ADAPTREE Project Coordinator

We are seeking a part-time project coordinator to support the delivery of the ADAPTREE project. This is an exciting opportunity to play a key role in a major new interdisciplinary project, as part of a UKRI-funded programme of research to improve the UK's preparedness for epidemic threats. The postholder will play an integral part in developing a Knowledge Exchange and Impact plan and carrying out a stakeholder mapping exercise, as well in organising regular project and Advisory Board meetings and liaising with project team members and external project partners, to ensure successful project delivery. The role will also involve contributing to project knowledge exchange and dissemination activities, such as helping to draft press releases. You will join a vibrant and supportive interdisciplinary project team and have the opportunity to work closely with researchers across six collaborating organisations.

Hours per week: 14.40

We are seeking candidates who are educated to degree level and with experience of successfully coordinating a knowledge exchange and dissemination work package, or other relevant package of activities, within a large research project. Our ideal candidate will be a highly motivated team player who has excellent organisational and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate and coordinate effectively with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders. Strong IT skills and the ability to work independently when required are also essential. Experience in working across different academic disciplines, and with science communication, is desirable.

This role is for two days per week, but we may be flexible to other part-time working patterns, which can be discussed at the interview stage.

The ideal start date is 4th January 2027; the project end date is 12th November 2030, with the possibility of an extension until January 2031.

Interviews are expected to be held on 23rd November.

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.

If you are interested in this position, please submit your application through the online portal, by clicking "Apply for this job".

At Kew, our strength lies in the diversity of our people and the insights they bring. When you join us, you will find an organisation that values your perspective and lived experience. You will receive support to achieve your full potential and access opportunities to develop and progress. Our commitment to equity, diversity, and inclusion is ongoing, shaped by the people who work here and the communities we serve. As a disability confident employer, we are breaking down barriers to be an inclusive workplace for everyone.

Whoever you are, and however you experience the world, there is a place for you to grow and belong at Kew.

No agencies please.

Job Profile
Section 1: Job Description
Job Title: ADAPTREE Project Coordinator Post No:
Band: D Job family: Professional and Services
Directorate: Science Section/Dept: Traits and Interactions
No. of Direct Reports: 0 No. of Indirect Reports: 0
Reports to (Position): Research Leader - Plant Health
Job Purpose:
To del iver RBG Kew's mission by supporting the successful coordination and administration of the ADAPTREE
project, improving preparedness for future epidemic threats to trees, and contributing to the Trees and Forests
Initiative of the Kew Science Strategy 2026-2030.
Job Context:
We are seeking a project coordinator to support the delivery of a major new interdisciplinary research project. The
successful candidate will play a key role in the ADAPTREE project, funded by UKRI as part of its Epidemic
Preparedness programme.
ADAPTREE (integrating tree adaptation and manager learning to improve epidemic preparedness) combines
insights from evolutionary biology, design thinking, social science and environmental humanities, to learn from past
management of disease epidemics to develop integrated responses that maximise the potential to adapt our
treescapes to damaging pathogens, to better prepare for future epidemics and prevent their worst potential impacts.
Using interdisciplinary methods, the project will co-create an understanding of and resources for tackling new tree
disease epidemics. The project seeks to understand the impact of past management of disease epidemics, identify
the impact of human responses to tree disease epidemics on the more-than-human (i.e. non-human) ecosphere
and to co-design preparedness action plans for tree pathogens of epidemic potential. This interdisciplinary project
involves collaboration between RBG Kew and other organisations working at the forefront of tree health research,
namely University of Gloucestershire, Forest Research, Queen Mary University of London, Robert Gordon
University and the University of Copenhagen.
The postholder will play an integral part in the delivery of the "Enabling interdisciplinary practice, knowledge
exchange and dissemination" work package, supporting the overall Project Lead at Kew and project co -Leads at
Forest Research, Robert-Gordon University and University of Gloucestershire, and the wider project team. The role
will involve developing a Knowledge Exchange (KE) and Impact plan and carrying out a stakeholder mapping
exercise, with ongoing monitoring and evaluation of KE and dissemination activities. The postholder will have
responsibility for organising regular project and Advisory Board meetings, liaising with project team members
across the six collaborating organisations and external project partners, to ensure effective interdisciplinary working
and successful project delivery. The postholder will also contribute to science communication, such as helping to
draft press releases, and assist the Project Lead with general administration of the ADAPTREE project, including
financial administration, internal and external reporting and data management.
This role is based at Kew Gardens, within the Plant Health and Adaptation team in the Traits and Interactions
department; occasional travel within the UK and may be required. A standard DBS check will be required for this
role.

Job Profile
Accountabilities :
1. Lead the development of the project Knowledge Exchange and Impact Plan, undertake a
stakeholder mapping exercise and coordinate the appointment of additional external Advisory
Board members. Undertake periodic reviews of the Knowledge Exchange and Impact Plan to
assess progress and effectiveness and identify new opportunities that have arisen. Coordinate,
monitor, evaluate and contribute to project knowledge exchange and dissemination activities,
including assisting with the drafting of press releases and content for websites and social media
posts.
40%
2. Take responsibility for the organisation and smooth running of regular project meetings (both on-
line and in person), including liaising with co-Leads and project staff across the collaborating
organisations, project partners and members of the external Advisory Board. Prepare and
distribute papers in advance of meetings and act as the minute taker, ensuring accurate records of
decisions and action points are recorded and shared efficiently.
25%
3. Regularly compile information required for periodic internal and external project reporting, including
keeping a record of relevant activities and outputs from across all project members and
collaborating organisations. Support the Project Lead in completing project reports.
10%
4. Support the Project Lead by carrying out routine administrative tasks required for successful
project delivery, such as purchasing of goods and services and management of contractual
arrangements and payments, in accordance with Kew procedures.
10%
5. Manage the project Teams space for day-to-day communication and resource sharing.
Communicate project updates to the Advisory Board and project partners via dedicated Teams
channels or email.
5%
6. Support the Project Lead, and Project co-Leads as directed, in other tasks commensurate with the
level of the post that are required for the successful delivery of the project.
10%
Management of Resources
Financial Responsibilities : All staff are responsible for management of their own time and resources.
.
1. Responsibility for procuring goods and services required by the project, including managing service
agreements with specialist contractors, raising purchase orders, receipting invoices and managing
expenditure in accordance with the project budget and RBG Kew's financial procedures.
Management of People
1. No direct line management responsibility, but the postholder will liaise extensively with the wider project team,
across the six collaborating organisations.
Section 2: Person Specification
Education and Experience
Essential
Educated to degree level or equivalent professional experience.
A demonstrated interest in biodiversity science, ecology, conservation science, or similar.
Strong IT skills, including use of MS Office, databases and online resources.
Experience of successfully coordinating a knowledge exchange and dissemination work package, or other relevant
package of activities, within a large research project.
A track record of managing stakeholder relationships, both internal and external, to successfully deliver planned
outcomes.
Desirable

Job Profile
Knowledge of the tree health and tree manager stakeholder landscape.
Experience in working across academic disciplines and with non-academic stakeholders.
Experience with science communication, such as drafting content for websites, social media posts and press
releases.
A recognised project management qualification.
Job Specific Competencies - skills and abilities specific to the job
Essential
Ability to work well as part of a team and independently, demonstrating a pro-active and self-motivated attitude.
Excellent interpersonal, written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to collaborate and coordinate
effectively with a broad range of internal and external stakeholders.
Excellent organisational skills, with the ability to plan and manage their own workload to meet project deadlines.
Excellent attention to detail, with the ability to keep highly accurate records.
Desirable
Ability to manage a project budget and accurately account for expenditure of funds.