Scientist – Molecular Biology

The role will be based at Alice Holt, Wrecclesham, Farnham GU10 4LH . Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas.Job SummaryWant 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.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. And 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 forestresearch.gov.uk.We are seeking to appoint a Scientist - Molecular Biology on a fixed term appointment of one year to work at the containment facilities located at Alice Holt. The investment in buildings and staff is part of Forest Research’s vision to become the UK’s national reference laboratory for tree pests and pathogens. The activities carried out at these facilities will be the forefront of science and evidence providing expertise to enable decisions on tree and forest policy and practices and providing the reassurance and advice that customers deserve and require.Job DescriptionThis position will be part of the Molecular Diagnostics Team. The job will involve routine testing of samples for pests and pathogens from surveys and members of the public/volunteers, as well as implementing and validating tests new during outbreaks. This will involve laboratory work and desk-based activities to support the maintenance of the ISO 17025:2017 accreditation for specific diagnostic tests. Part of this role would also involve contribution to existing and future research projects to develop and improve molecular diagnostic tests and outbreak preparedness.Key Work Areas:Routine molecular testing of incoming samples in the containment laboratory (DNA extraction, quantification, and PCR/qPCR).Undertaking bio-informatic processing of sequence reads, BLAST analysis, sequence alignment and producing phylogenetic trees.Contributing to the maintenance of the molecular laboratories and ISO17025:2017 accreditation.Troubleshooting DNA-based diagnostic methodologies and interpreting results.Development and validation of new DNA-based diagnostic methodologies.Writing and reviewing Standard Operating Procedures.Contributing to the smooth operation of molecular laboratories including stock taking and ordering of consumables, preparation of reagentsContributing to the wider activities of the Tree Health research group including the fulfilment of professional duties.This position will be part of the Molecular Diagnostics Team. The job will involve routine testing of samples for pests and pathogens from surveys and members of the public/volunteers, as well as implementing and validating tests new during outbreaks. This will involve laboratory work and desk-based activities to support the maintenance of the ISO 17025:2017 accreditation for specific diagnostic tests. Part of this role would also involve contribution to existing and future research projects to develop and improve molecular diagnostic tests and outbreak preparedness.Key Work Areas:Routine molecular testing of incoming samples in the containment laboratory (DNA extraction, quantification, and PCR/qPCR).Undertaking bio-informatic processing of sequence reads, BLAST analysis, sequence alignment and producing phylogenetic trees.Contributing to the maintenance of the molecular laboratories and ISO17025:2017 accreditation.Troubleshooting DNA-based diagnostic methodologies and interpreting results.Development and validation of new DNA-based diagnostic methodologies.Writing and reviewing Standard Operating Procedures.Contributing to the smooth operation of molecular laboratories including stock taking and ordering of consumables, preparation of reagentsContributing to the wider activities of the Tree Health research group including the fulfilment of professional duties.Person specificationEssential Criteria:Degree in plant biological sciences, molecular biology, microbiology or biochemistry OR equivalent work experience in a laboratory settingDemonstrated experience of working in a molecular laboratorySkilled in good laboratory practice with laboratory experience using molecular techniques such as DNA extraction, PCR, real time PCR, RT-PCR, DNA clean-up and quantification for DNA based diagnosticsSkilled in basic bioinformatics such as BLAST analyses and production of phylogenetic treesGood standard of verbal and written communicationKnowledge of quality management in laboratories (i.e. UKAS ISO/IEC 17025) and data management systems (i.e. LIMS)Competent IT user with experience of MS Office packages and use of databasesDesirable Criteria:Experience in routine diagnostics using molecular methodologiesPrevious work experience in UKAS accredited laboratories, performing accredited testsExperience validating molecular methods and inter-laboratory proficiency testingPrevious work in containment facilitiesA broad understanding of tree health issues, particularly as they relate to emerging pests and diseases of temperate woodlands, including Plant Health regulatory frameworksBehavioursWe'll assess you against these behaviours during the selection process:Working TogetherDelivering at PaceManaging a Quality ServiceWe only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:Working TogetherAlongside your salary of £33,854, Forestry Commission - Forest Research contributes £9,807 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.Your careerExcellent professional development opportunities which are tailored to your role, with paid professional membership subscriptions, mentoring, and Civil Service Learning available to allaccess to world class laboratory facilities, as well as state of the art buildings within forest or science park settingsYour work/life balanceflexible 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 responsibilitiesA 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 holidaysYour wellbeing A culture which promotes a diverse and inclusive work environment A range of wellbeing benefits including Employee Assistance Programme 24/7We 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 FridaysPaid volunteering leave of 3 days per year so you can give back to your community and charitable causes by sharing your skills and timeYour Benefitsa highly competitive Civil Service Pension of 28.97% your salaryan employee benefits scheme offering discounts on groceries, gym memberships, holidays, days out, online retailers and high street shopsCycle to Work scheme and Interest free loans Free parking is offered on-site, alongside electric car charging portsWith 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.Any move to Forest Research from another employer will mean you can no longer access childcare vouchers. This includes moves between government departments. You may however be eligible for other government schemes, including Tax-Free Childcare. Determine your eligibility at https://www.childcarechoices.gov.uk/.Selection process detailsThis 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 the Lead Behaviour ' Working Together'We will use this information to assess your application against the essential criteria in the person specification.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 for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.ShortlistThe 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 26 November 2025Interviews are planned to take place from 4th December 2025During the panel interview, your experience will be assessed by way of a prepared presentation. The topic and further details will be provided on confirmation of interview.If we receive a large volume of applications, then we will sift on CV (Experience) and the Lead Behaviour, Working Together. 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 SponsorshipFR 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 previouslySkilled Worker sponsorship may be available, subject to an application and assessment process and the Home Office points-based system.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.SecuritySuccessful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.Nationality requirementsThis Job Is Broadly Open To The Following Groups:UK nationalsnationals of the Republic of Irelandnationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UKnationals 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 2020Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil ServiceFurther information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)Working for the Civil ServiceThe 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 InclusionThe 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 applicantsJob Contact :Name : hr.services@forestresearch.gov.ukEmail : hr.services@forestresearch.gov.ukRecruitment teamEmail : hr.services@forestresearch.gov.ukFurther informationOur 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.