About the job

Job summary

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Seed Collections Team at the Millennium Seed Bank, Wakehurst. The post will support the delivery of the “Global Tree Seed Bank – Unlocked” the fourth phase of Kew’s exciting initiative to secure, research, and make available, seed collections from the world’s most important and threatened tree species.

The postholder will join the Seed Collections Team and will support the aims of the ‘Global Tree Seed Bank: Unlocked’ project by processing and safeguarding the living seed collections held at the Millennium Seed Bank (MSB). In particular, by carrying out viability testing and preparing seed collections for distribution and duplication.

Job description

You will be educated to BSc Degree level (or equivalent) in a relevant subject, or have the equivalent experience. After a period of training, the ideal candidate will be able to work independently to prioritise workflows and maintain the throughput of processes, particularly germination testing used to monitor viability.  The position will be required to work in a laboratory setting with basic laboratory skills (including dissection and microscope work) being necessary. Laboratory work will also include working in a dry atmosphere (for limited periods) and moving material in and out of -20°C freezers and ultra-cold cryo-vessels, sometimes using step ladders.

Person specification

You will have excellent communication and interpersonal skills as the role has a significant team working and collaboration requirement - working with and / or training and supervising a range of Kew staff, partners, volunteers and students. Good familiarity with MS Office (including Word, Excel, Teams and PowerPoint) is also required, as is previous experience of working in a science laboratory environment.

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.