Field Research Officers x2

Job summary

Part of the Forestry Commission family, Forest Research is a world leader in applied forest science, providing evidence and practical solutions to policy makers, forestry practitioners, land managers and anyone with green space, UK-wide. 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 ways of safeguarding those species at risk. Our research supports UK timber production because fewer imports reduce carbon emissions. We provide data on forests in Scotland, Wales and England, and provide evidence of the societal benefits of woodland. We do all this working collaboratively with academia, partners and industry, nationally and internationally.

The Centre for Inventory, Forecasting and Operational Support (IFOS) at Forest Research have been involved in mapping and field data collection solutions for over 20 years. IFOS provides practical software and data solutions to help our customers manage information about their woodland resource in a pragmatic and integrated way. We also provide information, evidence and official statistics on the woodland resource in GB. We do this by blending GIS, Data Science, Statistics, Mapping and Forestry skills providing analysis, modelling and data processing solutions to answer the questions and queries posed to us.

Job description

Field Data Services provide reliable, timely and high-quality field data services to support scientific evidence and sustainable tree, wood and forest management. We deliver this through a resilient network of highly trained professional staff and associates. Our services include, but are not limited to, field data collection, sample collection, field experiment maintenance, field QA, plant supply, training and advice, drone operations and terrestrial laser scanning. Staff are located throughout England, Scotland, and Wales and offer a GB-wide service.

The Field Research Officers will be part of the field team. We have two roles: one based at Newton near Elgin, and the other at Bush Estate near Roslin . You will work closely with the Field Station Manager to support and manage business processes to allow the field teams to deliver their work on the ground. You will ensure that safety is maintained, a quality service is delivered, and the allocated budget is closely managed, in line with policies and procedures. You will work closely with colleagues to deliver our full experimental and survey programme.

As well as being called on to carry out monitoring and quality assurance activities within the team and contractors, you will also work closely with the wider business to support and promote strategic objectives. The job involves working with partners both internal and external to FR across a wide geographical area and so will require flexibility in terms of staying away overnight and working day pattern. The role will comprise a mixture of desk and field-based activities, with the expectation that you will work alongside Research Workers to deliver experimental projects set up in the field as well as desk-based activities.

Key Work Areas

Working with People:

• Provide leadership and management of a team of Research Workers providing effective motivation, support and forward job planning
• Coach, mentor and develop team members
• Act as local coordinator for work programme, working with Field Data Services Managers to develop and maintain lines of communication with scientists, project leads and other customers
• Develop and maintain good working relationships to ensure effective communication with colleagues and stakeholders including landowners and contractors
• Monitor and ensure that high standards of health, safety & wellbeing are implemented and maintained both within the team and by contractors, ensuring compliance with relevant legislation and guidance
• Assist with the procurement and delivery of contract work / services where required to support delivery of the allocated work programme

Quality Assurance and Delivering the Work Programme:

• Carry out regular quality assurance on field work, processes and data
• Responsible for ensuring local field station is fully compliant with Forest Research’s health and safety, quality assurance (QA), ISO14001 environmental management standards, and other applicable legislation
• Liaise with the Field Data Services Managers to ensure accurate monitoring and reporting of the allocated work programme
• Take responsibility for the management of projects
• Manage allocated budgets and deliver best value for money
• Lead in experiment establishment, surveys, maintenance and assessment/data collection for the allocated work programme

Use of resources:

• Ensure effective use of and maintenance of equipment
• Procure goods and services in line with Forest Research guidance
• Identify opportunities to increase our value for money and increase income
• Assist in the development and improvement of protocols and procedures and the use of technology

Person specification

Essential Criteria:

• Degree or equivalent qualification/experience in Forestry, Environmental Science or other related discipline or demonstrable equivalent experience
• Experience of planning and managing forest maintenance and management, including a good understanding of health and safety requirements
• Demonstrable ability to plan and prioritise work, make decisions and problem solve
• Good understanding of contract management principles
• Experience of leading a team and providing support to staff
• Strong interpersonal skills and experience of team working
• Good written and verbal communication skills
• Competent IT user with experience of the Microsoft Office suite

Please note that this role involves working across a wide geographical area, regularly staying away overnight and altering working day pattern.

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.

• Understanding of budgetary control and reporting
• Proven ability to manage competing demands and prioritise workloads
• Some experience in Project Management
• Some experience in the use of GIS
• Customer liaison experience
• Either hold, or be working towards professional membership of the Institute of Chartered Foresters
• Experience working within research experiments

Behaviours

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

• Delivering at Pace
• Managing a Quality Service
• Working Together

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

• Delivering at Pace

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £33,854, Forestry Commission - Forest Research contributes

£9,807 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 required to:

• Complete a CV setting out your career history, highlighting specific responsibilities and achievements that are relevant for this role. Please ensure you have provided reasons for any gaps within the last two years
• Submit a Personal Statement – (limited to 750 words) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience meet the essential criteria as outlined 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 is planned to take place week commencing 14th September 2026

Interviews are planned to take place in person at Newton Field Station, Elgin on 29 September 2026 and at Northern Research Station, Roslin on 1 October 2026.

If we receive a large volume of applications, then we will sift on CV (Experience) and the Personal Statement. Candidates will be expected to answer questions on all 3 behaviours at interview stage: Delivering at Pace, Managing a Quality Service, and Working Together.

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

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.

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