Science Officer (Policy Engagement and Data Management)

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (RBG Kew) is a leading plant science institute, UNESCO World Heritage Site, and major visitor attraction. Our mission is to understand and protect plants and fungi for the well-being of people and the future of all life on Earth. We are working to end the unprecedented extinction crisis and to help create a world where nature is protected, valued by all and managed sustainably. We will achieve these goals by drawing on our leading scientific research, unrivalled collections of plants and fungi, global network of partners, inspirational gardens at Kew and Wakehurst, and our 260 years of history. Join us on our journey as protectors of the world’s plants and fungi.

The role: We are seeking an enthusiastic individual to join Kew’s Mycorrhizal Ecology team and contribute to the Natural Capital and Ecosystem Assessment (NCEA) programme, one of Kew’s largest Defra-funded projects. The successful candidate will help to connect the data products being generated by the team with the needs of government policy end-users. This will involve extensive desk-based research and direct engagement through various channels (including workshops, emails, meetings, and written briefings) with policymakers, to build a collaborative two-way information-sharing network that maximises research impacts on policy and stakeholder appreciation of our science. It will also involve understanding and managing the suite of mycorrhizal data products being generated by the Kew team.

Job requirements: Educated to MSc/MRes degree level or above, or with equivalent professional experience, and with a proven background working with government policy and data management. Applicants should have a strong interest in working at the interface between science and policy, and in facilitating a working relationship between these two disciplines. They should have a baseline understanding of mycorrhizal fungi and their role in ecosystems; and they should be ready to work as part of a thriving team, to deliver ecological data outputs that are practically useful for supporting long-term improvements in the natural environment in England.

Benefits: Our fantastic benefits package includes opportunities for continuous learning, a generous annual leave entitlement, flexible working to help you maintain a healthy work-life balance, an Employee Assistance Programme and other wellbeing support such as cycle to work scheme and discounted gym membership. We also offer a competitive pension, an employee discount scheme and free entry into a wide range of national museums and galleries, as well as access to our own beautiful gardens at Kew and Wakehurst.