes £8,094 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 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/.