Research Worker

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.

This role sits within the Field Data Services (FDS) team, which operates field stations across England, Wales and Scotland. These stations are staffed by small, dedicated teams that provide technical support for a wide range of Forest Research fieldwork activities.

Working closely with scientific colleagues, FDS teams use their technical expertise to help plan and deliver field projects safely, efficiently and to a high standard. In addition to supporting Forest Research programmes, teams undertake work on behalf of external clients, including the Forestry Commission (FC) and Natural Resources Wales (NRW). They also act as a local point of contact between Forest Research, government agencies, partner organisations and private woodland owners and managers.

The work is varied and rewarding, with no two days the same. Activities include environmental and forestry surveys, field data collection, GIS mapping, surveying using high-precision Global Navigation Satellite Systems (GNSS), sample collection, the establishment and maintenance of field experiments including planting, vegetation control and fencing.

The Talybont Field Team are based near Brecon, in the only Forest Research field station in Wales. From this location, the team delivers fieldwork across Wales and parts of the West of England. The team shares office facilities with colleagues from Natural Resources Wales and works closely with them on a range of projects.

The successful candidate will join a highly skilled and supportive team and will also have opportunities to assist the wider FDS network, contributing to fieldwork projects across Great Britain when required.

You will work as part of a small team of Forest Research Workers based at Talybont Research Station, carrying out a wide range of environmental, plant health, and forestry surveys. The role also involves establishing, maintaining, and assessing field experiments, as well as conducting experimental fieldwork such as collecting samples using a variety of techniques. In addition, you will assist with the management of contractors and the auditing of their work.

The position includes undertaking maintenance activities, including pesticide applications and the operation of power tools. You will work closely with both internal and external partners across a wide geographical area, requiring flexibility to travel regularly, stay away overnight when necessary, and adapt to varying work patterns.

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. 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
• Provide a 250 word statement for each of the three listed Behaviours: Managing a Quality Service, Communicating & Influencing & 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 14 - 15 October 2026.

Interviews are planned to take place in person at Talybont Research Station, Brecon on 27 October 2026.

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

If we receive a large volume of applications, then we will sift on CV (Experience) and the Personal Statement. However, 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.