diff --git a/loki/ir/nodes.py b/loki/ir/nodes.py
index 37c54194f..78a24e01f 100644
--- a/loki/ir/nodes.py
+++ b/loki/ir/nodes.py
@@ -11,6 +11,7 @@
 :ref:`internal_representation:Control flow tree`
 """
 
+from abc import abstractmethod
 from collections import OrderedDict
 from dataclasses import dataclass
 from functools import partial
@@ -22,10 +23,11 @@
 from pydantic.dataclasses import dataclass as dataclass_validated
 from pydantic import model_validator
 
+from loki.expression import Variable, parse_expr
+from loki.frontend.source import Source
 from loki.scope import Scope
 from loki.tools import flatten, as_tuple, is_iterable, truncate_string, CaseInsensitiveDict
 from loki.types import DataType, BasicType, DerivedType, SymbolAttributes
-from loki.frontend.source import Source
 
 
 __all__ = [
@@ -329,6 +331,80 @@ def __setstate__(self, s):
         symbol_attrs = s.pop('symbol_attrs', None)
         self._update(**s, symbol_attrs=symbol_attrs, rescope_symbols=True)
 
+    @property
+    @abstractmethod
+    def variables(self):
+        """
+        Return the variables defined in this :any:`ScopedNode`.
+        """
+
+    @property
+    def variable_map(self):
+        """
+        Map of variable names to :any:`Variable` objects
+        """
+        return CaseInsensitiveDict((v.name, v) for v in self.variables)
+
+    def get_symbol(self, name):
+        """
+        Returns the symbol for a given name as defined in its declaration.
+
+        The returned symbol might include dimension symbols if it was
+        declared as an array.
+
+        Parameters
+        ----------
+        name : str
+            Base name of the symbol to be retrieved
+        """
+        return self.get_symbol_scope(name).variable_map.get(name)
+
+    def Variable(self, **kwargs):
+        """
+        Factory method for :any:`TypedSymbol` or :any:`MetaSymbol` classes.
+
+        This invokes the :any:`Variable` with this node as the scope.
+
+        Parameters
+        ----------
+        name : str
+            The name of the variable.
+        type : optional
+            The type of that symbol. Defaults to :any:`BasicType.DEFERRED`.
+        parent : :any:`Scalar` or :any:`Array`, optional
+            The derived type variable this variable belongs to.
+        dimensions : :any:`ArraySubscript`, optional
+            The array subscript expression.
+        """
+        kwargs['scope'] = self
+        return Variable(**kwargs)
+
+    def parse_expr(self, expr_str, strict=False, evaluate=False, context=None):
+        """
+        Uses :meth:`parse_expr` to convert expression(s) represented
+        in a string to Loki expression(s)/IR.
+
+        Parameters
+        ----------
+        expr_str : str
+            The expression as a string
+        strict : bool, optional
+            Whether to raise exception for unknown variables/symbols when
+            evaluating an expression (default: `False`)
+        evaluate : bool, optional
+            Whether to evaluate the expression or not (default: `False`)
+        context : dict, optional
+            Symbol context, defining variables/symbols/procedures to help/support
+            evaluating an expression
+
+        Returns
+        -------
+        :any:`Expression`
+            The expression tree corresponding to the expression
+        """
+        return parse_expr(expr_str, scope=self, strict=strict, evaluate=evaluate, context=context)
+
+
 # Intermediate node types
 
 
@@ -1579,10 +1655,6 @@ def comments(self):
     def variables(self):
         return tuple(flatten([decl.symbols for decl in self.declarations]))
 
-    @property
-    def variable_map(self):
-        return CaseInsensitiveDict((s.name, s) for s in self.variables)
-
     @property
     def imported_symbols(self):
         """
diff --git a/loki/ir/tests/test_scoped_nodes.py b/loki/ir/tests/test_scoped_nodes.py
new file mode 100644
index 000000000..d3bca5a4e
--- /dev/null
+++ b/loki/ir/tests/test_scoped_nodes.py
@@ -0,0 +1,198 @@
+# (C) Copyright 2018- ECMWF.
+# This software is licensed under the terms of the Apache Licence Version 2.0
+# which can be obtained at http://www.apache.org/licenses/LICENSE-2.0.
+# In applying this licence, ECMWF does not waive the privileges and immunities
+# granted to it by virtue of its status as an intergovernmental organisation
+# nor does it submit to any jurisdiction.
+
+# A set of tests for the symbol accessort and management API built into `ScopedNode`.
+
+import pytest
+
+from loki import Module
+from loki.frontend import available_frontends
+from loki.ir import nodes as ir, FindNodes
+from loki.expression import symbols as sym
+from loki.types import BasicType
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize('frontend', available_frontends())
+def test_scoped_node_get_symbols(frontend, tmp_path):
+    """ Test :method:`get_symbol` functionality on scoped nodes. """
+    fcode = """
+module test_scoped_node_symbols_mod
+implicit none
+integer, parameter :: jprb = 8
+
+contains
+  subroutine test_scoped_node_symbols(n, a, b, c)
+    integer, intent(in) :: n
+    real(kind=jprb), intent(inout) :: a(n), b(n), c
+    integer :: i
+
+    a(1) = 42.0_jprb
+
+    associate(d => a)
+    do i=1, n
+      b(i) = a(i) + c
+    end do
+    end associate
+  end subroutine test_scoped_node_symbols
+end module test_scoped_node_symbols_mod
+"""
+    module = Module.from_source(fcode, frontend=frontend, xmods=[tmp_path])
+    routine = module['test_scoped_node_symbols']
+    associate = FindNodes(ir.Associate).visit(routine.body)[0]
+
+    # Check symbol lookup from subroutine
+    assert routine.get_symbol('a') == 'a(n)'
+    assert routine.get_symbol('a').scope == routine
+    assert routine.get_symbol('b') == 'b(n)'
+    assert routine.get_symbol('b').scope == routine
+    assert routine.get_symbol('c') == 'c'
+    assert routine.get_symbol('c').scope == routine    
+    assert routine.get_symbol('jprb') == 'jprb'
+    assert routine.get_symbol('jprb').scope == module
+    assert routine.get_symbol('jprb').initial == 8
+
+    # Check passthrough from the Associate (ScopedNode)
+    assert associate.get_symbol('a') == 'a(n)'
+    assert associate.get_symbol('a').scope == routine
+    assert associate.get_symbol('b') == 'b(n)'
+    assert associate.get_symbol('b').scope == routine
+    assert associate.get_symbol('c') == 'c'
+    assert associate.get_symbol('c').scope == routine
+    assert associate.get_symbol('d') == 'd'
+    assert associate.get_symbol('d').scope == associate
+    assert associate.get_symbol('jprb') == 'jprb'
+    assert associate.get_symbol('jprb').scope == module
+    assert associate.get_symbol('jprb').initial == 8
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize('frontend', available_frontends())
+def test_scoped_node_variable_constructor(frontend, tmp_path):
+    """ Test :any:`Variable` constrcutore on scoped nodes. """
+    fcode = """
+module test_scoped_nodes_mod
+implicit none
+integer, parameter :: jprb = 8
+
+contains
+  subroutine test_scoped_nodes(n, a, b, c)
+    integer, intent(in) :: n
+    real(kind=jprb), intent(inout) :: a(n), b(n), c
+    integer :: i
+
+    a(1) = 42.0_jprb
+
+    associate(d => a)
+    do i=1, n
+      b(i) = a(i) + c
+    end do
+    end associate
+  end subroutine test_scoped_nodes
+end module test_scoped_nodes_mod
+"""
+    module = Module.from_source(fcode, frontend=frontend, xmods=[tmp_path])
+    routine = module['test_scoped_nodes']
+    associate = FindNodes(ir.Associate).visit(routine.body)[0]
+
+    # Build some symbiols and check their type
+    c = routine.Variable(name='c')
+    assert c.type.dtype == BasicType.REAL
+    assert c.type.kind in ('jprb', 8)
+    i = routine.Variable(name='i')
+    assert i.type.dtype == BasicType.INTEGER
+    jprb = routine.Variable(name='jprb')
+    assert jprb.type.dtype == BasicType.INTEGER
+    assert jprb.type.initial == 8
+
+    a_i = routine.Variable(name='a', dimensions=(i,))
+    assert a_i == 'a(i)'
+    assert isinstance(a_i, sym.Array)
+    assert a_i.dimensions == (i,)
+    assert a_i.type.dtype == BasicType.REAL
+    assert a_i.type.kind in ('jprb', 8)
+
+    # Build another, but from the associate node
+    b_i = associate.Variable(name='b', dimensions=(i,))
+    assert b_i == 'b(i)'
+    assert isinstance(b_i, sym.Array)
+    assert b_i.dimensions == (i,)
+    assert b_i.type.dtype == BasicType.REAL
+    assert b_i.type.kind in ('jprb', 8)
+
+
+@pytest.mark.parametrize('frontend', available_frontends())
+def test_scoped_node_parse_expr(frontend, tmp_path):
+    """ Test :any:`Variable` constrcutore on scoped nodes. """
+    fcode = """
+module test_scoped_nodes_mod
+implicit none
+integer, parameter :: jprb = 8
+
+contains
+  subroutine test_scoped_nodes(n, a, b, c)
+    integer, intent(in) :: n
+    real(kind=jprb), intent(inout) :: a(n), b(n), c
+    integer :: i
+
+    a(1) = 42.0_jprb
+
+    associate(d => a)
+    do i=1, n
+      b(i) = a(i) + c
+    end do
+    end associate
+  end subroutine test_scoped_nodes
+end module test_scoped_nodes_mod
+"""
+    module = Module.from_source(fcode, frontend=frontend, xmods=[tmp_path])
+    routine = module['test_scoped_nodes']
+    associate = FindNodes(ir.Associate).visit(routine.body)[0]
+
+    assigns = FindNodes(ir.Assignment).visit(routine.body)
+    assert assigns[0].lhs == 'a(1)'
+    assert assigns[1].rhs == 'a(i) + c'
+
+    # Check that all variables are identified
+    ai_c = routine.parse_expr('a(i)   +   c')
+    assert ai_c == assigns[1].rhs
+    assert isinstance(ai_c, sym.Sum)
+    assert isinstance(ai_c.children[0], sym.Array)
+    assert isinstance(ai_c.children[0].dimensions[0], sym.Scalar)
+    assert isinstance(ai_c.children[1], sym.Scalar)
+    assert ai_c.children[0].scope == routine
+    assert ai_c.children[0].dimensions[0].scope == routine
+    assert ai_c.children[1].scope == routine
+
+    # Check that k is deferred
+    ai_k = routine.parse_expr('a(i) + k')
+    assert isinstance(ai_k, sym.Sum)
+    assert isinstance(ai_k.children[0], sym.Array)
+    assert isinstance(ai_k.children[0].dimensions[0], sym.Scalar)
+    assert isinstance(ai_k.children[1], sym.DeferredTypeSymbol)
+    assert ai_c.children[0].scope == routine
+    assert ai_c.children[0].dimensions[0].scope == routine
+    assert ai_c.children[1].scope == routine
+
+    # Check that all variables are identified
+    ai_c = associate.parse_expr('a(i)   +   c')
+    assert ai_c == assigns[1].rhs
+    assert isinstance(ai_c, sym.Sum)
+    assert isinstance(ai_c.children[0], sym.Array)
+    assert isinstance(ai_c.children[0].dimensions[0], sym.Scalar)
+    assert isinstance(ai_c.children[1], sym.Scalar)
+    assert ai_c.children[0].scope == routine
+    assert ai_c.children[0].dimensions[0].scope == routine
+    assert ai_c.children[1].scope == routine
+
+    # Check that k is deferred
+    ai_k = associate.parse_expr('a(i) + k')
+    assert isinstance(ai_k, sym.Sum)
+    assert isinstance(ai_k.children[0], sym.Array)
+    assert isinstance(ai_k.children[0].dimensions[0], sym.Scalar)
+    assert isinstance(ai_k.children[1], sym.DeferredTypeSymbol)
+    assert ai_c.children[0].scope == routine
+    assert ai_c.children[0].dimensions[0].scope == routine
+    assert ai_c.children[1].scope == routine
diff --git a/loki/program_unit.py b/loki/program_unit.py
index 31ad16f41..5c503811c 100644
--- a/loki/program_unit.py
+++ b/loki/program_unit.py
@@ -7,7 +7,7 @@
 
 from abc import abstractmethod
 
-from loki.expression import Variable
+from loki.expression import Variable, parse_expr
 from loki.frontend import (
     Frontend, parse_omni_source, parse_ofp_source, parse_fparser_source,
     RegexParserClass, preprocess_cpp, sanitize_input
@@ -652,6 +652,65 @@ def symbol_map(self):
             (s.name, s) for s in self.symbols
         )
 
+    def get_symbol(self, name):
+        """
+        Returns the symbol for a given name as defined in its declaration.
+
+        The returned symbol might include dimension symbols if it was
+        declared as an array.
+
+        Parameters
+        ----------
+        name : str
+            Base name of the symbol to be retrieved
+        """
+        return self.get_symbol_scope(name).variable_map.get(name)
+
+    def Variable(self, **kwargs):
+        """
+        Factory method for :any:`TypedSymbol` or :any:`MetaSymbol` classes.
+
+        This invokes the :any:`Variable` with this node as the scope.
+
+        Parameters
+        ----------
+        name : str
+            The name of the variable.
+        type : optional
+            The type of that symbol. Defaults to :any:`BasicType.DEFERRED`.
+        parent : :any:`Scalar` or :any:`Array`, optional
+            The derived type variable this variable belongs to.
+        dimensions : :any:`ArraySubscript`, optional
+            The array subscript expression.
+        """
+        kwargs['scope'] = self
+        return Variable(**kwargs)
+
+    def parse_expr(self, expr_str, strict=False, evaluate=False, context=None):
+        """
+        Uses :meth:`parse_expr` to convert expression(s) represented
+        in a string to Loki expression(s)/IR.
+
+        Parameters
+        ----------
+        expr_str : str
+            The expression as a string
+        strict : bool, optional
+            Whether to raise exception for unknown variables/symbols when
+            evaluating an expression (default: `False`)
+        evaluate : bool, optional
+            Whether to evaluate the expression or not (default: `False`)
+        context : dict, optional
+            Symbol context, defining variables/symbols/procedures to help/support
+            evaluating an expression
+
+        Returns
+        -------
+        :any:`Expression`
+            The expression tree corresponding to the expression
+        """
+        return parse_expr(expr_str, scope=self, strict=strict, evaluate=evaluate, context=context)
+
     @property
     def subroutines(self):
         """