Senior Researcher

Job Summary

Future Trees Trust is recruiting a Senior Researcher to assist with planning and management of forest genetic resources and tree improvement projects across the UK.  

Future Trees Trust is a charity undertaking research in tree improvement and the use of forest genetic resources.  We are an organisation dedicated to promoting resilient, healthy and productive forests and woodlands by creating genetically diverse breeding populations of tree species and have extensive forest genetic resources in the form of trials, seed orchards and archives across the UK.  As our senior researcher, you will be responsible for managing existing and developing new innovative research programmes, and for communicating research findings and best practice to a wide audience. 

Job Description

The Senior Researcher is responsible for day-to-day delivery of forest genetics research projects, which typically involve a strong field component. The postholder is responsible for ensuring that work is managed within a budget and delivers on KPIs (key performance indicators). 

We are looking for a motivated and versatile team-player with initiative who can organise their own work and coordinate internal staff and external collaborators, manage and recall large volumes of information, troubleshoot problems efficiently and adapt quickly in a dynamic work environment.  

A key element of the job will be to write research proposals to further the Trust’s objectives, and to publish results in trade and peer reviewed journals.  

Key Work Areas

1. Managing day-to-day delivery of forest genetics research projects and tree breeding activities.  
2. Analysis and reporting of results to internal and external stakeholders. 
3. Writing and pursuing research grant applications. 
4. Manage and report on any budgets assigned to you. 
5. Provide summaries of your work for the Trust’s reports and all communication platforms. 
6. Contributing to and delivering against our strategy, maximising use of historic work and planning/development of future work. 
7. Work according to Trust policies and procedures, especially those relating to Health and Safety. 
8. Portray the Trust and its mission in a positive light in all job-related dealings and working relationships. 
9. Regular travel to trial sites across Great Britain. 
10. Deputising for the Head of Research as required. 
11. Staff management. 

Essential Criteria

• Degree in a relevant environmental science or commensurate professional experience in forestry or genetics. 
• Experience in efficient handling and interrogation of information in electronic (databases) and physical format (archives). 
• Experience of, or literacy in, the use of molecular markers or digital sequence information. 
• Project management experience (e.g. long-and short-term planning, monitoring budgets, managing contractors, reporting). 
• Well-developed, demonstrable and concise verbal and written communication skills. 
• Strong organisational skills and proven ability to develop and uphold procedures. 
• Full driving licence. 
• Willingness to travel away from home, with overnight stays required through the field season (November to March).
• Academic publication record. 
• Familiarity with basic tree or plant breeding principles in theory, in the nursery, and in the field. 
• Familiarity with stats packages and coding languages such as Rstudio 

Desirable Criteria

• Professional forestry experience. 
• Knowledge of forest nursery practices. 

How to Apply

Please apply by sending your CV and cover letter to our Head of Research Jo Clark