Laboratory Technician – Pathology

Job summary

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.

The Northern Research Station (NRS) laboratories are used by multiple teams undertaking a wide range of forestry related research. These include entomology, soil analysis, timber properties, forest genetics and pathology. Forest Research (FR) are seeking to appoint a Laboratory Technician to work in a multi-disciplinary role across all work areas, adapting to changing requirements of both seasonal variations and operational priorities. The primary purpose of this role is to support the Laboratory Manager and users, ensuring that activities are carried out safely, efficiently, and in line with the quality and regulatory requirements.

Job description

This role offers an excellent opportunity to support the delivery of scientific work at Forest Research's Northern Research Station. The post-holder will play an important role in supporting the efficient operation of laboratories across all the disciplines using the facilities. The post requires a highly organised and adaptable individual who can provide support to our researchers, carrying out a wide variety of essential laboratory support tasks to enable our researchers to successfully deliver their research projects on time and to the required standard.

Key Work Areas:

Duties will be varied but will include:

• Waste management in the laboratories
• Supporting and contributing to the maintenance and calibration of equipment
• General laboratory housekeeping. This will include ensuring the labs are kept clean and tidy, cleaning fridges and incubators and defrosting freezers as required
• Collecting deliveries from reception and delivering them to the correct location on site
• Replenishing laboratory consumables
• Labelling reagents and chemicals and ensuring their correct storage in the laboratories
• Supervising contractors and service engineers
• Supporting and helping with logging in and preparation of samples to be tested
• Contributing to the writing of COSHH assessments, Risk Assessments, and Standard Operating Procedures
• Assisting with preparation of culture media

Person specification

Essential Criteria:

• Bachelor of Science degree in biological sciences, forestry or microbiology, or equivalent relevant experience
• Demonstrable practical experience in a diagnostic or research environment
• Experience with technical laboratory tasks such as making stock solutions, media preparation, and waste sterilisation and disposal
• Good standard of verbal and written communication
• Competent IT user with experience of MS office packages

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.

• Knowledge of plant pests and diseases
• Knowledge of basic techniques used in mycology, bacteriology or identification of pests including culturing or preservation of specimens
• Experience of working in a containment laboratory
• Experience of working in an ISO17025:2017 accredited laboratory

Behaviours

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

• Working Together
• Delivering at Pace
• Managing a Quality Service

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Working Together

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £30,105, Forestry Commission - Forest Research contributes £8,721 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

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% 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.

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/.

Things you need to know

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 identi