Research Assistant - Entomology

Join to apply for the Research Assistant - Entomology role at Forestry Commission. This role will be based in Alice Holt Research Station, Farnham GU10 4LH. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas.

Job Summary

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.

The Tree Health group at FR's Alice Holt Research Station provides scientific support and advice on tree pests and diseases for the forest industry and a wide range of other land managers, stakeholders and the general public. Currently, the entomology team is working to eradicate outbreaks of the quarantine eight-toothed spruce bark beetle (Ips typographus) in Kent and East Sussex, and is developing a dedicated group within the team to improve our surveillance, monitoring and eradication procedures for this significant pest.

Job Description

Within this group we are seeking to appoint a full-time Research Assistant on a fixed-term contract. The post-holder will provide laboratory and field support for the management group, carrying out the laboratory work for the beetle trapping programme, assisting field staff, and managing the data from the programme. Samples are collected on a weekly basis with insects sorted and key taxa (bark beetles in particular, but also other indicator groups) identified using taxonomic keys and by comparison with reference material; as such, some experience with insect identification is essential. Fieldwork will be a minor part of the role, but the post-holder will be expected to help with trap installation and surveys through the year. The post also requires experience of using spreadsheets and the production of summary reports.

As well as working to manage an outbreak as part of the group, there will be opportunities to engage with other projects that the entomology team are working on. Training to identify target groups and species will be provided, as will relevant field and Health and Safety training.

Key Work Areas:

• Collect and process trap samples, record and identify bark beetles and produce weekly interim reports
• Liaise with field staff to ensure beetle traps are emptied and recharged weekly
• Prepare trapping materials and deliver to drop off & collection points
• Ensure traps are kept in good condition, cleaned and repaired as necessary, collected and properly stored at the end of the season
• Responsibility for managing data arising from the programme, assist with final reports
• Other laboratory work and field surveys as required

Person specification

Essential Criteria:

• Invertebrate identification skills and familiarity with the use of taxonomic keys
• Electronic data management through use of spreadsheets and competent user of MS Office
• Experience of laboratory and field work in relation to invertebrates, including collection and handling of samples
• Due to the nature of the role a full current driving licence is required

Desirable Criteria:

• Familiarity with forests and other land uses in the UK and associated ecosystems/organisms, especially forest insects
• Experience of insect surveying/monitoring

Behaviours

We’ll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:

• Managing a Quality Service
• Working Together
• Making Effective Decisions

Alongside your salary of £29,171, Forestry Commission - Forest Research contributes £8,450 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme.

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 of 28.97% 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 there’s 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.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles, and will assess your Behaviours and Experience. 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.

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.

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

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)