Laboratory Technician – Pathology

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 Northern Research Station (NRS) laboratories are used by multiple teams undertaking a wide range of forestry related research. These include entomology, soil analysis, timber properties, forest genetics and pathology. Forest Research (FR) are seeking to appoint a Laboratory Technician to work in a multi-disciplinary role across all work areas, adapting to changing requirements of both seasonal variations and operational priorities. The primary purpose of this role is to support the Laboratory Manager and users, ensuring that activities are carried out safely, efficiently, and in line with the quality and regulatory requirements.

This role offers an excellent opportunity to support the delivery of scientific work at Forest Research's Northern Research Station. The post-holder will play an important role in supporting the efficient operation of laboratories across all the disciplines using the facilities. The post requires a highly organised and adaptable individual who can provide support to our researchers, carrying out a wide variety of essential laboratory support tasks to enable our researchers to successfully deliver their research projects on time and to the required standard.

Key Work Areas:

Duties will be varied but will include:

• Waste management in the laboratories
• Supporting and contributing to the maintenance and calibration of equipment
• General laboratory housekeeping. This will include ensuring the labs are kept clean and tidy, cleaning fridges and incubators and defrosting freezers as required
• Collecting deliveries from reception and delivering them to the correct location on site
• Replenishing laboratory consumables
• Labelling reagents and chemicals and ensuring their correct storage in the laboratories
• Supervising contractors and service engineers
• Supporting and helping with logging in and preparation of samples to be tested
• Contributing to the writing of COSHH assessments, Risk Assessments, and Standard Operating Procedures
• Assisting with preparation of culture media

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 supply:

• A CV – setting out your career history, highlighting specific responsibilities and achievements that are relevant for this role
• A Personal Statement – (limited to 250 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: 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 will take place week beginning 7 September 2026.

Interviews are planned to take place week commencing 28 September 2026 in person at Northern Research Station, Roslin, Midlothian, EH25 9SY.

At the Interview stage, you will be assessed on your experience and the 3 following behaviours: Working Together, Delivering at Pace, and Managing a Quality Service.

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