Careers
Forest Research is a world leader in forestry and tree related research.
We share our knowledge and experience to help the Government and wider organisations globally change the way they think and act on environmental issues.
Jobs and apprenticeships
We offer careers where you can develop solutions to the many complex problems facing our trees, woods and forests.
Our Apprenticeships are unique; offering a high level of academic and industry accreditation, combined with experience in the workplace. They are industry recognised, degree level work-based qualifications offered in key sectors where there is a real need for skilled employees.
Post-graduate opportunities
We are committed to growing a skilled community of scientists to progress tree and forestry related research and enhance national capability.
Through collaborations with host institutions such as universities and other research organisations, and with research funders, we support post-graduate opportunities including studies leading to PhDs, EngDs and Masters qualifications.
Currently we are helping to facilitate post-graduate students on a broad range of topics, across multiple disciplines and in interdisciplinary research relevant to trees and forestry.
Our involvement varies according to each studentship but may include supervision by one or more of our world-leading scientists, access to our collection of field sites and excellent research facilities.
Current post-graduate opportunities
Benefits of working at Forest Research
Annual leave
25 days for full time staff, rising to 30 days after 5 years, pro rata for those who work part time. You can also buy or sell up to two days annual leave each year.
8 paid Bank holidays a year, plus 2.5 days of additional paid holiday.
Pension
We offer a generous Civil Service pension with a choice of schemes, giving you flexibility to suit your needs. Under our career average pension scheme (Alpha) we pay an employer contribution rate of over 20% of your salary into your pension annually.
"I have always had a strong interest in ecological and environmental conservation having worked previously for an environmental consultancy for five years. Forest Research offered me the perfect opportunity to utilise my newly developed skills in GIS and marry these with my knowledge and experience in ecology to contribute to projects that make a real impact on the way we sustainably manage our woodlands and open habitats in the UK." Andrew Rattey, GIS Analyst
Flexible working
We offer flexible working options depending on your circumstances and business needs. We try to accommodate flexible approaches to the working week which could include part-time working, job sharing, home working or compressed hours.
Our flexi-time scheme means you can vary your start and finish time, and take time off if extra hours are built up.
Family-friendly benefits
We offer maternity, adoption and shared parental leave of up to 26 weeks full pay, followed by 13 weeks statutory pay and a further 13 weeks unpaid. We offer paternity leave at two weeks full pay.
We also offer a career break scheme for staff who wish to spend more time with their family or take a long trip overseas.
Wellbeing
Our Employee Assistance Programme is a free, confidential service that offers expert advice, information, specialist counselling, and support you 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. We have recently developed a network of mental health first aiders who are available to support staff at difficult times.
"Our team tries to better understand the impacts that people have on plants and trees, and vice versa. Our projects are pretty varied, often cutting across social, cultural and economic aspects of plants and trees.
If we want people to live better lives (and I do) then the social sciences need to play as much a part in environmental management and conservation as the natural sciences and that's why I work at Forest Research." Chris Pollard, Social scientist
Salary advances
Interest free temporary loans of up to £5,000 are available for travel season tickets, sports or IT equipment
Employee discount scheme
We offer a discount scheme called MyLifestyle which gives access to a range of exclusive discounts and offers at some of the UK’s best known retailers such as M&S, B&Q, Apple, Argos, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Currys. There are also discounts from on-line retailers such as ASOS, Dell, John Lewis and UberEats. You can also enjoy a discounted gym membership at one of over 3,300 gyms across the UK.
Cycle to work
We offer interest-free loans towards the cost of a bike, plus a Cycle to Work Scheme which can help save you tax.
Our sites
Both our main offices are in parkland settings, with plenty of parking and on-site facilities including electric charging points. We also have very active Sports and social clubs at our main sites, organising events all year around, including sporting events, mountain biking, book clubs, baking courses and many more, which contribute to the friendly and welcoming culture of Forest Research.
Volunteering and fundraising
Our staff is entitled to up to three days of special paid leave to volunteer (pro-rata if you are part time). FR encourages staff to use this special leave allowance to support volunteering activities they are already involved in, as well as to try something new and experience the benefits of volunteering for the individual and wider community. Many of our staff are also very active in the community and we organise charity fundraisers and drives many times a year to benefit various causes.
Equality, Diversity and Inclusion matters to us
We are proudly committed to equality of opportunity, and aim to employ a diverse workforce. We support and celebrate difference, offering rewarding careers and providing excellent job opportunities for all our people. We have staff coming from a variety of countries around the world who contribute to create a diverse and varied office culture. Our LGBTQ+ Supporters Network is open to everyone and provides a place to champion and support lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and questioning colleagues across the organisation.
"My work is focused on improving timber quality of commercially important timber species. I’ve always had a keen interest in how land can be utilized by multiple stakeholders. This passion is what lead me to working in timber research at Forest Research. As a research assistant, I am responsible for maintaining experiments and collecting and processing samples." Rachael Davidson, Research Assistant
Learning and Development
We offer unrivalled access to learning and development opportunities, including support for your professional development. We fully support Reservists and offer generous additional leave.
