This role can be based in the Northern Research Station, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9SY or in Alice Holt Lodge, Farnham GU10 4LH . We support 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 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;
To be successful in this role you will;
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;
To be successful in this role you will;
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?
Essential Criteria
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:
Desirable Criteria
The demands of this position are such that frequent travel is essential around the United Kingdom and occasionally overseas.
Alongside your salary of £85,000, Forestry Commission - Forest Research contributes £24,624 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.
Your career
Your work/life balance
Your wellbeing
Your Benefits
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
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
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:
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 role has a minimum assignment duration of 3 years. An assignment duration is the period of time a Senior Civil Servant is expected to remain in the same post to enable them to deliver on the agreed key business outcomes. The assignment duration also supports your career through building your depth of expertise.
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
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
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
Recruitment team
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.
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/success-profiles