Postdoctoral Researcher Associate

The salary for this position is £40,421 - £43,419 per annum, depending on skills and experience [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.

The tropical peatlands and their flora are the focus of Kew researchers, with a well-established professional network in the Amazon and Congo basins delivering peat distribution maps, ecology, management, and climate mitigation. This role is part of our new Global Centre for Biodiversity and Climate (GCBC) project "Using biodiversity to support climate resilient livelihoods in intact tropical peatlands".

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.

Job Profile
Section 1: Job Description
Job Title: Postdoctoral Researcher Associate Post No:
Band: D Job family: Science
Directorate: Science Section/Dept: Priority 4 Taxonomy and
Systematics
No. of Direct Reports: 0 No. of Indirect Reports: 0
Reports to (Position): Research Leader
Job Purpose:
To deliver RBG Kew's mission by contributing to the research and delivery of the GCBC funded peatland
project "RG2 -009751- Using biodiversity to support climate resilient livelihoods in intact tropical
peatlands".
Job Context:
This postdoctoral position is part of the GCBC funded peatland project " Using biodiversity to support
climate resilient livelihoods in intact tropical peatlands " that aims to deliver a step change in the
understanding of peatland biodiversity, the resilience of useful peatland species to severe droughts and
flooding events, and the opportunities to use biodiversity to support livelihoods. The post-holder will
undertake this 11-month position, leading fieldwork in peatlands of the Republic of Congo and data analysis
about the duration and intensity of flooding where peatland useful species are found. The position offers
opportunities to collaborate with project partners and local stakeholders in Peru, the Republic of Congo
and the Democratic Republic of Congo, with the aim of transforming research findings into practical
conservation policies and strategies.
The researcher is expected to independently develop and conduct robust scientific research, employing
standard protocols in the establishment of permanent forest plots and monitoring of water table depth in
peatlands. This position involves fieldwork, thorough analytical research, and contribution to the scientific
literature. The post-holder will present their findings at academic and policy forums, both nationally and
internationally.
The role is situated within a multidisciplinary team, requiring the researcher to manage their project
autonomously. Outcomes of the project will be disseminated through a high-impact research paper,
presentations at meetings, and public engagement initiatives, including blog posts for the Kew website.
As a key member of the Africa team within Priority P4 Taxonomy and Systematics at RBG Kew, the
postholder will benefit from a collaborative and stimulating research environment. This includes
participating in in-person and virtual weekly meetings and seminars with the entire Science Directorate at
Kew, as well as departmental meetings, discussions, and collaborations.
Academic oversight, guidance and line management will be provided by the Research Leader who is the
GCBC project leader, integrating the post-holder into the broader research teams at Kew and at project
partner institutions.

The role includes two fieldtrips to the Republic of Congo.

This role is based at Kew with the option of regular home working, subject to operational requirements.

Job Profile
Accountabilities :
1. Research and Publication: Conduct and publish high-quality, original research using
ecological techniques/analyses. Prepare and publish a scientific paper and disseminate
research findings at scientific meetings through talks and posters. C ontribute to regular
reports and science and policy communication materials as required.
80 %
2. Supervision and Training : Provide guidance and training to students, and project assistant
as appropriate.
5 %
3. Departmental Contributions: Actively participate in departmental and cross-departmental
meetings and seminars.
5 %
4. Project Management: Assist in tracking the project budget, managing costs, and partner
participation in collaboration with the Project Leader and Project Manager. Oversee
procurement of equipment and consumables when required.
5 %
5. Engagement: Contribute to Kew's broader mission through public engagement,
educational activities, science-policy forums, and other relevant areas as required.
5 %
Management of Resources
Financial Responsibilities : All staff are responsible for management of their own time and resources.
.
1. Support Project Leader in management of project budgets as directed.
Management of People
1. Supervision and training of students and project assistant as appropriate.
Position within the Team
RBG Kew, UK
(Lead organization)
Project leader
Postdoctoral researcher
Project manager
University of Leeds, UK
(project partner)
Research partners
I nst. I nvestigaciones de la
A mazonia P eruana, Peru
(project partner)
Research partners &
Research assistant
University of St Andrews
(project partner)
Research partners
Université Marien Ngouabi,
R. of Congo
(project partner)
Research partner &
Research assistant
Université Kisangani, DRC
(project partner)
Research partner &
Research assistant
Priority Leader
P4 Accelerated Taxonomy
Senior Research Leader
P4 Accelerated Taxonomy
Research Leader
P4 Accelerated Taxonomy