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 (FR) 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.
We’re small enough that your voice is heard, yet large enough, as part of the Forestry Commission, that we have everything on hand to get the job done, as well as a variety of career pathways. Our staff are dedicated to their work and sharing it with others to bring positive change for our planet. You will find us a flexible and inclusive employer, so you can have a work life balance that is tailor-made to your circumstances. So, whether it’s climate or carbon, pests or pathogens, behaviour or biodiversity that interests you, you can be assured of a warm welcome to the team. To find out more, visit www.forestresearch.gov.uk
The Tree Health group at FR’s Alice Holt Research Station, which is based near Farnham in Surrey, provides scientific support and advice on tree pests and diseases for the forest industry and a wide range of other land managers and stakeholders, and the 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 has a standalone group within the team to improve our surveillance, monitoring and eradication procedures for this important pest.

JOB DESCRIPTION

Ips typographus is the most significant long-term threat to spruce trees and their viability as a core part of UK forestry. Huge economic investment has justifiably been launched in response to the arrival of Ips typographus for the protection of the UK spruce industry, following the recent discovery of its ability to disperse across the channel from massive populations inflicting mass devastation on the Continent. Despite this recent discovery of its ability to cross the channel with assistance from the wind, Ips typographus can be considered a relatively poor invader, with multiple barriers to establishment including predation and fungal infection. What remains unknown is what the costs of dispersing across the Channel are to Ips – dispersal is inherently expensive and risky, for any organism. How does such dispersal effect fat reserves, which play an important role in egg production? Are both sexes equally capable of making the journey? Are the costs of migration helping to reduce the capacity of Ips typographus to establish here?
Within the Ips management group, we are seeking appoint a full-time Scientist - Entomology working on aspects of Ips typographus biology on a fixed term contract. They will work closely with the Head of Entomology and Entomology Response Manager to understand the factors affecting Ips typographus mortality through field and lab studies. In addition, the post holder will analyse the wealth of data we have from the eradication programme to publish the findings, with crucial implications for policy. Lastly, the post holder will support the roll-out of a smart trap for the rapid detection and identification of Ips typographus - using machine learning techniques.

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)
• 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

Environment and Sustainability
Science