Senior Research Leader, Conservation Science

The salary for this position is £63,116 - £71,300 per annum, depending on skills and experience [Band F7]

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.

Join the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew as a Senior Research Leader in Conservation Science and help shape the future of our global conservation impact as the world's most biodiverse botanic garden. Working within the Ecosystems and Conservation Science Department, you will contribute to the delivery of Kew's ambitious new Science Strategy (2026-2030, https://www.kew.org/science/our-science/publications-and-reports/science-reports/kew-science-strategy), advancing our mission to understand and protect plants and fungi for the well-being of people and the future of all life on Earth. This is a unique opportunity to lead and develop your own innovative research programme, generating evidence that makes biodiversity and ecosystem protection more effective and shapes conservation practice, land management and policy in the UK and beyond.

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.

You will possess the skills and knowledge to provide scientific and strategic leadership for Kew's conservation science and an excellent track record as a researcher in biodiversity conservation, drawing on ecology, genomics and/or other relevant disciplines. We particularly seek a researcher with expertise in the application of data-driven approaches to conservation science. For example, by using genomic, environmental, or collections data, your research may address the interface between biodiversity and humanity or model ecosystem functions and processes, providing insights into land management, conservation, and restoration strategies, and develop approaches for monitoring and evaluating their effectiveness. It may generate technological innovations that enable more effective biodiversity protection or enhance nature-based solutions. You will contribute to delivering our science strategy using your research and leadership skillset. Alongside developing and securing funding for an exciting programme of research, you will build partnerships across government, academia and the conservation sector, while leading and inspiring a multidisciplinary team of researchers and students.

We are looking for someone with innovative ideas who is seeking to further develop their career as an independent researcher, leader and mentor. You will be an outstanding and inspiring scientist with a relevant PhD and significant post-qualification research experience, with a strong track record of research excellence, securing funding and collaborating across disciplines. You will have an interest in and experience of teaching, outreach and impact, and proven ability to lead and motivate research teams, develop impactful research programmes and build partnerships that translate scientific knowledge into improved outcomes for biodiversity, protection and enhancement of ecosystem services, human livelihoods and wellbeing.

Job Profile
Senior Research Leader - Job Profile Document v1 March 2021
Section 1: Job Description
Job Title: Senior Research Leader (Conservation
Science)
Post No:
Band: F7 Job family: Science & Scientific Information
Directorate: Science Section/Dept: Research/Ecosystem Stewardship
No. of Direct Reports: Fundraising dependent No. of Indirect Reports: Project team members -
fundraising dependent
Reports to (Position): Priority Leader
Job Purpose:
To deliver RBG Kew's mission by:
Leading and managing a team to develop and deliver excellence in research within the remit of the Ecosystems &
Conservation Science Department, Research Division and Science Strategy 26-30.
Job Context:
Reporting to the HoD, this role involves managing a team of staff conducting challenging research within the remit of
the Scientific Priority. The post holder is a principal research investigator and leads a research team within the
Priority, generating research income and being responsible for the operational management of the research group.
They are also responsible for developing the team's research and funding skillset for career progression,
encouraging excellence. The postholder will encourage links and communication between departments and with key
stakeholders outside the organisation. The postholder contributes to the overall running of the Science Directorate to
a level commensurate with the grade of the post.
Accountabilities :
1. Lead a programme of research and develop research questions within a discrete area of a wider
research topic. Enable the programme/group/research area to generate sustainable income levels
(each Band E within your area to develop research income of minimum £100K per year). Carry out
collaborative projects with colleagues in partner institutions.
20%
2. Line-manage the research team, setting clear task objectives and developing productive working
relations. Provide academic supervision for Kew Research Fellows and research students.
10%
3. Manage and monitor research resources, budgets and accounts 5%
4. Contribute to establishing the strategic direction and setting standards for the work of the wider group 10%
5. Generate research income, promote the research area and write funding applications for specific
avenues of independent research (min 2 per year), with the intention of developing a minimum
income of £150K per year.
20%

Job Profile
Senior Research Leader - Job Profile Document v1 March 2021
6. Regularly write research articles (min 4 per year) for appropriate journals, book chapters and
reviews (each grade E within your area to write research articles for appropriate journals, min 3 per
year). Present papers at international conferences and other appropriate fora to disseminate
research findings. Promote the research group locally, nationally and internationally, and liaise with
sponsors, stakeholders, national agencies, and professional bodies.
15%
7. Carry out teaching activities or public engagement activities, and contribute to policy advice and
science communication in the Gardens.
20%
Management of Resources
All staff are responsible for management of their own time and resources.
Financial Responsibilities :
.
1. Take responsibility for devolved budgets and comply with Kew's financial regulations; ensure compliance of
Team members with Kew's financial regulations and operating procedures
2. Manage income and expenditure in order to promote financial sustainability
3. Ensure that equipment/facilities under the dept/team´s control are properly maintained and serviced as required
Management of People
1. Manage team members (research staff and students)
2. Ensure that HR policies and procedures are implemented
3. Ensure that staff performance is managed appropriately and in a way that is consistent with the expectations
of a Kew Scientist
4. Engender a culture of excellence, innovation, co-operation and respect
5. Make effective use of all staffing resources and seek opportunities for collaboration and joint working with
others beyond the department and beyond the organisation
6. Ensure all staff have access to the necessary support to enable them to contribute fully and develop their
skills and experience
7. Mentor Kew Research Fellows

Depending on the track record, experience and excellence of the successful candidate, we will recruit one roleholder at either Senior Research Leader or Research Leader level in Conservation Science. We will not recruit to both.

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