Data Science Technician

Forestry Commission; Scotland; On-site; GBP 30,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading environmental science organization is seeking a Data Science Technician to support critical work related to the National Forest Inventory. This role combines data analytics and geospatial techniques to inform forestry policy and practices. The successful candidate will work in a dynamic, multidisciplinary team, contributing to environmental science efforts that directly impact policy-making and biodiversity.

Benefits

Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme

Flexible working options

Annual leave increasing to 30 days

Employee Assistance Programme

Access to world-class laboratory facilities

Qualifications

• Experience in data analytics through work experience or education is essential.
• Knowledge of programming languages such as R and Python is necessary for data processing.
• Interest in forestry practice and data visualization techniques is valued.

Responsibilities

• Assist in designing reports and undertaking routine data analysis based on NFI datasets.
• Support custom-built analytical software including timber forecasting systems.
• Engage with stakeholders to gather project requirements and manage timelines.

Skills

Data analysis

Problem-solving

Attention to detail

Creative thinking

Education

Degree in a STEM subject

Equivalent analytical experience

Tools

R

Python

ESRI or QGIS geospatial tools

SQL

Job description

This role can be based in Alice Holt Research Station, Farnham GU10 4LH or Northern Research Station, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9SY. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas.

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 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. So, whether it’s climate or carbon, pests or pathogens, behaviour or biodiversity that interests you, you can be assured of a warm welcome to the team. To find out more, visit forestresearch.gov.uk.

The National Forest Inventory (NFI) programme monitors the location, extent and condition of woodlands throughout Great Britain. It does this by means of construction, regular maintenance and updating of a digital spatial map of British woodlands using information from aerial photography, remote sensing and administrative sources. This is augmented with a large field survey operation with many thousands of individual survey sites covering a representative sample of woodlands across Great Britain. The NFI field survey is designed as a continuous survey of woodland on a 5-year cycle, with repeat surveying of most sites in each cycle. The operation is approaching the end of the third cycle of assessments 2020-2025.

Outputs from the NFI provide evidence to decision makers across GB supporting the development of forestry policy, the timber industry and the environment and biodiversity within our forests. Through a series of repeat measurements and assessments at our sample sites, we are building a picture of how Britain’s woodlands are changing. For more information about the range and depth of the outputs from the NFI programme, please visit National Forest Inventory - Forest Research.

Job Description

We are looking to appoint a Data Science Technician to join a multidisciplinary NFI team that includes data engineers, analysts, statisticians, mapping and remote sensing specialists, and field data collection experts. Specifically, this role will provide a range of geospatial and analytical support functions to data driven projects for the NFI team directly and for other collaborators across the wider FR scientific community.

Work will be set and supervised by more senior staff although there will be ample opportunities to work independently, show initiative and think creatively to make your mark. There will be opportunities for skills development into related areas. On-the job training will be provided in the specialist areas such as timber forecasting and the custom-built analytical tools used in the NFI programme.

Reporting To The Production Forecast Manager, You Will Have Regular Exposure To FR's Important Long Term Timber Forecasting Work. This Is a Varied And Interesting Role, Which Will Empower The Right Candidate To Apply Data Science Knowledge And Geospatial Skills In The World Of Forestry. The Successful Applicant Will:

• Assist in designing reports based on the NFI and associated data sets
• Undertake routine reporting and analysis based on NFI and associated data sets
• Support custom built NFI analytical software including FR’s proprietary long term timber forecasting system.
• Develop an understanding of why, how and when data is collected for the rolling NFI programme.
• Assist colleagues within the NFI analytical team in maintaining the quality of data, ensuring it is fit for purpose in the growing range of analytical tools based on the NFI systems
  
  

Analyses and reports will vary in complexity and scale, from relatively simple requests to multi-year projects; there will be opportunity to develop new analytical tools as and when required. Each analysis will include a variety of techniques; there will often be a spatial element and will frequently involve assessing historical changes in Britain’s woodlands.

Key Work Areas:

• Under supervision, maintain and execute workflows and data pipelines using raw NFI data and outputs from other Forest Research GIS and database systems.
• Contribute within the team that documents, maintains, and troubleshoots legacy analytical systems within the NFI
• Assist in supporting new analytical systems that enhance the capacity, accuracy, and effectiveness of the NFI
• Contribute to reports for publication, presentation, and submission and assist in presenting findings to internal and external audiences
• Contribute to projects with tight deadlines, including gathering requirements and efficiently managing your own time and resources
• As part of a team, engage both with Forest Research scientists and researchers and external stakeholders, such as representatives of the devolved UK forestry bodies
  
  

We are looking to appoint a Data Science Technician to join a multidisciplinary NFI team that includes data engineers, analysts, statisticians, mapping and remote sensing specialists, and field data collection experts. Specifically, this role will provide a range of geospatial and analytical support functions to data driven projects for the NFI team directly and for other collaborators across the wider FR scientific community.

Work will be set and supervised by more senior staff although there will be ample opportunities to work independently, show initiative and think creatively to make your mark. There will be opportunities for skills development into related areas. On-the job training will be provided in the specialist areas such as timber forecasting and the custom-built analytical tools used in the NFI programme.

Key Work Areas:

• Under supervision, maintain and execute workflows and data pipelines using raw NFI data and outputs from other Forest Research GIS and database systems.
• Contribute within the team that documents, maintains, and troubleshoots legacy analytical systems within the NFI
• Assist in supporting new analytical systems that enhance the capacity, accuracy, and effectiveness of the NFI
• Contribute to reports for publication, presentation, and submission and assist in presenting findings to internal and external audiences
• Contribute to projects with tight deadlines, including gathering requirements and efficiently managing your own time and resources
• As part of a team, engage both with Forest Research scientists and researchers and external stakeholders, such as representatives of the devolved UK forestry bodies
  
  

Person specification

Essential Criteria:

• Degree in a STEM subject or alternative numerate subject or equivalent analytical experience
• Experience, through work experience, formal education or personal development of data analytics and a good knowledge of writing and applying languages such as R and Python for data extraction, wrangling and workflows
• Evidence of an interest in problem solving and dealing with the analysis of complex data sets
• Evidence of creative thinking and attention to detail, when working in scientific, technical or other areas
  
  

Desirable Criteria:

• Familiarity withf ESRI or QGIS geospatial tools, relational databases concepts, data models or SQL query languages
• An interest in forestry practice, forest inventory and forecasting
  
  

Behaviours

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

• Delivering at Pace
• Changing and Improving
• Working Together
  
  

Alongside your salary of £29,171, Forestry Commission - Forest Research contributes £8,450 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides.

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% 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/.

Selection process details

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

Please apply at Civil Service Jobs - GOV.UK, you will be asked to supply:

• A CV - setting out your career history, highlighting specific responsibilities and achievements that are relevant for this role
• A Personal Statement – (limited to 500 words) explaining how you consider your personal skills, qualities and experience, provide evidence of your suitability for the role, with particular reference to the essential criteria in the person specification.
  
  

We will use this information to assess your application against the essential criteria in the person specification.

Shortlist:

The panel will select a shortlist of candidates whose applications best demonstrate suitability for the role, by considering the evidence provided against the Essential Criteria set out in the Person Specification. Failure to address any or all of these may affect your application.

Sift will take place 23-24th June 2025

Interviews are planned to take place via MS Teams from 14th July 2025

Applicants invited to attend for interview will be required to prepare a short (5 minute) presentation, on the topic: 'Describe a time when you used creative thinking to solve a problem or improve a process related to data extraction, analysis, or presentation’

If we receive a large volume of applications, then we will sift on Experience/Technical Expertise and the Lead Behaviour, Delivering at Pace. However, candidates will be expected to answer questions on all behaviours listed at the interview stage.

Candidates who are judged to be a near miss at interview may be considered for other positions in Forest Research which may be at a lower grade but have a potential skills match.

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.

If a person with disabilities is put at a substantial disadvantage compared to a non-disabled person, we have a duty to make reasonable changes to our processes.

Complete the “Assistance required” section in the “Additional requirements” page of your application form to tell us what changes or help you might need further on in the recruitment process. For instance, you may need wheelchair access at interview, or if you’re deaf, a Language Service Professional.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

This vacancy is using Success Profiles (opens in a new window), and will assess your Behaviours and Experience.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check.

People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This Job Is Broadly Open To The Following Groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service
  
  

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window).

The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.

The Civil Service also offers a Redeployment Interview Scheme to civil servants who are at risk of redundancy, and who meet the minimum requirements for the advertised vacancy.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see the Civil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

This vacancy is part of the Great Place to Work for Veterans (opens in a new window) initiative.

The Civil Service welcomes applications from people who have recently left prison or have an unspent conviction. Read more about prison leaver recruitment (opens in new window).

Once this job has closed, the job advert will no longer be available. You may want to save a copy for your records.

Contact point for applicants

Job Contact :

• Name : [e-mail]
• Email : [e-mail]
  
  

Recruitment team

• Email : [e-mail]
  
  

Further information

Our recruitment process is underpinned by the principle of appointment on the basis of fair and open competition and appointment on merit, as outlined in the Civil Service Commissioners’ Recruitment Principles. If you feel your application has not been treated in accordance with these principles and you wish to make a complaint, you should in the first instance contact FR HR Services by email: [e-mail] you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission, which regulates all Civil Service recruitment.