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Forestry Commission
Environmental Scientist
Scotland Hybrid 5-10 yrs exp Government Administration 2,508 employees
Environmental ScienceForest Soil and Water InteractionsWater MonitoringProcess-Based ModellingArcGIS
Requirements
Applicants need a postgraduate degree in environmental science focused on soil and water, or equivalent relevant experience, along with a sound understanding of forest soil and water interactions and experience in water monitoring and process-based modelling. They must be competent with ArcGIS, R, Microsoft Office and Excel, communicate effectively, work well with teams and partners, and hold a current UK-valid driving licence.
Job Description
The role can be based in Alice Holt Lodge, Farnham, Surrey, GU10 4LH or in Northern Research Station, Roslin, Midlothian, EH25 9SY with blended working which gives you the option to work some of the week from home, and some of the week from the workplace. You will be asked to express a location preference during the application process.
Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas.
Job Summary
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 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.
A key area of FR’s work involves providing evidence to underpin the development of incentive mechanisms that encourage landowners to plant new woodlands. An exciting project in this area has been the development of a Woodland Water Code (WWC). The aim of this project is to provide a quality assurance scheme for woodland water services related to flood management, diffuse pollution attenuation and water temperature cooling.
We are now seeking an environmental scientist to identify and help establish one or more catchment laboratories. The objective is to provide essential data on the long-term water benefits of woodland to underpin the WWC. The post will be part of an interdisciplinary team at FR led by hydrology and economics specialists. The post is funded by the Public Sector Research Establishment Commission for strategic cross-cutting projects.
Job Description
The postholder will be a member of the Physical Environment Sciences Group (PESG) within the Centre for Forest Protection. We in PESG undertake research to better understand the complex interactions between forests and forest management practices and the physical environment. Our particular focus is on integrated forest monitoring and protecting soil and water resources. We also provide chemical analysis services for soil, water and vegetation samples. The cross-disciplinary nature of our research creates close ties with other FR science groups as well as external partners. Group staff are mainly based at Alice Holt in Surrey (England) and the Northern Research Station near Edinburgh (Scotland), with one member based near Brecon (Wales).
The postholder will assess the suitability of sites for long-term monitoring to provide confidence in verifying water gains through output-based metrics and modelling under the WWC. The sites will target locations most impacted by water pressures and where there is a reasonable likelihood of achieving a sufficient level of woodland creation over time to make a difference and thus be measurable. The aim is to create a network of ‘catchment laboratories’ to serve as a set of demonstration sites to enhance knowledge transfer and understanding, including building confidence of investors in funding woodland water services.
The postholder will work closely with Forest Services and external partners to identify potential candidate sites, assess site suitability against study requirements, and select the best for establishing one of more catchment laboratories. Consideration will be given to both catchment level and nested plot or reach scale study sites (e.g., to measure the effectiveness of riparian woodland buffers). This includes scope to build on and integrate with existing monitoring sites.
Key Work Areas
The Post Will Involve The Following Tasks:
The postholder will assess the suitability of sites for long-term monitoring to provide confidence in verifying water gains through output-based metrics and modelling under the WWC. The sites will target locations most impacted by water pressures and where there is a reasonable likelihood of achieving a sufficient level of woodland creation over time to make a difference and thus be measurable. The aim is to create a network of ‘catchment laboratories’ to serve as a set of demonstration sites to enhance knowledge transfer and understanding, including building confidence of investors in funding woodland water services.
The postholder will work closely with Forest Services and external partners to identify potential candidate sites, assess site suitability against study requirements, and select the best for establishing one of more catchment laboratories. Consideration will be given to both catchment level and nested plot or reach scale study sites (e.g., to measure the effectiveness of riparian woodland buffers). This includes scope to build on and integrate with existing monitoring sites.
Key Work Areas
The Post Will Involve The Following Tasks:
Essential Criteria:
Occasional travel with overnight stays may be required up to 3 times every 6 months.
Desirable Criteria:
The below criteria are desirable only. These will not be assessed throughout the recruitment process, but will be used in the event of tied scores between candidates.
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
Your career
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Selection process details
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:
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 on 2 November 2026.
Interviews are planned to take place on 19 November 2026 on MS Teams.
Applicants invited to attend for interview will be required to prepare a short (5 minute) presentation, which will be assessed against the essential criteria for the role: "How to measure woodland water benefits at the catchment scale." The presentation will need to address the following questions:
If we receive a large volume of applications, then we will sift on CV (Experience) and 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.
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:
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.
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality requirements
This Job Is Broadly Open To The Following Groups:
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job Contact :
Our recruitment process is underpinned by the principle of appointment on the basis of fair and open competition and appointment on merit, as outlined in the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should in the first instance contact FR HR Services by email: hr.services@forestresearch.gov.uk you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission, which regulates all Civil Service recruitment.
Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas.
Job Summary
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 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.
A key area of FR’s work involves providing evidence to underpin the development of incentive mechanisms that encourage landowners to plant new woodlands. An exciting project in this area has been the development of a Woodland Water Code (WWC). The aim of this project is to provide a quality assurance scheme for woodland water services related to flood management, diffuse pollution attenuation and water temperature cooling.
We are now seeking an environmental scientist to identify and help establish one or more catchment laboratories. The objective is to provide essential data on the long-term water benefits of woodland to underpin the WWC. The post will be part of an interdisciplinary team at FR led by hydrology and economics specialists. The post is funded by the Public Sector Research Establishment Commission for strategic cross-cutting projects.
Job Description
The postholder will be a member of the Physical Environment Sciences Group (PESG) within the Centre for Forest Protection. We in PESG undertake research to better understand the complex interactions between forests and forest management practices and the physical environment. Our particular focus is on integrated forest monitoring and protecting soil and water resources. We also provide chemical analysis services for soil, water and vegetation samples. The cross-disciplinary nature of our research creates close ties with other FR science groups as well as external partners. Group staff are mainly based at Alice Holt in Surrey (England) and the Northern Research Station near Edinburgh (Scotland), with one member based near Brecon (Wales).
The postholder will assess the suitability of sites for long-term monitoring to provide confidence in verifying water gains through output-based metrics and modelling under the WWC. The sites will target locations most impacted by water pressures and where there is a reasonable likelihood of achieving a sufficient level of woodland creation over time to make a difference and thus be measurable. The aim is to create a network of ‘catchment laboratories’ to serve as a set of demonstration sites to enhance knowledge transfer and understanding, including building confidence of investors in funding woodland water services.
The postholder will work closely with Forest Services and external partners to identify potential candidate sites, assess site suitability against study requirements, and select the best for establishing one of more catchment laboratories. Consideration will be given to both catchment level and nested plot or reach scale study sites (e.g., to measure the effectiveness of riparian woodland buffers). This includes scope to build on and integrate with existing monitoring sites.
Key Work Areas
The Post Will Involve The Following Tasks:
- Liaise with Forest Services, project partners and other key stakeholders to identify potential candidate catchments, primarily in England.
- Assess candidate catchments in terms of study requirements, including the availability of baseline data, scale of planned and future potential woodland creation, and suitability for piloting of WWC methodology.
- Apply existing models to predict impacts of planned woodland creation on local water pressures. Consider the ability of a monitoring programme to measure changes and validate model predictions.
- Produce a shortlist of preferred catchments and assess partnership support for establishing one or more catchment laboratories.
- Develop study design(s), secure partnership agreement plus in-kind support, and submit funding proposal(s) for catchment instrumentation.
- Collate existing data and commence water monitoring to establish baseline conditions prior to planned large-scale woodland creation.
The postholder will assess the suitability of sites for long-term monitoring to provide confidence in verifying water gains through output-based metrics and modelling under the WWC. The sites will target locations most impacted by water pressures and where there is a reasonable likelihood of achieving a sufficient level of woodland creation over time to make a difference and thus be measurable. The aim is to create a network of ‘catchment laboratories’ to serve as a set of demonstration sites to enhance knowledge transfer and understanding, including building confidence of investors in funding woodland water services.
The postholder will work closely with Forest Services and external partners to identify potential candidate sites, assess site suitability against study requirements, and select the best for establishing one of more catchment laboratories. Consideration will be given to both catchment level and nested plot or reach scale study sites (e.g., to measure the effectiveness of riparian woodland buffers). This includes scope to build on and integrate with existing monitoring sites.
Key Work Areas
The Post Will Involve The Following Tasks:
- Liaise with Forest Services, project partners and other key stakeholders to identify potential candidate catchments, primarily in England.
- Assess candidate catchments in terms of study requirements, including the availability of baseline data, scale of planned and future potential woodland creation, and suitability for piloting of WWC methodology.
- Apply existing models to predict impacts of planned woodland creation on local water pressures. Consider the ability of a monitoring programme to measure changes and validate model predictions.
- Produce a shortlist of preferred catchments and assess partnership support for establishing one or more catchment laboratories.
- Develop study design(s), secure partnership agreement plus in-kind support, and submit funding proposal(s) for catchment instrumentation.
- Collate existing data and commence water monitoring to establish baseline conditions prior to planned large-scale woodland creation.
Essential Criteria:
- Postgraduate degree in environmental science (soil and water) or equivalent relevant experience.
- Sound understanding of forest soil and water interactions.
- Experienced in water monitoring and process-based modelling.
- Competent user of spatial and statistical software, including ArcGIS and R packages.
- Good standard of verbal and written communication, including writing reports and scientific papers.
- Competent IT user with experience of MS Office packages, especially MS Excel.
- Evidence of good team and partnership working.
Occasional travel with overnight stays may be required up to 3 times every 6 months.
Desirable Criteria:
The below criteria are desirable only. These will not be assessed throughout the recruitment process, but will be used in the event of tied scores between candidates.
- Experience in undertaking catchment studies, including measuring and valuing water services.
- Knowledge of land use and management, particularly woodland design and management practices.
- Experience in working as part of an interdisciplinary team.
We'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:
- Working Together
- Communicating and Influencing
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
- 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
- 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
- a highly competitive Civil Service Pension of 28.97% of 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.
Artificial intelligence
Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.
Selection process details
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: Working Together and Communicating and Influencing.
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 on 2 November 2026.
Interviews are planned to take place on 19 November 2026 on MS Teams.
Applicants invited to attend for interview will be required to prepare a short (5 minute) presentation, which will be assessed against the essential criteria for the role: "How to measure woodland water benefits at the catchment scale." The presentation will need to address the following questions:
- What are the strengths and weaknesses of catchment-based studies?
- What innovative techniques could be used to improve water monitoring?
If we receive a large volume of applications, then we will sift on CV (Experience) and 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.
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:
- Whether the Job role has been identified as being a Critical Role in FR, which has been identified in the Workforce Plan, and / or
- Whether the Job role is a known Capability gap, which has been identified in the Workforce Plan for the relevant Centre, and
- Evidence of significant recruitment challenges in filling the Job role previously
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.
This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.
Security
Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Successful candidates must undergo a basic (or equivalent) criminal record check.
People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.
Nationality requirements
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
Working for the Civil Service
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.
We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).
The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.
The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.
Diversity and Inclusion
The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).
This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.
The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).
Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.
Contact point for applicants
Job Contact :
- Name : hr.services@forestresearch.gov.uk
- Email : hr.services@forestresearch.gov.uk
- Email : hr.services@forestresearch.gov.uk
Our recruitment process is underpinned by the principle of appointment on the basis of fair and open competition and appointment on merit, as outlined in the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should in the first instance contact FR HR Services by email: hr.services@forestresearch.gov.uk you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission, which regulates all Civil Service recruitment.
Education
Postgraduate Degree
Skills
Environmental ScienceForest Soil and Water InteractionsWater MonitoringProcess-Based ModellingArcGISRSpatial AnalysisStatistical AnalysisCatchment StudiesStudy DesignData AnalysisReport WritingScientific WritingPartnership WorkingStakeholder EngagementMicrosoft Excel
About Forestry Commission
What do we do? We provide grants, licences and advice to private woodland owners to encourage new tree planting and to help keep private forests under sustainable management. Our plant health officers inspect wood imports at ports to minimise the risk from foreign pests and diseases. Our experts work with local authorities and landowners to contain and control any spread. We licence tree felling to protect our woodlands for generations to come.
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