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Civil Service Pension with an average employer contribution of 27%
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Science
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About the job
Job summary
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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.
Were 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 its 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 forestresearch.gov.uk.
The post holder will be a member of the Mensuration, Growth and Yield Science Group, within the Centre for Forest Management one of three research centres within Forest Research, which focuses on applied interdisciplinary research, to underpin the sustainable management of Britains trees, woods and forests. Our research underpins scientific understanding of the contribution of forests to sustainable and secure wood supply, climate change mitigation and reaching NetZero targets. The Science Groups work is focused on 5 main areas: tree and timber measurement; forest growth modelling; forest carbon balance modelling; evaluation of wood supply chains; development of practical decision support tools. We provide support to policy and practice through working with many Government departments, forestry and land management stakeholders, environmental NGOs, the EU and international bodies (e.g. the IPCC). The Science Groups work is supported by a combination of core funding and external research contracts. The growing team comprises twenty staff and works closely with other Science Groups.
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Job description
The group seeks to appoint, on a permanent basis, a Data Analyst with experience in forestry modelling, data processing and data analysis in R, to provide underpinning evidence and interpretation in support of robust climate change and land use policy. The post holder will lead project tasks and research commissioned under a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between Forest Research and the Department for Energy Security and Net Zero (DESNZ), to better understand the climate change mitigation potential of UK forests, and to improve the way in which GHG emissions and removals from UK forests are estimated. The programme also aims to de-risk delivery of the forestry component of the UK Greenhouse Gas Inventory.There are 1.5 years remaining of this 3 year programme.
The post holder will also deliver modelling work in R for projects exploring land use change with Defra and the Welsh Government, including exploring changes in woodland suitability under future climate projections, and the impacts of woodland creation and management on land use economics and ecosystem service provision.
Key Work Areas:
The Forest Data Analyst will lead on the development and delivery of modelling, data analysis and reporting for Tasks in the MOU work programme, and for land use change modelling work to Defra and Welsh Government. The Data Analyst will support the delivery of the forestry component of the UK Greenhouse Gas Inventory (UK GHGI) through leading on the automation of data processing as R scripts. They will also undertake documentation and quality assurance of this process. The applicant will communicate this work verbally to colleagues across FR and directly to policy leads and in accompanying written reports, the project Steering Group and external stakeholders. The applicant will, as a result, be trained to deliver the forestry component of the UK GHGI. The post holder will lead on MOU tasks pertaining to improving estimates of projected GHG emissions and removals by modelling the impacts of forest establishment, management and climate change on forestry projections. The post holder will provide data analysis for a multi-organisation consortia who are modelling the impacts of a changing climate on ecological suitability, and woodland creation and woodland management scenarios on land use economics and ecosystem service provision for Defra and the Welsh Government.
Person specification
The applicant will have experience in environmental data analysis, data processing and modelling in R. The successful candidate will have knowledge of forestry or climate change mitigation, or an interest and willingness to learn.
The successful applicant will have a track record of delivering projects and disseminating science outcomes through reports and presentations to a range of audiences.
Essential Criteria
- Proficient R user, with experience of environmental data analysis, processing or modelling with large datasets and writing functions.
- Demonstratable ability to produce annotated and automated R scripts for data processing and reporting, experience managing code with robust version control
- A higher (postgraduate) degree in data, environmental or mathematical science, or equivalent experience
- Experience contributing to written reports for a wide range of audiences
- Demonstratable organisational skills and high attention to detail
- Proven ability to work independently, with reliability and transparency
- Knowledge of forestry or climate change mitigation, or an interest and willingness to learn.
Desirable Criteria
- Experience in forestry modelling
- Understanding of forest management and the forestry sector
- Ability to communicate in-person and on-line to audiences at all levels
Behaviours
We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
Benefits
£9,684 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 where employer contributions starting at 26% 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 theres 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
Selection process details
Sift Date: 28th November 2023
Interview Date: week commencing 11th December 2023
Candidates invited to attend interview will be required to prepare a short presentation, topic will be advised on confirmation of interview.
If a large volume of applications is received, then we will sift on Experience/Technical Expertise and the Lead Behaviour, Working Together. However, candidates will be expected to answer questions on all behaviours 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 youre deaf, a Language Service Professional.
Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.
Security
Nationality requirements
Working for the Civil Service
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).
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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
