About the job

Job summary

The Laboratory Manager will deliver RBG Kew’s mission by providing support managing the molecular lab allocated to a major programme to sequence 20,000 fungi and lichen specimens held by RBG Kew’s fungarium and the Natural History Museum (NHM). Over a 4-year period, the project will adopt a mixed approach of whole genome sequencing and barcoding techniques. Containing more than 1.25 million specimens including 50,000 type specimens of worldwide origin, Kew’s fungarium is home to the largest and most complete fungal collection in the world, with many specimens being only available at Kew.

Job description

The Laboratory Manager will have overall responsibility for all lab operations related to the project and will directly manage and train the lab team, the post will also be responsible for designing and supervising R&D work and, when needed, contribute with molecular data from fungal collections in order to support the DNA sequencing within the Fungarium Sequencing project. The Laboratory Manager will participate in training programs and contribute to the preparation of scientific outputs.

Person specification

We are seeking candidates with experience in managing molecular labs and supervising the work of lab teams. Experience in high throughput sequencing, genomics techniques and R&D is essential. Knowledge of UK Health and Safety regulations and SOP preparation, as well as basic bioinformatics and statistics is expected.  Experience working with fungi will be a plus. You will have a degree, or a relevant equivalent qualification, in a science discipline.

The Laboratory Manager position is a 1-year, fixed-term position within the Science Directorate. You will be based at Kew and the NHM, with some UK travel required. Please kindly note total hours per week are 36 hours.

Interviews are due to take place during week commencing 1st July.

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.