About the job

Job summary

We are seeking applications from promising early-career scientists with interesting, innovative, and viable research ideas for the Future Leader Fellowship in Plant and Fungal Science. 

The Future Leader Fellowship in Plant and Fungal Science provides a unique opportunity for early-career researchers to develop their scientific portfolio and skills in a vibrant research environment, working with colleagues in Kew Science to make substantial contributions to challenges facing humanity.  

Kew offers five Future Leader Fellowships each year, aligned across our Research Priorities. This Fellowship is within the Ecosystem Stewardship Priority of the Kew Science Strategy. The successful candidate may be based at Kew or Wakehurst (or both). 

Job description

The post represents an exciting opportunity for a talented and motivated early career researcher to contribute to the delivery of the Ecosystem Stewardship Priority of the RBG Kew Science strategy. They will do so by undertaking innovative, data-driven research that progresses one or more of the Priority’s three initiatives: Ecosystem Assessment, Nature-based Solutions (NbS) and Biodiversity Metrics.   

The priority is conducting research into evidence-led protection of biodiversity and ecosystem services, while seeking and evaluating nature-based solutions to urgent and pressing societal challenges at national, regional and global scales in the UK and other biodiversity-rich locations using both RBG, Kew’s varied collections of plants and fungi and in situ biodiversity.  

The post holder’s proposed contribution should fit with and take forward the over-arching aim of at least one of the Priority’s Initiatives. For Ecosystem Assessment, the target is to develop innovative tools enabling protection and prioritisation of ecosystems, species and natural resources, In Nature-based Solutions, we are generating evidence on how biodiversity can help solve societal challenges, and implementing solutions, Under the Biodiversity Metrics initiative the team is developing and applying innovative ways of quantifying and monitoring biodiversity to enhance its protection.  

Person specification

You will bring experience gained during a PhD, and perhaps postdoctoral roles, in an aspect of biodiversity science or other discipline relevant to Ecosystem Stewardship. You will have the potential or proven ability to plan, undertake, analyse, and communicate your research to a diverse range of stakeholders in order to achieve impact.  

As well as accessing Kew’s fantastic collections, academic culture and national and international research networks, you will work directly with and be part of a team lead by a senior researcher. Your work will link to on one or more of those team’s research foci: a) conservation genetics, b) molecular ecology, c) spatial phylogenetics, e) conservation assessment and analysis, f) seed biology associated with NbS and/or g) ecosystem stewardship in the UK’s overseas territories. You will bring valuable new ideas and approaches to the team, initiatives and priority whilst gaining from the guidance of a mentor and coach with experience of the key components of a research career. 

Applicants must include a research CV and a research plan as attachments on their online application form. The research plan does not have a set format but should not exceed three sides of A4. The research plan should provide an outline of what your plans would be for the four-year Fellowship, which will then be developed into a full research plan in collaboration with your line manager if successful. 

Interviews are likely to take place between 20 May and 7 June, with the Fellowship commencing in September 2024. 

This role is based at Kew or Wakehurst with the option of regular home working, subject to operational requirements.

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.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

If you are interested in this position, please submit your application via the Kew Gardens website. 

We are dedicated to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from all sections of the community. We are committed to interview disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post.

No agencies please.

Feedback will only be provided if you attend an interview or assessment.

Security

Successful candidates must undergo a criminal record check. People working with government assets must complete baseline personnel security standard (opens in new window) checks.

Nationality requirements

This job is broadly open to the following groups:

• UK nationals
• nationals of the Republic of Ireland
• nationals of Commonwealth countries who have the right to work in the UK
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities with settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS) (opens in a new window)
• nationals of the EU, Switzerland, Norway, Iceland or Liechtenstein and family members of those nationalities who have made a valid application for settled or pre-settled status under the European Union Settlement Scheme (EUSS)
• individuals with limited leave to remain or indefinite leave to remain who were eligible to apply for EUSS on or before 31 December 2020
• Turkish nationals, and certain family members of Turkish nationals, who have accrued the right to work in the Civil Service

Further information on nationality requirements (opens in a new window)

Working for the Civil Service

The Civil Service Code (opens in a new window) sets out the standards of behaviour expected of civil servants.

We recruit by merit on the basis of fair and open competition, as outlined in the Civil Service Commission's recruitment principles (opens in a new window). The Civil Service embraces diversity and promotes equal opportunities. As such, we run a Disability Confident Scheme (DCS) for candidates with disabilities who meet the minimum selection criteria.