Research Assistant - Pollination
Research Assistant - Pollination
This role will contribute to the Nature Unlocked programme at Wakehurst, Kew’s wild botanic garden. The post holder will be an integral part of the diverse and novel projects currently being developed by the pollination team. Using the living plant collections of trees and shrubs at Wakehurst and Kew, the job holder will survey diversity and abundance of floral visitors to native and non-native tree and shrub species of key relevance for the UK. The job holder will also conduct laboratory work, including microscopy for insect identification, collection and assessment of nectar and pollen as floral rewards, and will have the opportunity to conduct DNA extractions at Kew’s Jodrell laboratory.
Experience will also be gained in community engagement and citizen science working on the Trees for Bees citizen science project (https://www.kew.org/wakehurst/nature-unlocked/trees-for-bees) and the monitoring habitat management strategies for pollinators.
More details
The ideal candidate will hold an MSc/MRes/work experience equivalent in a relevant biological discipline (e.g., environmental science, ecology, conservation) with demonstrable experience in pollination ecology. Nature Unlocked is a relatively new and dynamic programme and we welcome applications from enthusiastic individuals with lots of ideas! The job holder will be an integral part of the Nature Unlocked team, supported by the post-doctoral researcher but a self-starter working to their own initiative and managing their own workload.
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.
The role is based at Wakehurst 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 £32,900 per annum (pro rata) [Band C]
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.