Responsibilities

The successful candidate’s key work areas include:

• Lead the development and implementation of a vision and priorities for FR’s tree breeding work.

• Lead, manage, and develop FR’s tree breeding team including an assistant tree breeder, a tissue culture scientist and technician

• Lead and manage tree breeding projects and budgets

• Maintain existing strong collaborations with other specialists in FR such as those responsible for DNA-marker technology, wood properties and tree health

• Implement the Science and Innovation Strategy for Forestry in Britain as it applies to tree breeding. This includes: calculating breeding values, heritabilities, and genetic correlations between traits and other genetic variables as necessary using new and historic data collected from field trials; developing breeding plans for species and traits of interest; maintaining all relevant existing field trials and clone banks; commissioning assessments and new genetic field trials; processing data as required; ensuring that databases are well maintained

• Seek new sources of relevant external funds to support and grow the breeding work and manage existing contracts

• Act as FR’s lead expert on tree breeding, including providing advice and representing FR in discussions with external partners and funders to assist in: directing the National Tree Improvement Strategy and implementing its Action Plan; developing future plans for genomic breeding; assisting Future Trees Trust in their genetic improvement of various broadleaved species; and advising the Conifer Breeding Co-operative

• Communicate key messages and findings by preparing internal reports, trade and scientific publications and by giving presentations relating to all aspects of tree breeding and its relevance in the forestry policy of the GB countries

Essential Criteria

• A proven track record as an applied quantitative tree breeder and a good knowledge of forest management with Great Britain

• Excellent communication and stakeholder engagement skills, e.g. with representatives of industry, academia, policy makers and budget holders

• Experience and expertise in managing teams, projects and substantial budgets

•Track record in winning project funds

• Good track record of published outputs and research impact

• PhD or equivalent in tree breeding

• We require the applicant to have a full current driving licence that enables them to drive in the UK. We will however consider any proposals that would allow applicants to do the job by other means

Desirable Criteria

• Familiarity with DNA-marker techniques and their potential use in tree breeding

• Familiarity with VSNi Software such as ASREML

• Good track record of scientific papers and publications in various forms of the popular press

Behaviours

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

• Leadership
• Making Effective Decisions
• Working Together
• Managing a Quality Service