FOREST RESEARCH

Senior Social Scientist

Job reference number: 362022

Salary: £45,260 – £49,062. Appointments to Forest Research are made at the entry level of the salary quoted, except in exceptional circumstances where a candidate’s experience and skills may justify a higher starting salary.

Contract: Full time, Fixed term, Appointment of three years with the possibility of extension or permanency but no guarantee.

Location:

The role can be based in Alice Holt Research Station, Farnham GU10 4LH or in Northern Research Station, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9SY or in Forestry Commission Office, Coldharbour Lane, Bristol BS16 1EJ with blended working which gives you the option to work some of the week from home, and some of the week from the workplace. You will be asked to express a location preference during the application process. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas.

Job summary:

The postholder will be a member of the Society and Environment Research Group (SERG). Members of the group are based at Alice Holt Lodge near Farnham, at the Northern Research Station near Edinburgh, and at the Forestry Commission national office in Bristol. SERG scientists are involved in interdisciplinary research with colleagues across FR, and with universities and other research institutes in the UK and overseas.

Person specification:

SERG is seeking to appoint a Senior Social Scientist to undertake research across the group but will have a particular emphasis on the forest disturbances theme, which includes consideration of the social dimensions of storms, floods and wildfire as well as tree health.

Key Work Areas:

1. Contribute to the management of SERG at senior level with a specific focus on the theme of forest disturbances. Including leading multiple research projects; organising staff, partners and other resources within projects; supporting staff with procurement and contracting where needed; contribute to research design, interpretation and reporting of data; and ensuring the delivery of milestones and outputs on time and to budget
2. Drive forward business development opportunities that fit with SERGs research theme of forest disturbances and contribute to long term sustainability of the science group. Work with other senior member of SERG and FR business development support to lead on proposal writing and bid development for new science projects, collaborations and funding streams.
3. Lead on the production of a variety of scientific outputs and dissemination mechanisms with the Communications team to actively promote the research of SERG to different stakeholders and wider audiences.
4. Work with the other senior members of SERG to develop the strategic direction of the group and provide leadership in aligning its activities with the wider organisational priorities of FR.
5. Work with the other senior members of SERG to support budgeting of the group’s finances, budget and staffing forecasts.
6. Line manage and empower staff to effectively carry out their roles, and develop their full potential in support of their own, and the wider goals of SERG and those of FR.
7. Work closely with existing networks of stakeholders and customers, to understand customers research needs and policy priorities, and to represent the work and capability of SERG and to develop new networks.

Essential Criteria:

• PhD qualification with substantial social science content within an environmental setting.
  • Demonstrable track record of leading multiple social science and interdisciplinary research projects of different sizes, including multiple partners. Evidence of significant science project management skills including staff management, allocation of resources, and an understanding of the complexities associated with driving applied social science with policy makers.
  • Experience of line managing staff and science team members including supporting and developing staff, dealing with, and resolving difficult staff situations.
  • Demonstrable ability and experience in social science research drawing on relevant theories, identifying the most appropriate methods to be used to gather evidence, and experience in collection and analysis of data and the production of suitable high-quality outputs.
  • Track record, ability and experience of using appropriate IT including data collection packages, data analysis packages, collaboration platforms, and other research support tools and supporting staff to use such tools.
  • Demonstrable ability to develop new ideas, relationships and partnerships that meet the needs of SERG thematic areas, and that support long term planning.
  • The post holder will need to be able to travel across the UK and potentially overseas to attend meetings, conferences, and undertake or supervise fieldwork

For more information and to apply please click the apply button.

Closing date: 11:55pm 25 August 2024.