Quantitative Geneticist Forestry Commission - Forest Research (United Kingdom) Salary: �40,388 - �43,482. Appointments to Forest Research are made at the entry level of the salary quoted above except in exceptional circumstances where a candidate's experience and skills may justify a higher starting salary. Normal pay on transfer rules apply for existing civil servants. A Civil Service Pension with an employer contribution of 28.97% Job grade: Higher Executive Officer (Pay Band 4) Length of employment: This is a fixed term appointment until 31 March 2028 with the possibility of extension or permanency but no guarantee. Working pattern: Flexible working, Full-time Location The role will be based at Northern Research Station, Roslin, Midlothian EH25 9SY (Scotland). We offer blended working which gives you the option to work some of the week from home, and some of the week from the workplace. 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 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. The Tree Improvement team was founded in 1948 and lies within the Forest Genetics science group at Forest Research. Our mission is to conduct applied research that leads to continually better genetic resources for the British forestry sector. We are a founding member of the Conifer Breeding Cooperative Ltd. Job description The purpose of this job is to populate and initiate an advanced-generation genetic evaluation system for British conifers, using tools developed by Tree Breeding Australia for "rolling-front tree breeding". The post holder will curate and validate data and metadata from several hundred Sitka spruce and Scots pine progeny trials and enter the data into a new tree breeding database (DATAPLAN). Data will then be analysed together with new field data. The analyses will be used to estimate new national breeding values, select the next breeding generation in Sitka spruce and develop forward breeding strategies for all conifers we currently work on. The role is part of a new project called "NextGen British Conifers" and is funded by members of the Conifer Breeding Cooperative Ltd and the Forestry Commission via the Tree Production Innovation Fund and will be delivered in partnership with Tree Breeding Australia and the Conifer Breeding Cooperative. Key Work Areas: . Populate a breeding database (DATAPLAN) with pedigree information, metadata and data from several hundred historic and extant genetic trials. . Carry out comprehensive spatial and multivariate quantitative genetic analyses of designed forest genetic trials and combine data across trials using the TREEPLAN genetic evaluation system for breeding programmes. Publish findings in scientific journals. . Select the best individual trees from standing genetic trials for further breeding and production work, in accordance with industry-led selection criteria. . Develop realistic, costed breeding plans for multiple conifer species and secure additional funding for further work. . Represent Forest Research and the Conifer Breeding Cooperative at conferences, workshops and discussion groups, and join the Conifer Breeding Cooperative Research and Strategy Group. . A two-to-four-week visit to Tasmania, South Australia, and New Zealand is anticipated to take place in 2027. . Support other analytical aspects of forest genetics research on an ad hoc basis. Person specification Essential Criteria: . Postgraduate qualification in a relevant subject such as genetics or statistics . Significant experience of mixed-models, preferably by applying quantitative genetics in animal, plant or tree improvement programmes . Skills in using or developing repeatable analytical pipelines, preferably using R and AS-REML . A proven track record of successful collaboration and skills in communicating to mixed audiences . An interest in developing domain knowledge and translating findings into practice Desirable Criteria: . Experience or working knowledge of commercial forestry . Experience in using, or literacy in the application of molecular (DNA-based) and high-throughput phenotyping in genetic improvement programmes . Willingness to participate in occasional field work campaigns in Scotland, England, and Wales The closing date for applications is 04 January 2026. Interviews are expected to be 14-16 January 2026. For full listing, visit: https://www.civilservicejobs.service.gov.uk/csr/index.cgi?SID=c2VhcmNoc29ydD1zY29yZSZ1c2Vyc2VhcmNoY29udGV4dD0xNjIwNjgxNTgmb3duZXJ0eXBlPWZhaXImcGFnZWNsYXNzPUpvYnMmcGFnZWFjdGlvbj12aWV3dmFjYnlqb2JsaXN0JmpvYmxpc3Rfdmlld192YWM9MTk3OTAyMyZzZWFyY2hwYWdlPTEmb3duZXI9NTA3MDAwMCZyZXFzaWc9MTc2Mzk4NTMyMy0xNmU0MjcxMjA4MjQ4NWQzY2U5ODExMzVmNjA1M2VmZDcyZTYwMjU1 Enquiries to Richard Whittet, Head of Tree Breeding, Forest Research at richard.whittet@forestresearch.gov.uk Richard Whittet (to subscribe/unsubscribe the EvolDir send mail to golding@mcmaster.ca)