Laboratory Manager

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, 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 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 to appoint a full-time, permanent Laboratory Manager to lead the operational management of the Tree Health laboratory facilities at our Alice Holt Research Station, including the ISO 17025-accredited containment laboratories. The postholder will also be tasked with providing support to equivalent facilities within our Northern Research Station in Scotland where required. As well as laboratory facilities, they will be responsible for ensuring infrastructure, equipment, quality systems and operational processes are maintained to a high standard, supporting safe, compliant and effective scientific work.

The postholder will lead a team of laboratory technicians, coordinate laboratory training programmes, manage staff competence within the laboratory environment, and contribute to continuous improvement initiatives. By delivering well-managed, fit-for-purpose laboratory facilities, the role enables diagnostic and research teams to undertake high-quality science that supports evidence-based decision-making in tree health and forestry.

The successful candidate will lead the operation and development of laboratories at our Alice Holt Research Station, including specialist high-containment facilities. They will ensure safe and efficient laboratory environments, equipment, systems and services, as well as compliance with relevant legislation, quality standards and organisational requirements.

Key responsibilities include managing laboratory infrastructure and operations, overseeing equipment maintenance, servicing, calibration and replacement programmes. Additionally, the postholder will ensure that laboratories are maintained to appropriate standards of hygiene, organisation and functionality. They will oversee health and safety arrangements, coordinate procurement and inventory management for laboratory equipment, consumables and services to ensure continuity of operations.

The role provides leadership for laboratory health and safety, ensuring compliance with statutory and organisational requirements, including COSHH and containment regulations. Responsibilities include developing and maintaining risk assessments, laboratory procedures and safe systems of work, covering areas such as chemical management, biological containment, emergency preparedness, personal protective equipment, exposure control and equipment use.

The Laboratory Manager will maintain laboratory quality systems, documentation, records and data management processes. The postholder will support audits, inspections and accreditation activities, ensuring standards are consistently achieved and maintained.

Working closely with researchers, technical specialists and Facilities teams, the Laboratory Manager will lead the development and operation of laboratory services and infrastructure, driving continual improvements to laboratory spaces while supporting safe, compliant and effective scientific delivery.

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 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 each of the following Behaviours: Making Effective Decisions, Changing and Improving, and 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 is planned to take place on 2 December 2026.

Interviews are planned to take place week commencing 14 December 2026 in person at Alice Holt Lodge, Farnham, Surrey, GU10 4LH.

Applicants invited to attend for interview will be required to prepare a short (15 minute) presentation: "Effective Laboratory Management: Delivering Safe, Compliant and Efficient Operations." This will be assessed against the essential criteria for the role.

At the Interview stage, you will be assessed on your experience, presentation and the 4 following behaviours: Making Effective Decisions, Changing and Improving, Managing a Quality Service, and Working Together.

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 4 behaviours at interview stage: Making Effective Decisions, Changing and Improving, 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.