entry level life sciences jobs

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 (FR) 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.

We are seeking to appoint a Laboratory Manager to manage the tree health diagnostic and research laboratories at Alice Holt (including the ISO17025 accredited containment laboratories), and as appropriate to support the equivalent laboratories in Northern Research Station, Roslin, Midlothian. The research activities carried out in the laboratories, which include morphological and molecular methods for pathology and entomology, provide a strong evidence base and expertise to enable decisions on tree and forestry policy and practices.

The Laboratory Manager will be responsible for overseeing the smooth functioning of several laboratory spaces, which include supporting compliance to health and safety and COSHH requirements, management of equipment, general laboratory hygiene and procurement of consumables and equipment. The role will also be involved in helping to develop plans and processes to ensure the continuous improvement of the laboratories. The job will involve managing existing laboratory technicians and overseeing general laboratory staff competence as well as being responsible for organising and delivering training activities related to the laboratory.

Key Work Areas:

• Responsibile for risk assessments and training of staff to ensure compliance with Health &Safety regulations and the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health (COSHH) regulations.
• Ensure the good running order of the laboratories including good hygiene and housekeeping, overseeing maintenance, calibration of equipment and procurement of consumables and equipment.
• Support development of plans for chemical safety, emergency response, exposure control, fire and hazard communication, personal protective equipment, equipment operation (and others as required)
• Responsible for developing processes for continuous improvement.
• Support other tree health laboratories (NRS).
• Control of data, documents, records and the Laboratory Information Management System (LIMS).

Essential Criteria:

• Degree level or equivalent in Chemical, Physical or Biological sciences/ Health and Life sciences
• Experience of working in containment laboratories (Containment level 2/3)
• Good evidence of laboratory management and staff management.
• Good knowledge of Health and Safety and COSHH regulations (IOSH).
• Experience of equipment management (servicing, maintenance, calibration)
• Good standard of verbal and written communication.
• Ability to adapt to changing and developing laboratory and other business systems.
• Competent IT user with experience of MS Office packages and use of databases.
• Ability to work collaboratively across teams and disciplines to ensure outputs are presented in the most appropriate way.
• An understanding of data management systems and data protection requirements.

Desirable Criteria:

• Knowledge of quality management systems in particular ISO17025:2017 (or ISO9001:2015)
• Experience of using or running a LIMS system
• Knowledge of plant pests and diseases
• Awareness of molecular and morphological biology techniques

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

• Managing a Quality Service
• Changing and Improving
• Making Effective Decisions

We only ask for evidence of these behaviours on your application form:

• Managing a Quality Service

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/.

Job contact :

• Name : HR Services
• Email : hr.services@forestresearch.gov.uk

Recruitment team

• Email : hr.services@forestresearch.gov.uk