Location
Wrecclesham, with split working between Northern Research Station, Roslin and Alice Holt Lodge, Farnham, Surrey.
Hours
Full Time
Salary
£33,854 per annum
About the Role
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 increasing pests and diseases, our research is vital. We advise on how woodlands can help combat climate change, identify tree species that will thrive in the future, and safeguard species at risk. Our research supports UK timber production, reducing carbon emissions, and provides robust data on forests in Scotland, Wales and England, demonstrating the societal benefits of woodland. We utilise the latest technology and work collaboratively with academia, partners and industry nationally and internationally.
Within FR’s Centre for Forest Management, the Forestry Economics Research Unit in the Climate Change Research Group delivers outstanding forestry economics research, providing scientific excellence, objective and authoritative advice to inform forest policy and management. The unit works on interdisciplinary projects including forest sector modelling, agroforestry, policy nudges, and development of a Woodland Water Code to encourage private sector investment in woodland creation for water benefits. Current projects include optimal rotation length modelling and economics of climate change adaptation and mitigation.
The Assistant Economist will support the economics team on projects related to mitigation and adaptation to climate change. Key projects include:
- Development of a Forest Sector Model combining forest dynamics with economic markets to run climate scenarios
- Developing a timber evidence base using novel Bayesian hierarchical structural time-series models to forecast timber utilisation
- Compound risks analysis using Bayesian Decision Theory for economic optimisation under climate uncertainty
- Economics of tree pests and diseases assessing economic impacts and cost effectiveness of management options
The role involves literature and evidence reviews, data collection and quality assurance, econometric and data analysis under senior economist supervision, report writing, and stakeholder engagement. The post holder will also contribute to new economic research and support external income generation through bid writing.
This role requires a strong understanding of core economic principles and their application to environmental economic topics, contributing directly to forestry policy making in Great Britain.
Experience
Some experience in environmental or ecological economics through university modules and/or work experience. Significant data analysis skills including data validation and descriptive statistics. Experience working independently and collaboratively within a team.
About you
Good verbal and written communication skills, including report writing. Highly competent IT user, especially with MS Office and MS Excel. Ability to apply microeconomic theory to environmental topics. Interest in decision theory, risk modelling, economic optimisation, cost benefit analysis, and time series econometrics is desirable. Coding skills in R and/or Python, experience with spatial software such as ArcGIS, and experience in raising external income are advantageous but not essential.
Qualifications
Degree in Economics or joint degree with majority (over 50%) economics course credits/components. Demonstrated ability to apply microeconomic theory and perform econometric analysis. A positive attitude towards learning and professional development is essential.
