Kew Research Fellow (Trait Diversity and Function)
Kew Research Fellow (Trait Diversity and Function)
We are seeking applications from promising early-career scientists with interesting, innovative, and viable research ideas for the Kew Research Fellowship in Plant and Fungal Science.
The Kew Research 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 Kew Research Fellowships each year, aligned across our Research Priorities.
This Fellowship is within the Trait Diversity and Function Priority of the Kew Science Strategy. The successful candidate will be based at Kew or Wakehurst depending on the discipline.
The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (RBG Kew) is a leading plant and fungal science institute, UNESCO World Heritage Site, and major visitor attraction. We are working to end the unprecedented extinction crisis and to help create a world where nature is protected, valued by all, and managed sustainably.
Our flagship Kew Research Fellowship programme (also sometimes called the Future Leader Fellowship) enables the brightest and most innovative early career scientists to develop research projects in their field of expertise while gaining the necessary leadership and professional skills for the next stage of their careers.
The successful applicants will form an integral part of our vibrant, dynamic and cross-disciplinary scientific environment and will gain direct access to the world’s most extensive plant and fungal collections along with state-of-the-art laboratory facilities.
Line managed by a senior researcher, the candidate will be benefit from opportunities for development that include – but are not limited to – training workshops on topics from grant writing to research impact, a mentorship programme, bi-annual mentoring meetings with the Director of Science, and other chances for researcher-led training. They will also be able to apply for secondment and research funding internally and are encouraged to use this funding to travel for their research.
The Fellowship aims to provide early career researchers with an internationally outstanding level of training and professional development, empowering them to become established as independent research leaders in their discipline by the end of the Fellowship. This Fellowship is offered as a four-year research post based at either Kew Gardens or Wakehurst.
More details
We are seeking a highly motivated scientist to undertake research aligned with the Trait Diversity and Function (TDF) priority of our ambitious strategy for Kew Science and Kew’s Manifesto for Change.
The overarching goal of TDF is to ‘understand plant and fungal traits, to aid conservation, increase resilience to global change, and explore their uses and benefits for human health and well-being.’ Your work will contribute to the delivery of at least one of the following four ambitious initiatives. With such a diversity of expertise in TDF, multidisciplinary research is strongly encouraged.
Adaptation and Resilience aims to understand and utilise plant and fungal traits to increase resilience. This Initiative provides a fundamental understanding of how plants and fungi evolve to overcome physical, environmental and biological challenges, especially those due to climate change and infectious diseases, through the exploration of variation in the genomes, morphology, ploidy, physiology and chemistry of plants and fungi, as well as the diversity and characteristics of plant microbiomes.
Biointeractions and Bioactive Molecules explores biological interactions and bioactive molecules to unlock useful properties in plants and fungi. The interaction of plants and fungi with other organisms (e.g. pollinators, herbivores, disease agents, mycorrhizal fungi) is a driver of biological and chemical processes that mediate defence, attraction, adaptation and diversification. This Initiative explores this biological interface to reveal the bioactive molecules and mechanisms that underpin these processes. In addition, this Initiative investigates the molecular basis of useful traits, from food and medicines to enhanced ecosystem services and landscapes.
Enhancing Survival aims to discover key survival traits for plant and fungal preservation and sustainable use A crucial human contribution to the survival of our planet is the successful protection of plants (mainly through seeds) and fungi in biobanks, so they can be used as assets for nature-based solutions and the restoration of threatened species and habitats. Bio-banked material also enables the discovery of new traits and properties of value to humans and the environment.
Sustainable Agriculture aims to identify and utilise traits to develop crops for sustainable agriculture. Food production faces considerable challenges, particularly in an era of accelerated climate change and increasing pressure on land due to the growing global population. Conversely, agriculture is a major cause of greenhouse gas emissions, environmental pollution, and biodiversity loss, which also needs to be addressed. This Initiative combines innovative research with RBG Kew’s expert knowledge on plant and fungal diversity and data from our extensive collections.
To include as attachments on your online application form:
- 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.
- A research plan. 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 12 May and 6 June.
This role is based at Kew with the option of regular home working, subject to operational requirements.
The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew (RBG Kew) is a leading plant science institute, UNESCO World Heritage Site, and major visitor attraction. Our mission is to understand and protect plants and fungi for the well-being of people and the future of all life on Earth.
We are working to end the unprecedented extinction crisis and to help create a world where nature is protected, valued by all and managed sustainably. We will achieve these goals by drawing on our leading scientific research, unrivalled collections of plants and fungi, global network of partners, inspirational gardens at Kew and Wakehurst, and our 260 years of history.
Join us on our journey as protectors of the world’s plants and fungi.
The salary for this position is £41,020 per annum (pro rata) [Band D]
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.
If you are interested in this position, please submit your application through the online portal, by clicking “Apply for this job”.
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.