Field Research Officer

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) has over 20 years' experience delivering mapping, field data collection and information management solutions. Combining expertise in GIS, data science, statistics, mapping and forestry, IFOS provides software, analysis, modelling and official statistics that help organisations manage woodland resources and make informed decisions.

Field Data Services delivers reliable, timely and high-quality field data to support scientific research and sustainable woodland management across Great Britain. Our services include field and sample data collection, experimental site maintenance, quality assurance, plant supply, training and advice, drone operations, and terrestrial laser scanning. Our staff are based throughout England, Scotland and Wales, providing nationwide support.

As a member of the field team, you will work closely with the Field Station Manager to support operational delivery, ensuring work is completed safely, efficiently and within budget. You will help manage business processes, maintain service quality, and contribute to the delivery of experimental and survey programmes.

The role combines office and field-based work, including supporting the establishment and maintenance of field experiments, carrying out monitoring and quality assurance activities, and working alongside Research Workers and contractors. You will also collaborate with colleagues and external partners to support wider organisational objectives. As the role covers a broad geographical area, flexibility for travel, overnight stays and varying work patterns will be required.

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

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)

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
• Submit a statement of up to 250 words on the following behaviour: Delivering at Pace

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 16th November 2026

Interviews are planned to take place in person at Northern Research Station, Roslin on 24th and 27th November 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.

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:

o Whether the Job role has been identified as being a Critical Role in FR, which has been identified in the Workforce Plan, and / or

o Whether the Job role is a known Capability gap, which has been identified in the Workforce Plan for the relevant Centre, and

o 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.