About the job

Job summary

The Research Assistant will contribute to the project “Biodiversity metrics for conservation management in the British Virgin Islands. Cutting-edge scientific methods will quantify native biodiversity in the British Virgin Islands (BVI) by collecting all BVI’s angiosperm species. Three biodiversity metrics (phylogenetic diversity, species richness and species threat assessments) will be estimated to direct biodiversity conservation action and management, ecological restoration, and research planning to respond to current biodiversity loss and climate change. Capacity building for local stakeholders will provide new skills to estimate and integrate biodiversity metrics into decision making and planning habitat restoration in key areas. The role will be focused on assisting with the spatial analysis component of the project by modelling specie distributions and combining them with the other data generated by the project to contribute to conservation/restoration planning.

Job description

- Education to BSc, MSc or equivalent in an appropriate subject (i.e. biological sciences, genetics, environmental sciences).

- Experience in handling large biological (or other) datasets

- Experience in statistical analysis in R programme (or any other language) and overall statistical knowledge.

- Experience of contributing to research papers

Person specification

- Be able to prioritise own workload and manage own time effectively

- IT skills to maintain and update databases

- Be able to conduct statistical analysis with large datasets

Please upload a copy of your research CV to support your application. This should include your publication and funding record, as well as any other relevant information to demonstrate your track record as a research scientist e.g. scientific honours and panel / committee memberships, PhD supervision etc.

This role is based at Kew 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.