Laboratory Technician

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 professionals, land managers and anyone with green space, across Great Britain. 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 seeking ways to safeguard those species at risk. Our research supports UK timber production because fewer imports reduce carbon emissions. We provide robust data on forests in Scotland, Wales and England, and provide evidence of the societal benefits of woodland. We do all this utilising the latest technology while working collaboratively with academia, partners and industry, nationally and internationally.

Forest Research is seeking a motivated and enthusiastic Laboratory Technician to join the Tree Health Team within the Centre for Forest Protection at our Alice Holt Research Station.

This three-year fixed-term position will support a range of laboratory activities associated with tree health diagnostics and research, working across both the main laboratories and specialist containment facilities. The successful candidate will provide technical support for pathology and entomology projects, assisting with sample processing, laboratory procedures, maintenance of equipment, and implementation of biosecurity and health and safety protocols.

Job description

The postholder will provide essential technical support to the Tree Health Team and will undertake a wide range of laboratory duties.

Key Work Areas

The successful candidate will be:

• Managing laboratory waste and ensuring its safe and compliant disposal.
• Supporting the maintenance, servicing, and calibration of laboratory equipment.
• Maintaining high standards of laboratory housekeeping, including cleaning and organising laboratory areas, refrigerators, incubators, and defrosting freezers as required.
• Collecting and distributing deliveries across the Alice Holt site.
• Monitoring and replenishing laboratory consumables and stock levels.
• Labelling reagents and chemicals and ensuring their safe storage in accordance with laboratory procedures.
• Supervising contractors and service engineers during maintenance and inspection visits.
• Assisting with the receipt, logging, and preparation of samples for testing and analysis.
• Contributing to the preparation and review of COSHH assessments, risk assessments, and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
• Assisting in the preparation of culture media and other laboratory reagents.
• Supporting the day-to-day operation of both the main laboratories and containment facilities, ensuring compliance with biosecurity, health and safety, and quality standards.
• Working collaboratively with researchers and technical staff to support pathology and entomology projects focused on tree health.

Person specification

Essential Criteria

• Bachelor of Science degree in the area of plant biological sciences, forestry or microbiology, or equivalent relevant experience.
• Demonstrated 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.

Behaviours

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

• Working Together
• Making Effective Decisions
• Delivering at Pace

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 truthfu