Scientist - Pathology

The role will be based in Alice Holt, Farnham, Surrey GU10 4LH. 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 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 species) and surveillance for regulated non-quarantine and quarantine pathogens. The team has a strong link to the forestry industry and 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 apply a range of molecular methods for diagnosis and research into key plant pathogens . The candidate is expected to have a keen interest in plant pathology from the field to the lab, and from research to field applications. The candidate must also be a proactive team player, who can work closely with colleagues and provide support as needed. . 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, give verbal presentations to fellow scientists and reach out to non-specialist audiences. 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-based 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
• Working with a range of molecular methods for diagnostics and research, including PCR-based methods and next generation sequencing for monitoring and epidemiology
• Analysing data and interpreting results ensuring valid statistical rigour for publication
• Presenting results to senior colleagues (written and verbal forms) and engaging with knowledge-exchange activities
• Contributing to maintenance of internationally important culture collections
• Manufacturing a forestry bio-control agent and liaising with stakeholders
• 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 drive around the UK and stay overnight away from home for short periods a few times a year.

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 apply a range of molecular methods for diagnosis and research into key plant pathogens . The candidate is expected to have a keen interest in plant pathology from the field to the lab, and from research to field applications. The candidate must also be a proactive team player, who can work closely with colleagues and provide support as needed. . 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, give verbal presentations to fellow scientists and reach out to non-specialist audiences. 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-based 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
• Working with a range of molecular methods for diagnostics and research, including PCR-based methods and next generation sequencing for monitoring and epidemiology
• Analysing data and interpreting results ensuring valid statistical rigour for publication
• Presenting results to senior colleagues (written and verbal forms) and engaging with knowledge-exchange activities
• Contributing to maintenance of internationally important culture collections
• Manufacturing a forestry bio-control agent and liaising with stakeholders
• 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 drive around the UK and stay overnight away from home for short periods a few times a year.

Person specification

Essential Criteria:

• Degree in Plant/Forest Pathology or Biological/Environmental Sciences
• Experience of working with plant diseases
• Molecular experience including DNA extraction, real time-PCR, next generation sequencing, molecular identification of isolates and phylogeny
• 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 UK Driving Licence is required for this post due to the remote location of the field sites.

Desirable Criteria:

• Experience of eDNA sampling devices and methods
• Experience with eDNA lab techniques and analysis methods
• Experience in plant pathology and fungal ecology experimental design
• 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:

• Seeing the Big Picture
• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together

Alongside your salary of £32,089, Forestry Commission - Forest Research contributes £9,296 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 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/.

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 500 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.

Sift will take place 2 May 2025

Interviews will be held in person at Alice Holt in week commencing 12 May 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, - How have you overcome a problem experienced during a particular piece of field or lab-based experimental work, explaining the work’s relevance to your stakeholders

If we receive a large volume of applications, then we will sift on Experience/Technical Expertise and the 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

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.