Software Engineer for Forest Research

This role can be based in Northern Research Station, Roslin, Midlothian, EH25 9SY or in Alice Holt Lodge, Farnham, GU10 4LH with blended working, which gives you the option to work some of the week from home, and some of the week from the workplace. You will be asked to express a location preference during the application process. 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 (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 (FC), 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 www.forestresearch.gov.uk

The post is split between the Forest Mensuration, Growth and Yield Science Group and the National Forest Inventory (NFI) Team within the Forest Information & Statistics Group.

The Mensuration, Growth and Yield team aims to improve the scientific understanding of how to assess and manage forests and wood products. This would enhance their contributions to mitigating climate change and supplying sustainable timber and biomass. Our work is focused on 5 main areas: tree and timber measurement; forest growth modelling; forest carbon balance modelling; evaluation of wood supply chains; development of practical decision support tools. We achieve our aims using a range of scientific methods including monitoring a network of permanent forest research plots, developing remote sensing methods and mathematical models, policy analysis, life cycle assessment and literature reviews. The team comprises 24 staff who are spread across Great Britain either based at Alice Holt or Northern Research Stations.

The NFI programme monitors the location, extent and condition of woodlands throughout Great Britain. The multidisciplinary NFI team includes data engineers, analysts, statisticians, mapping and remote sensing specialists, and field data collection experts.

Job Description

Forest Research’s Timber Forecast reporting provides the UK’s authoritative outlook on how Great Britain’s woodlands may change over time under alternative management scenarios. Our timber availability and growing stock reports are significant drivers for the UK timber industry and inform key policy decisions.

Supporting the publication of these Forecast reports is the Production Forecast System software. This takes woodland inventory data and applies growth and yield models to project woodland development into the future under a range of management scenarios. This bespoke software is a critical component of Forest Research’s reporting capability.

Forecasting is a complex process that requires a deep understanding of existing tool documentation, model assumptions, statistical methodologies, data sources, and process workflows.

We are seeking to appoint a permanent Software Engineer to increase capacity for forecasting software support at Forest Research and to lead the ongoing development and evolution of the Production Forecast System. This will include incorporating new technologies and additional data sources.

The successful candidate will be an enthusiastic self-starter, motivated to take responsibility for an important and complex legacy system. They will have the opportunity to enhance the system by improving functionality and efficiency throughout the workflow, thereby increasing its relevance, robustness, and impact for the GB timber sector. On-the-job training will be provided in specialist areas such as the data sources, forecast methodology, and how the Production Forecast outputs will be used.

Key Work Areas

The Post-holder’s Main Responsibilities Will Be To:

• Increase the capacity and resilience in the delivery of the Production Reports by developing a deep technical understanding of the Production Forecast System.
• Work collaboratively across teams to support the understanding of the Production Forecast System capabilities and functionality.
• Lead a programme of improvements to future-proof the Production Forecast System.
• Lead on delivering new software tools for use across FR and externally.
  
  

Forest Research’s Timber Forecast reporting provides the UK’s authoritative outlook on how Great Britain’s woodlands may change over time under alternative management scenarios. Our timber availability and growing stock reports are significant drivers for the UK timber industry and inform key policy decisions.

Supporting the publication of these Forecast reports is the Production Forecast System software. This takes woodland inventory data and applies growth and yield models to project woodland development into the future under a range of management scenarios. This bespoke software is a critical component of Forest Research’s reporting capability.

Forecasting is a complex process that requires a deep understanding of existing tool documentation, model assumptions, statistical methodologies, data sources, and process workflows.

We are seeking to appoint a permanent Software Engineer to increase capacity for forecasting software support at Forest Research and to lead the ongoing development and evolution of the Production Forecast System. This will include incorporating new technologies and additional data sources.

The successful candidate will be an enthusiastic self-starter, motivated to take responsibility for an important and complex legacy system. They will have the opportunity to enhance the system by improving functionality and efficiency throughout the workflow, thereby increasing its relevance, robustness, and impact for the GB timber sector. On-the-job training will be provided in specialist areas such as the data sources, forecast methodology, and how the Production Forecast outputs will be used.

Key Work Areas

The Post-holder’s Main Responsibilities Will Be To:

• Increase the capacity and resilience in the delivery of the Production Reports by developing a deep technical understanding of the Production Forecast System.
• Work collaboratively across teams to support the understanding of the Production Forecast System capabilities and functionality.
• Lead a programme of improvements to future-proof the Production Forecast System.
• Lead on delivering new software tools for use across FR and externally.
  
  

Person specification

Primarily, we are looking for someone with enthusiasm for working in the forestry sector, passionate about making a difference and playing their part in tackling the climate and nature crises. The successful candidate will be an experienced Software Engineer that is familiar with the full life cycle of software development. As they will be working across teams at Forest Research, they will have a track record of delivering projects via collaborative working and supporting colleagues.

Essential Criteria:

• Proficient in C# and C++ programming.
• Proven ability to successfully develop computer software and have an understanding of the software development lifecycle. This includes system architecture design through to implementation, testing, deployment, documentation and ongoing maintenance.
• Experience in working as part of a delivery team, leading on aspects of development work.
  
  

Desirable Criteria:

• Enthusiasm for forestry and/or climate change mitigation.

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• Experience in database design and development, with SQL skills and relational database management systems.
• Hands-on experience working with COM objects for integration and interoperability within Windows-based applications.
• Problem solving and delivering a range of possible solutions, including through technical work and process improvement.
• Using and maintaining source code version repositories using Git.
  
  

Behaviours

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

• Changing and Improving
• Managing a Quality Service
• Working Together
  
  

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

• Changing and Improving
  
  

Technical skills

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

• C# programming
• C++ programming
  
  

Alongside your salary of £40,388, Forestry Commission - Forest Research contributes £11,700 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

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• 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/.

Artificial intelligence

Artificial intelligence can be a useful tool to support your application, however, all examples and statements provided must be truthful, factually accurate and taken directly from your own experience. Where plagiarism has been identified (presenting the ideas and experiences of others, or generated by artificial intelligence, as your own) applications may be withdrawn and internal candidates may be subject to disciplinary action. Please see our candidate guidance (opens in a new window) for more information on appropriate and inappropriate use.

Selection process details

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

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.
• Submit a 250-word Statement for the behaviour Changing & Improving.
  
  

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 week commencing 6 April 2026.

Interviews are planned to take place on 21 and 23 April on MS Teams.

Applicants invited to attend for interview will be required to prepare a short (5 minute) presentation outlining a project they have worked on previously where they gained relevant skills and experience that is relevant to the job description. This will be assessed against the essential criteria for the role and your relevant experience.

At the Interview stage, you will also be assessed on the following:

• C# and C++ programming
• 3 Civil Service behaviours: Changing and Improving, Managing a Quality Service, and Working Together.
  
  

If we receive a large volume of applications, then we will sift on CV and the Personal Statement. 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.

Visa Sponsorship

FR Holds a Licence To Sponsor Skilled Workers Under The Home Office Points-based Immigration System. Candidates Wishing To Apply Should Note That The Likelihood Of Obtaining Sponsorship Would Depend On An Assessment Of This Role Against Defined Criteria, Which Include:

• Whether the Job role has been identified as being a Critical Role in FR, which has been identified in the Workforce Plan, and / or
• Whether the Job role is a known Capability gap, which has been identified in the Workforce Plan for the relevant Centre, and
• Evidence of significant recruitment challenges in filling the Job role previously
  
  

Skilled Worker sponsorship may be available, subject to an application and assessment process and the Home Office points-based system.

For further details, please refer to the Sponsorship for Skilled Workers – guidance for applicants and managers on our website.

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, Experience and Technical skills.

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

Recruitment team

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

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: hr.services@forestresearch.gov.uk you are not satisfied with the response you receive, you can contact the Civil Service Commission, which regulates all Civil Service recruitment.