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Join the world-leading plant science institute, RBG Kew, in preserving global biodiversity as a Digital Curator for Microscope Slides.
Overview
Salary
£34216 - £34577
Location
Kew Gardens, Richmond, UK - Hybrid
Expires
Expires at anytime
Organisation summary
At the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (RBG Kew), we are passionate about understanding and protecting plants and fungi for the well-being of people and all life on Earth. As a World Heritage Site and renowned institute, we offer extensive opportunities for learning and development amid our 260 years of history and partnerships. We work towards ending the extinction crisis and creating a world where nature is cared for, valued, and managed sustainably.
Role Summary
- Participating in the Digital Collections team
- Work on the digitisation of our extensive microscope slide collection
- Devise new methods and workflows for digitisation tasks
- Contribute to trait analysis and plant authentication using the slide collection
Role Requirements
- Experience in collections handling, data entry, and digital imaging
- Knowledge of Microscope Slide preparation relating to plant micromorphology
- Previous lab experience
- Interest in contributing to the next phase of digitisation and development of digitisation workflows especially for the Microscope Slide collection
Application Process Details
- We offer opportunities for continuous learning
- Generous annual leave entitlement, flexible working to help maintain a healthy work-life balance
- An Employee Assistance Programme, cycle to work scheme, competitive pension, and discounted gym membership
- Free entry into a wide range of national museums and galleries along with access to our own beautiful gardens at Kew and Wakehurst
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: As a Digital Curator for Microscope Slides, you will be part of the Digital Collections team at RBG Kew. This role offers an exciting opportunity to develop new workflows and methods for the digitisation of our microscope slide collection, which is the largest of its kind worldwide. The collection includes around 150,000 slides from a diverse range of plant taxa, featuring leaf surfaces and sections, pollen, wood, roots, and chromosomes. These slides are a unique resource for trait analysis and plant authentication.
Job requirements: The ideal candidate will have a proven background in collections handling, data entry, and digital imaging. Knowledge of Microscope Slide preparation, especially concerning plant micromorphology, is required. Previous experience working in a lab is essential. This post would suit someone with an interest in contributing to the next phase of digitisation and who has enthusiasm for the ongoing development of digitisation workflows and procedures, particularly in relation to the Microscope Slide collection.
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 a 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.
