About the job

Job summary

We seek an experienced, highly motivated, innovative researcher and leader in biodiversity science or an allied discipline related to Nature-based Solutions. A track record of working with plants and their seeds at species and ecosystem level will be an advantage. but we seek applications from all those whose research would enable us to utilise our collections to deliver transformational change to ecosystems and landscapes by helping bridge ex situ and in situ conservation of plants, whilst maximising co-benefits to people, climate and biodiversity.

Job description

Kew’s mission is to understand and protect​ plants and fungi for the​ well-being of people and​ the future of all life on Earth​ under its Manifesto for Change https://www.kew.org/about-us/press-media/manifesto-for-change-2021). Nature-based solutions (NbS) are actions to protect biodiversity and the ecosystems that rely on it whilst benefitting human lives, livelihoods and wellbeing. Usually they are responses to major challenges. As a consequence, biodiversity science provides many of the important building blocks of NbS.

At RBG, Kew, we work via our Science Strategy (https://www.kew.org/science/our-science/publications-and-reports/science-reports/kew-science-strategy) in three main areas associated with NbS under our strategic initiative with that name. We seek to develop tools and interventions that enable NbS. We implement NbS with the aim of achieving more resilient and multifunctional landscapes, and we model and monitor the effectiveness of NbS and their components.

Complementary to our in situ approaches, we bring forward data and resources from our rich ex-situ collections. In particular, Kew’s Millennium Seed Bank with over 2.5 billion seeds covering more than 40,000 plant species offers unparalleled foundations for implementing terrestrial NbS across the globe, especially when coupled with our expertise in seed biology or ecology and increasing understanding of the trajectory from germination, survivorship and establishment of seedlings to delivery of ecosystem services, such as provisioning and carbon capture.

Our geographical foci are the UK and tropical biodiversity rich countries. Our Senior Research Leaders oversee broad programmes of research, and develop and lead their own research team via a demonstrated ability to motivate, manage and mentor a team of researchers, including more junior research leaders, research fellows, postdoctoral researchers, and PhD students, in this case with a research plan aligned to that of Ecosystem Stewardship and the NbS Initiative.

Person specification

You will need to be qualified to PhD level in biodiversity science or a related discipline and have extensive postdoctoral, managerial and leadership ability or experience, You will have a good track record in raising research funding through grant applications and show evidence of managing research projects, including budgets. An excellent publication record in higher impact journals is a further requirement, demonstrating a broad and deep knowledge of the existing literature and research in NbS and associated topics, potentially including seed biology and ecology.

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 access to our own beautiful gardens at Kew and Wakehurst.

Things you need to know

Selection process details

To apply for this role, please submit your application through the Kew Gardens website

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.