Senior Research Leader - Seed Biology

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew is a world-famous, collections-based scientific organisation, internationally respected for its outstanding collections as well as its expertise in plant and fungal diversity, conservation and sustainable development in the UK and around the world. It has two main botanic garden sites: Kew Gardens in south-west London, a top London visitor attraction and UNESCO World Heritage Site, and Wakehurst in West Sussex, our wild botanic garden which is home to the Millennium Seed Bank (MSB) where this role is based.

The MSB is the world’s most biodiverse seed collection comprised of over 2.4 billion seeds from around the world and has a long history of researching and publishing on seed traits. Reporting to the Head of Trait Diversity and Function, this role focuses on providing strategic leadership for seed biology research at Kew. This includes overseeing Kew’s ambitious programme to explore and solve the challenges associated with cryopreservation of exceptional species, building partnerships with key academic and industrial organisations internationally, and leading on the development of new facilities at Wakehurst for research and long-term storage of seeds.

This is a unique opportunity to play a key role within a world-leading institution. You will be an outstanding and inspiring scientist with a relevant PhD and an established international reputation in the science community. You will have experience in leading research groups, securing funding proposals, mentoring researchers, and supervising students.  You will bring a strategic outlook to Kew’s seed research, working with all relevant stakeholders across Kew Science and to engage with the broader strategic landscape of Kew as a whole. Experience of teaching and scientific outreach is also desirable. 

The Royal Botanic Gardens Kew has appointed executive search specialists Veredus to support us with this appointment. 

Closing date: 23:55 GMT Sunday 18^th August 2024

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