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Title  

Social Scientist

Reference     (Please mention Stopdodo/Environment Jobs in your application)
Sectors   Terrestrial / Aquatic Ecology & Conservation
Location   England (South East) - UK
Town/City   Potential to be based at one of the following locations: Farnham, South East, GU10 4LH, Roslin, Midlothian, EH25 9SY, Bristol, or Wales.
Salary   Term Appointment (January 2019 for 9 months) at Forest Research, £25,294 - £28,008, plus benefits.
Type   Fixed Term and Permanent Roles
Status   Full Time
Level   Mid Level
Deadline   17/10/2018
Company Name   Forestry Commission
Contact Name   HR
Website   Further Details / Applications
Also Listing:
Description  

As part of the Forestry Commission, Forest Research (FR) is one of the world’s leading institutes in research focused on woodlands and forestry and has a strong international reputation for excellent applied and interdisciplinary research. Work is undertaken for the Forestry Commission, a number of other government departments and a wide range of other customers and clients (including research councils, the European Union, local authorities, and non-governmental organisations). Collaboration across disciplines and partnerships with other research organisations in the UK and internationally is strongly encouraged.

The post holder will be a member of the Social and Economic Research Group, within the Centre for Ecosystems, Society and Biosecurity (CESB) – one of three thematic centres within Forest Research. The Centre leads FR's research into biosecurity threats, ecosystem robustness and resilience, land use and ecosystem services, and the ways in which society values trees. Programmes within the Centre focus strongly on interdisciplinary research, using the mix of disciplines within FR to address some of the many complex social and environmental problems facing those concerned with Britain’s trees woods and forests.

The Social and Economic Research Group (SERG) sits within CESB. The group develops scientific understanding and practical advice on a range of social, cultural, governance and economic issues relating to the use, engagement and management of British trees and forests.

The key responsibilities for the role will include:

The post holder will carry out research to contribute to the understanding of the relationships between forestry and society and the socio-economic factors that can influence sustainable forest management and the decisions of land managers and publics.

1. Assist with the collection of qualitative and quantitative data on the use, management, and the associated wellbeing benefits of trees and woodlands.
2. Assist with the analysis of quantitative data using statistical and socio-economic or econometric approaches, and of qualitative data through thematic analysis.
3. Contribute to the project management tasks for research and evaluation contracts.
4. Work with other members of the Social and Economic Research Group and in an interdisciplinary way with other scientists across FR and its partners to develop research plans, survey questions and interview guides, and protocols for gathering and reviewing existing evidence.
5. Interpret and report on a range of data, including contributing to technical reports, research summaries, website and social media content, and scientific publications.

Experience and Professional/Technical Expertise

Essential
Degree in the area of social science/socio-economics of land use, agricultural economics, ecological economics, social science with economics modules.
Experience of successful social/socio-economic research e.g. developing research questions, data-gathering, data analysis and reporting.
Experience in social/socio-economic science respondent data gathering, fieldwork and analysis of data

Competent user of IT

High standard of verbal and written communication and experience of knowledge exchange with a range of stakeholders

Desirable
Attained or close to attaining a postgraduate qualification with substantial social/socio-economic science content within an environmental setting
Skilled in a range of data collection techniques, and particularly in quantitative data gathering and analysis.
A broad understanding of social science and / or ecological economic issues and theories, particularly as they relate to environmental, and forestry issues.
Understanding of the use of evaluations and appropriate methods to describe the outcomes and impacts of specific programmes and policies.
Experience of working collaboratively in a multi-project team environment to achieve results.
Proficient in technical report writing and preparation of scientific papers.

For more information and to apply, please visit our website:

www.forestry.gov.uk/vacancies

Contact point for applicants

0300 067 5652

hr.services.fr@forestry.gsi.gov.uk

Please quote ref 1602439. Closing date: 17 October 2018, 23:59

No recruitment agencies please.

 

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