Job Description

Herbarium Collections Audit Officer

=======================================



This is an exciting time to join RBG Kew as we deliver our Science Strategy 2021-2025. Science has always been the heart of RBG Kew's purpose. With over 500 members of staff and students, Kew Science has an extensive research programme. Our collections, our people and our partnerships enable us to make an invaluable and highly relevant contribution to some of the biggest issues facing the global population, such as biodiversity loss and climate change. We do this through research, conservation, training, and inspiring others about the importance of plant and fungal science.



Hours of work
Full time
Contract Type
Fixed Term (FTA)
Contract start date
October 2025
Contract end date
March 2026
Salary
32,900 per annum [Band C}
Directorate
Science
Location
Kew Gardens, Richmond
Closing Date
14/09/2025
Documents
16396 Employee benefits-RBG Kew 2024 v6[90].pdf
(PDF, 279.26kb)
Job Profile.pdf
(PDF, 165.74kb)
print this job
Apply for this role
Send to a Friend

More details

----------------



This is an excellent opportunity to join the Herbarium Curation team in Science Collections as the Herbarium Collections Support Officer. The successful candidate will map the Herbarium collections, collecting information on the volume and size of each plant family collection, including the ancillary collections associated and located with these (preserved fruit and seeds, large sheets, artwork etc.) working with the Herbarium Curation team and Senior Project Manager (Major Development). In addition to this, the role includes measuring and gathering information on the Herbarium backlog. The post holder will be responsible for compiling information on the Herbarium collections into reports, mapping the Kew Herbarium. This role involves working across the Herbarium building, up and down floors and ladders to access the full collection. The postholder will be a key member of the Science Collections team based in the Herbarium building, working with the other members of the broader Science Directorate. The position will be based at our Kew Gardens site near Richmond in West London and is full-time and onsite.

Person specification

Educated to degree level and with a proven background in a similar role with experience. Our ideal candidate will enjoy working independently to gather accurate information on the Herbarium collection. They will have good communication and self-organisation skills to clearly map and report on the Herbarium collection. This candidate will work across the Herbarium building, moving between collection areas on different floors to gather data. They will be navigating a collection arranged mostly by the Angiosperm Phylogeny Group sequence with an understanding of classification and nomenclature, to solve problems as they come across them. They will have good IT skills to manage spreadsheets and information. This post would suit someone with an interest in developing a methodology to create a digital map of the Kew Herbarium collection by moving around a large building to survey the collections, working with spreadsheets to present this information in reports.





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 32,900 per annum [Band 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".



We are dedicated to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from all sections of the community. We are committed to interviewing disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post.



No agencies please.