Research and Science
The role can be based in Alice Holt Research Station, Farnham, Surrey GU10 4LH or in Northern Research Station, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9SY or in Forestry Commission Offices, Bristol, BE16 1EJ with blended working which gives you the option to work some of the week from home, and some of the week from the workplace. You will be asked to express a location preference during the application process.
Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas.
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 postholder will be a member of the Society and Environment Research Group (SERG) within the Centre for Forest Management. Programmes within the Centre focus strongly on interdisciplinary research, using a mix of disciplines within FR to address some of the many complex social and environmental problems facing those concerned with Britain’s trees, woods and forests. The Centre also collaborates widely with universities and other research institutes.
SERG Is a Busy, Dynamic, And Agile Group Involved In a Suite Of Projects That Develop Scientific Understanding And Practical Advice On a Range Of Social, Cultural And Governance Issues Relating To The Use, Engagement And Management Of British Trees And Forests. The Team Currently Comprises Over Twenty Social Scientists. SERG Researchers Focus On Four Broad Thematic Work Areas
- Wellbeing and woodlands
- Land manager behaviours
- Forest disturbance and tree health
- Wildlife management and reintroductions
The group work on several cross-cutting research issues including urban forestry, climate change and society, public engagement with woods, forest and nature, evaluation of behaviour change interventions, and integration of research knowledge into policy and practice.
As well as delivering high quality evidence and applied outputs direct to research commissioners, the group has a strong publishing record in a range of high impact social science, policy related and forestry journals.
Job Description
Members of the group are based at Alice Holt Lodge near Farnham, at the Northern Research Station near Edinburgh, and at the Forestry Commission national office in Bristol. The group is seeking to appoint a Social Scientist with expertise in evaluation to undertake and support the group’s research across a portfolio of projects.
Key Work Areas
- Manage, support and deliver research projects in the group’s portfolio, including contracting and procurement. The majority of these will include evaluation.
- Undertake project team management, including staffing scheduling, and ensure the delivery of milestones and outputs.
- Take on the role of evaluation specialist within the group, keeping up to date with current methods and debates concerning evaluation and impart this knowledge to the rest of the team.
- Take an active role in supporting the management of SERG and other corporate tasks, such as line management of science group staff, or contributing to agency-wide committees and working groups
- Work with members of SERG and other scientists across FR and its partners to develop innovative and interdisciplinary science.
- Develop research approaches, methods and tools with members of project teams, including customers and stakeholders.
- Contribute to the collection of data and evidence using those methods and tools.
- Lead and contribute to the analysis of quantitative and qualitative data.
- Contribute to the interpretation and reporting of research, including technical reports, research summaries, website and scientific publications
- Take an active role in business development activities, working with the FR Business Development team and SERG colleagues to develop and submit proposals for new research projects
Members of the group are based at Alice Holt Lodge near Farnham, at the Northern Research Station near Edinburgh, and at the Forestry Commission national office in Bristol. The group is seeking to appoint a Social Scientist with expertise in evaluation to undertake and support the group’s research across a portfolio of projects.
Key Work Areas
- Manage, support and deliver research projects in the group’s portfolio, including contracting and procurement. The majority of these will include evaluation.
- Undertake project team management, including staffing scheduling, and ensure the delivery of milestones and outputs.
- Take on the role of evaluation specialist within the group, keeping up to date with current methods and debates concerning evaluation and impart this knowledge to the rest of the team.
- Take an active role in supporting the management of SERG and other corporate tasks, such as line management of science group staff, or contributing to agency-wide committees and working groups
- Work with members of SERG and other scientists across FR and its partners to develop innovative and interdisciplinary science.
- Develop research approaches, methods and tools with members of project teams, including customers and stakeholders.
- Contribute to the collection of data and evidence using those methods and tools.
- Lead and contribute to the analysis of quantitative and qualitative data.
- Contribute to the interpretation and reporting of research, including technical reports, research summaries, website and scientific publications
- Take an active role in business development activities, working with the FR Business Development team and SERG colleagues to develop and submit proposals for new research projects
Person specification
Essential Criteria
- Bachelor of Science Degree or Bachelor of Arts degree in social / behavioural and environmental science / or equivalent experience
- Postgraduate qualification with substantial social science content within an environmental setting or equivalent experience
- Track record of leading or making a significant contribution to successful social, including evaluation, research in a professional context, e.g. within a university project, consultancy mission, or analysing and applying evidence with a government agency
- Demonstrable ability and experience in social science evaluation, using approaches (e.g. Qualitative Comparative Analysis, Realist Evaluation or Contribution Analysis) to evaluate and assess outcomes and impacts of interventions, projects, programmes and policies.
- Demonstrable ability and experience in social science using quantitative and qualitative methods, and undertaking field-work and on-line methodologies.
- Demonstrable ability and experience of using IT including data collection packages. This could include survey platforms (e.g. Qualtrix, Survey Monkey), data analysis packages (e.g. R, python, Nvivo, SPSS, Qualitrix), collaboration platforms (e.g. Zoom, Teams), and other research support tools (e.g. Mendeley, EndNote, Powerpoint)
- A high standard of verbal and written communication and experience of knowledge exchange with a range of stakeholders
Desirable Criteria
- A broad understanding, and experience of applying social science theories, including evaluation, and approaches and relating these to forestry and woodland issues
- Knowledge and experience of working with land managers and businesses servicing the woodland and forestry sector
- Knowledge and experience of working with stakeholder organisations and agencies active in the development of strategic approaches to forest and woodland governance and management
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Delivering at Pace
- Making Effective Decisions
- Communicating and Influencing
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
- Delivering at Pace
Alongside your salary of £39,135, Forestry Commission - Forest Research contributes £11,337 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/.
Selection process details
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.
Please apply at 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
- A Personal Statement – (limited to 1000 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.
Applicants invited to attend for interview will be required to prepare a short presentation (5 minutes), summarising evaluation approaches they have used.
Sift 17th June 2025
Interviews are planned to take place on 24th June 2025
If we receive a large volume of applications, then we will sift on Experience/Technical Expertise (CV) and Personal Statement. 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
Role
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:
- Whether the Job role has been identified as being a Critical Role in FR, which has been identified in the Workforce Plan, and / or
- Whether the Job role is a known Capability gap, which has been identified in the Workforce Plan for the relevant Centre, and
- 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.
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.
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.
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.
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).
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).
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
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
Our recruitment process is underpinned by the principle of appointment on the basis of fair and open competition and appointment on merit, as outlined in the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should in the first instance contact FR HR Services by email: hr.services@forestresearch.gov.uk you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission, which regulates all Civil Service recruitment.