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Join the UNESCO World Heritage Site, The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew as a Senior Research Technical Specialist in seed banking, playing a central role in fostering innovation and sustainability in seed conservation.
Overview
Salary
£39243
Location
Wakehurst, West Sussex, UK - Hybrid
Expires
Expires at anytime
The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (RBG Kew) is a world leader in plant science and a major visitor attraction. Our mission reflects our dedication to understand, conserve and sustainably manage the world's plant and fungal biodiversity, using our cutting-edge scientific research, global network of partnerships, wide-ranging collections, and inspirational gardens. As a Senior Research Technical Specialist in seed banking within our MSBP Next Level Training Project, you will coordinate activities related to seed banking innovations. Your roles will include:
- Coordinating experimental and analytical works
- Supporting both high-tech and low-cost seed conservation methods
- Providing specialist training in laboratory best practices to staff, students, visitors, and external partners
You should have a minimum education level of 4 (e.g., HNC) and possess relevant technical or scientific knowledge and skills. You should have experience in seed banking scientific procedures and best practices, including health and safety and environmental sustainability. Good communication, interpersonal skills, and the ability to coordinate work across teams are essential for this role. Experience in delivering training and knowledge of facilities and equipment management would be a bonus. Our comprehensive benefits package includes lifelong learning opportunities, a generous leave entitlement, flexible work arrangements, wellbeing support, a competitive pension, discounts, and free entry to numerous national museums and galleries, as well as our 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 Senior Research Technical Specialist in seed banking, you will coordinate the experimental, analytical, and partnership activities required to bring forward promising seed banking innovations. This includes supporting both high-tech and low-cost approaches relevant to RBG Kew and its Millennium Seed Bank partners around the world. This is a new Fixed Term role within our MSBP Next Level Training Project, where you will undertake and analyze the effectiveness of relevant laboratory and research procedures, document and disseminate new or improved seed conservation methods (NISCMs), and provide specialist training to staff, students, visitors, and external partners in accordance with good laboratory practice.
Job requirements: Educated to at least level 4 (e.g., HNC), you should bring knowledge and skills gained through relevant technical or scientific roles to coordinate the experimental and analytical work that is central to this post. You will have experience of a range of scientific procedures applicable to seed banking, and good working knowledge of best practice including H&S and environmental sustainability. You will also have clear spoken and written communication, and strong interpersonal skills in order to proactively coordinate work across science teams and provide supervision to interns and training to staff, students, and visitors. Desirable for this role would be experience of developing or delivering training, and knowledge of facilities and equipment management, including in an international and/or lower cost context.
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.
