The role can be based in Alice Holt, Farnham, Surrey GU10 4LH or in Northern Research Station, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9SY 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 (FR) 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. 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 group sits within Forest Research’s Centre for Forest Protection and delivers research, advice and surveillance that support the sustainable management of pests and diseases affecting British trees. We conduct applied research to inform evidence-based decision-making, including advising on outbreak investigations, risk modelling, horizon scanning, and testing control measures. Recent work has focused on ash dieback, oak processionary moth, Phytophthora species, and eight-toothed spruce bark beetle, often in close collaboration with government agencies, landowners, and academic partners. Our work plays a key role in supporting Defra’s Tree Health Resilience Strategy, and we regularly contribute to international research initiatives. We are now looking to expand our expertise in forest epidemiology, welcoming candidates with a strong scientific track record and a collaborative mindset who are keen to tackle real-world challenges in biosecurity and tree health.
Job Description
We are looking to employ a new Senior Scientist with a specialism in epidemiological research to play a central role in shaping and delivering a forward-looking epidemiological research programme that informs the protection and resilience of trees in the UK. This post will lead on developing a strategic vision for epidemiology within the Tree Health group, delivering high-impact research that addresses current and emerging threats. Recent studies in this space have focused on modelling the spread of oak processionary moth in urban environments, understanding the landscape epidemiology of ash dieback, and evaluating surveillance approaches for pests such as Phytophthora ramorum and Ips typographus. Building on such work, the role will identify research priorities with practical outcomes, ensuring findings can inform surveillance, contingency planning, and policy development.
The postholder will work closely with entomologists, pathologists, and ecologists to develop interdisciplinary approaches, while also securing internal and external funding to support a diverse research portfolio. They will support the long-term growth of the epidemiology function by co-developing strategy with team leads, accessing new funding streams, and potentially supervising students and early-career researchers. A key part of the role will be engagement with stakeholders in government, forestry bodies, and land management, using co-design principles to align research with real-world needs. The postholder will also advise colleagues on the application of epidemiological principles in outbreak scenarios, experimental design, and surveillance planning, playing a vital advisory role across the wider Tree Health programme.
Key Work Areas:
* Develop and lead a strategic programme of epidemiological research within the Tree Health group, identifying novel and applied research questions. This may include modelling the spread of invasive pests (e.g. Ips typographus) and pathogens (e.g. Phytophthora), evaluating host susceptibility, and exploring environmental drivers of outbreaks.
* Design and deliver interdisciplinary research in collaboration with entomologists, pathologists, and ecologists, fostering integrated approaches to tree health threats. This may include contributing to lab- and field-based studies, risk assessments, and spatial modelling to inform surveillance and management strategies.
* Secure external and internal research funding, including from UKRI, Defra, and international sources, to support a diverse portfolio of work. Manage projects to successful completion, meeting defined deliverables, and ensuring outputs are accessible and impactful.
* Contribute to a long-term strategic vision for epidemiological research in Tree Health, co-developing goals with senior colleagues. This includes identifying emerging risks, supporting recruitment, and supervising postgraduate students or early-career researchers.
* Co-design research with stakeholders, including policymakers, government agencies, landowners and NGOs, ensuring relevance, usability and uptake of findings.
* Advise on epidemiological methods and applications across Forest Research, Defra or other governmental bodies as required, including experimental design, outbreak management, risk mapping, and contingency planning. Provide technical guidance to improve the quality and relevance of research outputs.
* Lead or contribute to national and international networks, representing the organisation’s expertise in tree health epidemiology.
* Disseminate research outcomes through scientific and non-technical channels, producing peer-reviewed publications, reports, stakeholder briefings, and media outputs.
We are looking to employ a new Senior Scientist with a specialism in epidemiological research to play a central role in shaping and delivering a forward-looking epidemiological research programme that informs the protection and resilience of trees in the UK. This post will lead on developing a strategic vision for epidemiology within the Tree Health group, delivering high-impact research that addresses current and emerging threats. Recent studies in this space have focused on modelling the spread of oak processionary moth in urban environments, understanding the landscape epidemiology of ash dieback, and evaluating surveillance approaches for pests such as Phytophthora ramorum and Ips typographus. Building on such work, the role will identify research priorities with practical outcomes, ensuring findings can inform surveillance, contingency planning, and policy development.
The postholder will work closely with entomologists, pathologists, and ecologists to develop interdisciplinary approaches, while also securing internal and external funding to support a diverse research portfolio. They will support the long-term growth of the epidemiology function by co-developing strategy with team leads, accessing new funding streams, and potentially supervising students and early-career researchers. A key part of the role will be engagement with stakeholders in government, forestry bodies, and land management, using co-design principles to align research with real-world needs. The postholder will also advise colleagues on the application of epidemiological principles in outbreak scenarios, experimental design, and surveillance planning, playing a vital advisory role across the wider Tree Health programme.
Key Work Areas:
* Develop and lead a strategic programme of epidemiological research within the Tree Health group, identifying novel and applied research questions. This may include modelling the spread of invasive pests (e.g. Ips typographus) and pathogens (e.g. Phytophthora), evaluating host susceptibility, and exploring environmental drivers of outbreaks.
* Design and deliver interdisciplinary research in collaboration with entomologists, pathologists, and ecologists, fostering integrated approaches to tree health threats. This may include contributing to lab- and field-based studies, risk assessments, and spatial modelling to inform surveillance and management strategies.
* Secure external and internal research funding, including from UKRI, Defra, and international sources, to support a diverse portfolio of work. Manage projects to successful completion, meeting defined deliverables, and ensuring outputs are accessible and impactful.
* Contribute to a long-term strategic vision for epidemiological research in Tree Health, co-developing goals with senior colleagues. This includes identifying emerging risks, supporting recruitment, and supervising postgraduate students or early-career researchers.
* Co-design research with stakeholders, including policymakers, government agencies, landowners and NGOs, ensuring relevance, usability and uptake of findings.
* Advise on epidemiological methods and applications across Forest Research, Defra or other governmental bodies as required, including experimental design, outbreak management, risk mapping, and contingency planning. Provide technical guidance to improve the quality and relevance of research outputs.
* Lead or contribute to national and international networks, representing the organisation’s expertise in tree health epidemiology.
* Disseminate research outcomes through scientific and non-technical channels, producing peer-reviewed publications, reports, stakeholder briefings, and media outputs.
Person specification
Essential Criteria:
* A PhD or equivalent qualification, or equivalent research experience, in epidemiology, entomology, pathology, ecology, or a related discipline
* A well-developed research specialism in epidemiology as evidenced by published papers in scientific journals
* Strong track record of disseminating complex information to and engaging with stakeholders at all levels (e.g. governmental, landowners, general public)
* Strong evidence of having contributed significantly to successful research projects with a minimum value of £25,000 each
* Strong evidence of having contributed to the professional development of junior staff, either through line management, post-graduate supervision or other means
* Experience of project management
* Electronic data management through use of spreadsheets and competent user of MS Office
Desirable Criteria:
* Experience of influencing government policy
* Experience of budget management
Behaviours
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
* Seeing the Big Picture
* Changing and Improving
* Leadership
* Communicating and Influencing
We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:
* Seeing the Big Picture
* Communicating and Influencing
Alongside your salary of £47,252, Forestry Commission - Forest Research contributes £13,688 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 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 8th July 2025
Interviews are planned to take place on 24th July 2025
Applicants invited to attend for interview will be required to prepare a 5 minute presentation to us on the topic “How would you use your skills as an Epidemiologist to influence Plant Health research and surveillance at Forest Research?”
If we receive a large volume of applications, then we will sift on CV and the lead behaviour, Seeing the Big Picture. 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. #J-18808-Ljbffr