Scientist – Pathology

Reference number: 356050
Starting salary: £29,863 – £31,526
Location: Northern Research Station (NRS), Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9SY with
blended working

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. 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. 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.

The Tree Health research group’s role is to sustain the forestry and tree sector in Britain
through three main activities:

• Provision of rapid diagnosis of tree health problems and advice via FR’s Tree Health
  Diagnostic and Advisory Service (THDAS).
• Undertaking relevant and topical research on the pest and pathogen threats that affect
  British trees to inform appropriate management and future proofing.
• Conducting analyses and evaluations of specific tree health issues to underpin government
  policy.

Members of the group who carry out work on forest pathology typically undertake field and
laboratory-based investigations and research into a range of tree pathogens including
bacterial, fungal and Phytophthora species.

Job description

The role will encompass both the diagnosis and provision of advice in relation to tree diseases
via the THDAS and support existing and emerging research projects into the biology of specific
tree pathogens. The post-holder will contribute to the delivery of training and support for
visiting students on placement within the group and for volunteers in the ongoing Observatree
citizen science programme in which FR is a lead partner.

Key Work Areas:

Diagnostician within the Tree Health Diagnostic and Advisory Service:

• Providing advice and examining samples submitted to the THDAS for diagnosis, applying
  classical morphological and molecular diagnostic techniques as required
• Undertaking basic bio-informatic processing of sequence reads, BLAST analysis and producing
  phylogenetic trees of species and taxa
• Communicating to stakeholders at a variety of events, explaining pathogen threats, good
  biosecurity practice and the diagnostic services that THDAS offers

Provision of assistance with projects researching specific tree pathogens:

• Contributing to the development and application of methodologies for detecting pathogens
  and investigating their biology including interactions with their hosts
• Undertaking interpretation of biological data and collaborating in the writing of
  scientific and technical publications as well as research proposals
• Planning and carrying out field visits and sampling activities to achieve specific goals
• Participating in knowledge exchange by presenting results to audiences with varying levels
  of technical expertise

General research group & centre responsibilities:

• Assisting in the continued smooth operation of the laboratory facilities at NRS
• Writing and reviewing Standard Operating Procedures and contributing to the laboratory
  accreditation processes
• Contributing to public outreach activities of the Tree Health research group

Person specification

Essential Criteria:

• Degree in plant biological sciences, microbiology, or biochemistry
• Skilled in good laboratory practice with demonstrated experience identifying microorganisms
• Skills in general plant pathology methods, including microscopy and the isolation/culture
  of organisms from plants
• Good standard of verbal and written communication
• Competent IT user with experience of MS Office packages
• We require the applicant to have a full current driving licence that enables them to drive
  in the UK. We will consider any proposals that would allow applicants to do the job by other
  means

Desirable Criteria:

• A broad understanding of plant pathology issues, particularly as they relate to emerging
  diseases of temperate woodlands, including Plant Health regulatory frameworks
• Experience in laboratory management, budget planning and monitoring of laboratory supplies
• Expertise in the accreditation of molecular diagnostic protocols and inter-laboratory
  proficiency testing
• An ability to identify broad leaved and conifer trees

Closing date: 23 June 2024.