Centre for Forest Protection Internship - Grey Squirrel Bark Stripping Behaviour

Job summary

Part of the Forestry Commission family, Forest Research (FR) is a world leader in applied forest science, providing evidence and practical solutions to policy makers, forestry professionals, land managers and anyone with green space, across Great Britain. With climate and biodiversity in crisis, and an increasing number of pests and diseases, our research is more vital than ever before. We advise on how woodlands can help combat climate change. We’re identifying tree species that will thrive in the future and seeking ways to safeguard those species at risk. Our research supports UK timber production because fewer imports reduce carbon emissions. We provide robust data on forests in Scotland, Wales and England, and provide evidence of the societal benefits of woodland. We do all this utilising the latest technology while working collaboratively with academia, partners and industry, nationally and internationally.

The Centre for Forest Protection (CFP) is a Defra-funded research collaboration between Forest Research and the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew. The Centre focuses on protecting the future of trees and woodlands through innovative, collaborative, interdisciplinary and future-focused research. The Centre has an established internship programme providing hands-on experience, allowing you to apply academic knowledge in a real-world setting while developing practical skills, confidence, and professional networks. You will be able to explore career paths and gain insights into workplace expectations, whilst working alongside world class scientists and researchers at state-of-the-art facilities. This is an exciting opportunity to help develop novel methods to understand and mitigate grey squirrel bark stripping behaviour.

Job description

Key Work Areas:

This innovative project aims to understand the chemical drivers of grey squirrel behaviour and develop methods to understand the behavioural causes using novel applications of biologging and machine learning methods, creating a foundation for future mitigation strategies. We are investigating squirrel damage from the perspectives of the tree (O1) and the squirrel (O2) by combining principles of chemical ecology, behavioural ecology and movement ecology to achieve the following two objectives:

1. To identify the chemical basis of an antifeedant present in trees that are resistant to grey squirrel bark-stripping damage.
2. To develop and test novel applications of biologging techniques, machine learning and innovative dead-reckoning methods into a ‘tool-kit’ for understanding the bark-stripping behaviour of wild grey squirrels.

You will be involved in the following tasks:

• Coding video footage for grey squirrel behaviour using Behavioural Observation Research Interactive Software (BORIS). You will use a predetermined ethogram to collect behavioural data on habituation to volatile chemicals in free-ranging individuals and/or bark-stripping behaviour in captive individuals.
• Assisting with the behavioural classification of accelerometer data collected from grey squirrel collars, using machine learning techniques or a Boolean approach developed by Swansea University.
• Conducting thorough grey squirrel impact assessments within broadleaf woodlands
• Conducting grey squirrel density estimates within broadleaf woodlands following a published camera trapping method.
• Carrying out fieldwork to support tasks within this internship.

Examples of training/experience that you may expect to receive during the internship:

• Training in undertaking grey squirrel tree impact surveys and assessing grey squirrel density using standardised methods.
• Introduction to machine learning, processing and analysis of accelerometer data using programming language R and Daily Diary Movement Trace software (DDMT).
• Experience working in a multi-disciplinary team to understand an economically and ecologically important woodland mammal species.
• Complementary activities and visits.
• Soft skills and opportunities to share your work.

Person specification

• Have good attention to detail.
• Possess the ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Demonstrate good verbal and written communication skills.
• Possess the ability to listen, learn and adapt.
• Be a self-starter able to manage their own time effectively.

Essential Criteria:

• An undergraduate degree in a related discipline.
• Some experience of conducting fieldwork.
• Some experience of conducting wildlife surveys of related activity.
• Be prepared to travel and stay away for fieldwork as required.

Desirable Criteria:

The below criteria are desirable only. These will not be assessed throughout the recruitment process, but will be used in the event of tied scores between candidates.

• Some experience of behavioural coding using an ethogram.
• Some experience using the programming language R.

Behaviours

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

• Working Together
• Communicating and Influencing
• Delivering at Pace

Benefits

Alongside your salary of £26,959, Forestry Commission - Forest Research contributes £7,810 towards you being a member of the Civil Service Defined Benefit Pension scheme. Find out what benefits a Civil Service Pension provides (opens in a new window).

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% of your salary
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/.

Things you need to know

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 and Experience.

Please note: Applicants are only eligible to participate in one Centre for Forest Protection internship; prior participants will not be considered.

Please apply at Civil Service Jobs - GOV.UK. You will be asked to:

• Complete a CV setting out your experience, highlighting specific responsibilities and achievements that are relevant for this role.
• Submit a Personal Statement – (limited to 750 words) explaining how your skills, qualities and experience make you a strong candidate for this role and how you expect this internship to enhance your development as a forest protection scientist/researcher or professional

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 is planned to take place in week commencing 20th - 22nd July 2026

Interviews are planned to take place via MS Teams on 6th & 7th August 2026

Should a large number of applications be received, an initial sift may be undertaken using the Personal Statement. Candidates who pass the initial sift will progress to a full sift. Candidates will be expected to answer questions on the following 3 Behaviours at the interview stage, Communicating & Influencing, Delivering at Pace and Working Together.

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.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

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.

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.

Diversity and Inclusion

The Civil Service is committed to attract, retain and invest in talent wherever it is found. To learn more please see theCivil Service People Plan (opens in a new window) and the Civil Service Diversity and Inclusion Strategy (opens in a new window).

Apply and further information

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.