Research Assistant

**Details**:
**Reference number**:

- 266987**Salary**:

- £26,534-
**Job grade**:

- Administrative Officer- Pay Band 6A**Contract type**:

- Permanent**Business area**:

- FR - Forest Protection - Tree Health**Type of role**:

- Environment and Sustainability
- Science**Working pattern**:

- Flexible working, Full-time**Number of jobs available**:

- 1Contents

Location

About the job

**Benefits**:
Things you need to know

Location
- The role will be based in Alice Holt Lodge, Farnham, Surrey GU10 4LH. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas.About the job

**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.

Forest Research is seeking to appoint a Research Assistant on a permanent basis to work at the new containment facilities located at Alice Holt. The investment in buildings and staff is part of Forest Research’s vision to become the UK’s national reference laboratory for tree pests and pathogens. The activities carried out at these facilities will be the forefront of science and evidence providing expertise to enable decisions on tree and forest policy and practices and providing the reassurance and advice that customers deserve and require.

This position will be part of the Tree Health Team at Forest Research. The role will encompass supporting laboratory activities for pathology and entomology in the containment facilities or main Forest Research laboratories. The job will include logging of the incoming samples, preparation of materials, agar media preparation, routine maintenance and running of equipment, oversee service contracts, accurate record keeping, and ensure the good running of the laboratories. This role requires awareness of ISO 17025:2017 accreditation and will support wider activities of the Tree Health including professional duties and Quality Assurance.

**Job description**:

- Ensuring the good running order of the laboratories in the new containment facilities
- Assisting and supporting laboratory activities and staff in the new containment facilities
- Support activities needed to achieve and maintain accreditation ISO17025:2017 under the supervision of senior members of staff
- Support Quality Assurance procedures within Tree Health, and contribute to the writing of Standard Operating Procedures, Risk and COSHH assessments
- Contributing to the wider activities of the Tree Health research group including the fulfilment of professional duties
- Maintain materials and resources needed for testing activities in the laboratory
- Maintain equipment and stocks in good running order
- Support and help with the logging in and preparation of samples to be tested
- Support and contribute to the maintenance and calibration of equipment
- Help to maintain the culture collection.Assisting with paperwork such as COSHH, risk assessments, and accreditation documentation

**Person specification**:
**Essential Criteria**
- Bachelor of Science degree in the area of plant biological sciences, forestry or microbiology, or equivalent experience
- Skills in good laboratory practice.
- Demonstrated practical experience in a diagnostic or research environment.
- Experience with technical laboratory tasks such as making stock solutions, media preparation, and waste sterilisation and disposal
- Good standard of verbal and written communication.
- Competent IT user with experience of MS Office packages.

**Desirable Criteria**
- Knowledge of plant pests and diseases
- Knowledge of basic techniques used in mycology, bacteriology or identification of pests including culturing or preservation of specimens.
- Experience of working on an ISO17025:2017 accredited laboratory.
- Experience of working in a containment laboratory

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

- Working Together
- Managing a Quality Service
- Delivering at Pace
- Working Together

**Benefits**:
**Your career**
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