Compulsory redundancies at the James Hutton Institute will be announced on Monday.
It is understood that up to 25 people at the publicly-funded research body could be forced to leave their jobs as the centre attempts to fill a £2.5 million funding shortfall due to cuts.
Management announced a voluntary exit scheme earlier in the summer with the objective of shedding 70 posts.
Despite extending the redundancy scheme deadline, it now appears that only 45 people have agreed to leave voluntarily and the gap could have to be filled with compulsory layoffs.
A spokesman for the institute said they were doing everything they could to help staff members, including offering free career transition support to those leaving with the aim of helping them secure new employment, which will include outplacements and CV development advice.
Additionally, a counselling helpline and free legal advice has also been made available to provide support to those leaving, according to the institute.
Chief executive Professor Iain Gordon said: “After a complex and challenging process which involved regular consultation with staff and unions, we are freeing up the required resources and capital necessary to invest in the future, ensure our long-term sustainability and capitalise on the great opportunities for Scottish science.
“The institute has ambitious plans for the future to grow the organisation and secure its place as the world leader in its field, which will ultimately create more jobs and deliver higher impact research in the longer term.
“As we embark on this journey, I’d like to thank James Hutton Institute staff members for their continued support and loyalty during this difficult time,” he said.
More than 600 staff are employed on the institute’s two main sites at Mylnefield, Invergowrie, and Craigiebuckler in Aberdeen.
No indication has yet been given over where the axe will fall and how many scientific posts will go.