Laboratory Technician

Job summary

Part of the Forestry Commission family, Forest Research (FR) is a world leader in applied forest science, providing evidence and practical solutions to policy makers, forestry professionals, land managers and anyone with green space, across Great Britain. With climate and biodiversity in crisis, and an increasing number of pests and diseases, our research is more vital than ever before. We advise on how woodlands can help combat climate change. We’re identifying tree species that will thrive in the future and seeking ways to safeguard those species at risk. Our research supports UK timber production because fewer imports reduce carbon emissions. We provide robust data on forests in Scotland, Wales and England, and provide evidence of the societal benefits of woodland. We do all this utilising the latest technology while working collaboratively with academia, partners and industry, nationally and internationally.

Forest Research is seeking a motivated and enthusiastic Laboratory Technician to join the Tree Health Team within the Centre for Forest Protection at our Alice Holt Research Station.

This three-year fixed-term position will support a range of laboratory activities associated with tree health diagnostics and research, working across both the main laboratories and specialist containment facilities. The successful candidate will provide technical support for pathology and entomology projects, assisting with sample processing, laboratory procedures, maintenance of equipment, and implementation of biosecurity and health and safety protocols.

Job description

The postholder will provide essential technical support to the Tree Health Team and will undertake a wide range of laboratory duties.

Key Work Areas

The successful candidate will be:

• Managing laboratory waste and ensuring its safe and compliant disposal.
• Supporting the maintenance, servicing, and calibration of laboratory equipment.
• Maintaining high standards of laboratory housekeeping, including cleaning and organising laboratory areas, refrigerators, incubators, and defrosting freezers as required.
• Collecting and distributing deliveries across the Alice Holt site.
• Monitoring and replenishing laboratory consumables and stock levels.
• Labelling reagents and chemicals and ensuring their safe storage in accordance with laboratory procedures.
• Supervising contractors and service engineers during maintenance and inspection visits.
• Assisting with the receipt, logging, and preparation of samples for testing and analysis.
• Contributing to the preparation and review of COSHH assessments, risk assessments, and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Assisting in the preparation of culture media and other laboratory reagents.
• Supporting the day-to-day operation of both the main laboratories and containment facilities, ensuring compliance with biosecurity, health and safety, and quality standards.
• Working collaboratively with researchers and technical staff to support pathology and entomology projects focused on tree health.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

• Bachelor of Science degree in the area of plant biological sciences, forestry or microbiology, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Demonstrated practical experience in a diagnostic or research environment.
• Experience with technical laboratory tasks such as making stock solutions, media preparation, and waste sterilisation and disposal.
• Good standard of verbal and written communication.
• Competent IT user with experience of MS office packages.

Desirable Criteria

The below criteria are desirable only. These will not be assessed throughout the recruitment process but will be used in the event of tied scores between candidates.

• Knowledge of plant pests and diseases.
• Knowledge of basic techniques used in mycology, bacteriology or identification of pests including culturing or preservation of specimens.
• Experience of working in a containment laboratory.

Behaviours

We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Working Together
• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Working Together

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £30,105, Forestry Commission - Forest Research contributes

£8,721 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.

Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

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% of 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/.

Things you need to know

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

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:

• Complete a CV setting out your career history, highlighting specific responsibilities and achievements that are relevant for this role
• Submit a Personal Statement (limited to 500 words) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience meet the essential criteria as outlined in the person specification
• Provide a 250-word statement for the following Behaviour: Working Together.

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 & Interview

Sift will take place week commencing 26 October 2026.

Interviews are planned to take place in person week commencing 9 November 2026 at Alice Holt Lodge, Farnham, Surrey, GU10 4LH.

At the Interview stage, you will be assessed on your experience and the 3 following behaviours: Working Together, Making Effective Decision, and Delivering at Pace.

If we receive a large volume of applications, then we will sift on CV (Experience) and Lead Behaviour (Working Together). 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.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) 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

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