Principal Economist

Location

The role will be based in Alice Holt, Farnham, Surrey GU10 4LH or in the Forestry Commission Office, Bristol BS16 1EJ. Please be aware that this role can only be worked in the UK and not overseas.

About the job

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. 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 our website.

FR's Centre for Forest Management applies a wide range of expertise to important issues concerning the resilience and value of Britain's trees, woods and forests. As part of this centre, the Forestry Economics Research Unit within FR's Climate Change Research Group aims to provide a world class forest economics research base, recognised for scientific excellence, objective and authoritative advice, and valued for its effective contribution to addressing key issues of forest policy and management. We work with end users and the wider science community to ensure that research is directed to priority issues and helps inform government policy and sector practice.

Our current Principal Economist is partially retiring and transitioning to a part-time role. The successful candidate will take on half of the related responsibilities, guided by the current post-holder.

The Unit currently has 8 team members and is involved in a wide range of interdisciplinary projects. These include ones on the Economics of Woodland Creation , developing a Woodland Water Code , Policy nudges in forestry and agriculture, and Forest Sector modelling. Of the Unit's annual budget (currently over £1 million), roughly one fifth is core funded under programmes on Sustainable Forest Management in the light of environmental change , Markets for forest products and services , and Achieving multiple ecosystem benefits under the Science and Innovation Strategy for GB forestry.

Job description

The purpose of the post is to oversee, manage and develop the work of the Forestry Economics Research Unit in collaboration with the existing Principal Economist. The post-holder will also be expected to collaborate with economists in partner bodies including Forest Services, Forestry England, Forestry and Land Scotland, and Defra. Further building national and international research collaborations, and the Unit's reputation for undertaking high quality, policy-relevant research on the economics of forestry. The person appointed will also help develop, support and mentor junior members of the team.

Key Work Areas:

• Co-lead the Forestry Economics Research Unit guided by the existing post-holder
• Oversee, undertake, quality assure and publish forestry economics research
• Engage with a diverse range of stakeholders (including across Forestry Services and Forestry England, Natural Resources Wales, Welsh Government and Scottish Forestry) to disseminate key findings and develop networks that facilitate development of new projects,
• Develop new research proposals - including generating external funding
• Economic programme and project management, including budgeting
• Staff management and development
• Support the wider Climate Change Research Group through development activities including research planning and project planning, and participation in Senior Management team meetings

Closing date: 11:55 pm on 23 February 2025.