Field Technician

The Nature Unlocked team are looking for a Field Technician to assist researchers in setting up and maintaining equipment in the landscape at Kew Wakehurst. You will be working alongside our current Field Technician to set up and maintain equipment across 24 research plots and assist with additional fieldwork e.g. LiDAR scanning, soil sampling, and mast safety checks. The role will also involve data collection and basic data management following protocols. This is a very dynamic role as the research being conducted on site is growing and new research projects established. A typical day could see you checking batteries on equipment around the site, checking and collecting data from wind masts and weather stations, and working with or supervising researchers to set up new experiments. You will also occasionally need to visit our partner sites across Sussex where we have monitoring equipment set up.

More details

We are looking for a candidate with a BSc in an environmental science with field work experience or a minimum of 2 years' experience in environmental/ ecological field work. This role is primarily based outdoors throughout the year; the candidate must be comfortable with working in adverse weather conditions. The candidate must also be comfortable with carrying field equipment sometimes for extended period over uneven terrain. This role will include unsupervised field working as such we are looking for a candidate who is comfortable working alone is diligent, organised and able to make good decisions on the practical aspects of putting monitoring equipment in the environment.

We also have equipment at two partner sites which will require visits every couple of months, the candidate should have a driver's licence to enable them to use the company cars to access the sites.

Please note that the interview is provisionally scheduled for week commencing 9th 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.

The salary will be £35,380 per annum, depending on skills and experience [Grade 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 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".

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 (attached PDF)

Job Profile
Section 1: Job Description
Job Title: Nature Unlocked Field Technician Post No:
Band: C Job family:
Directorate: Science Section/Dept: Ecosystem Stewardship
No. of Direct Reports: 0 No. of Indirect Reports: 0
Reports to (Position): Nature Unlocked Research Leader
Job Purpose:
To deliver RBG Kew 's mission by providing hands on support in installing and maintaining scientific equipment
across 24 research plots at Kew Wakehurst. You will be facilitating researchers with the practical aspects of running
experiments and monitoring in the environment. You will also occasionally visit and conduct fieldwork at partner
sites.
With guidance from the research lead and other researchers in the group, this role will involve the data collection
and maintenance of the research plots at Wakehurst, biannual LiDAR scanning of the plots, and setting up and
testing of new equipment.
Job Context:
The Nature Unlocked programme is an integral part of Kew 's Science Strategy for 2026-2030. Core to Nature
Unlocked is the Wakehurst landscape which we use as a living laboratory to investigate different types of ecosystems
and the services they provide. This role is based at Wakehurst working alongside one other field technician to set up
and manage the on the ground research. You will also work with the wider nature unlocked team and researchers to
enable them to conduct research in the landscape.
Accountabilities :
1. Installing monitoring equipment across Wakehurst - including locating plots with GPS, installing
monitoring equipment and conducting forest inventories.
10%
2. Maintaining research infrastructure across the plot network. This will include battery changes and
plot maintenance.
30%
3. Maintenance and management of equipment and supplies - coordinating with suppliers and other
teams at Wakehurst
10%
4. Conducting routine data collection from monitoring equipment in plots, and uploading and saving
data
15%
5. Terrestrial LiDAR surveys and GPS mapping of plots 15%
6. Working on monitoring plots at partner sites across Sussex 10%
7. Assisting visiting researchers with safe access to sites and with data collection 5%
8. Writing Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs), planning fieldwork, risk assessments and other
admin related to the role
5%

Job Profile
Management of Resources
Financial Responsibilities : All staff are responsible for management of their own time and resources.
.
None
Management of People
None
Section 2: Person Specification
Education and Experience
Essential
Minimum BSc in environmental science or similar or 2 years' experience in environmental/ecology field
Experience conducting ecological fieldwork
Driving licence
Desirable
Job Specific Competencies - skills and abilities specific to the job
Essential
Physical ability to carry and transport field equipment, sometimes over uneven terrain and for extended periods
outdoors
Experience in data management and handling
Ability to work alone and unsupervised
Willingness to work outside year-round
Good organisational skills
Desirable
Experience with hand tools and power tools
Knowledge of equipment maintenance
Experience with technical writing