As part of the Silviculture and Wood Properties science group the role will be involved with research such as characterising the timber properties of emerging species in the UK, developing faster methods to measure wood properties, modelling the impact of climate change on tree and timber properties and understanding the impacts and risks posed by a changing climate to our wood resources. The post will be based on site at Forest Research Northern Research Station with our wood and timber research facilities, and involves a mixture of desk, workshop, and laboratory activities, alongside outdoors activities and intermittent field work across the UK. The role focuses on providing technical and scientific expertise alongside operational management to ensure high quality data acquisition throughout our experimental wood research. This includes testing in forests, wood processing and timber testing in the lab. Our research methods range from forest mensuration, acoustic timber measurements and LIDAR scans of forest plots through-to working with harvested timber, and X-ray scanning and mechanical strength tests of small wood samples.

The post-holder will manage the facilities and experimental activities associated with our wood testing and processing operations, including the wood research workshop, sawmill and small wood testing lab. Responsibilities include coordinating our research facilities,  supervising/line managing research technicians and ensuring safety and quality standards. The post-holder will play a key role in applying the team’s experimental methods and operational activities within the Tree and Wood Properties research program. This involves conducting wood properties assessments, data processing using novel and established techniques, computer analysis, data presentation, and reporting. Their activities will support the development and quality assurance of our experimental timber research, with scope to develop specific areas of interest and research projects that align with the team’s objectives.

Essential criteria

• Degree or equivalent qualifications and experience in forestry, wood science, or engineering
• Experience managing operational workspaces or activities in forestry, wood processing, engineering, or similar
• Experience of managing colleagues to deliver agreed programmes of work, including responsibility for relevant Health & Safety and Quality Assurance
• Experience in the advanced use of R, Microsoft Excel, or comparable data processing software to collate, summarise and analyse information
• Excellent teamwork and communication skills e.g. with colleagues, staff, and collaborators

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

• Interest in and knowledge of the UK’s forestry and wood-using industries
• Research or scientific experience in forestry, wood products, materials science, engineering, or similar
• Experience of using or managing woodwork machinery
• Experience of delivering field or lab-based research projects in forestry, timber or wood science
• Knowledge and understanding of the influence of stand and site factors on wood and timber properties
• Experience of applying statistics to wood properties datasets
• Membership of a relevant professional body