Research Associate
This role will support research in the Global Centre on Biodiversity for Climate (GCBC), as part of the project: “Realising the potential of plant bioresources as nature-based solutions in African biodiversity hotspots”.
The role will develop new biodiversity metrics by integrating multiple biodiversity datasets and habitat maps together with remote sensing data to allow tracking conservation effectiveness of both wild biodiversity and natural capital in Guinea and Ethiopia.
Hours of work
Full time
Contract Type
Fixed Term (FTA)
Contract start date
Until 31st March 2024
Salary
£33,802 – £36,700 per annum pro-rata, depending on skills and experience
Directorate
Science
Location
Kew Gardens, Richmond
Closing Date
21/05/2023
Documents
Employee Benefits - RBG Kew.pdf
(PDF, 1924.01kb)
JD PDRA_GCBC.pdf
(PDF, 123.78kb)
The ideal candidate will have a PhD in ecological modelling, spatial analysis, remote sensing or a similar biodiversity related discipline. They will also be confident with developing novel methodologies and research questions, data management and communicating their research through publications and conferences. We particularly welcome applicants that wish to contribute their own ideas and help to shape our research direction.
This role is based at Kew with the option of regular home working, subject to operational requirements.
Context of role and project:
We are facing a twin biodiversity crisis. Losing both wild biodiversity and agrobiodiversity – the diversity of the crops we eat and use. Kew is leading an exciting new project under the Global Center on Biodiversity for Climate, that seeks to address this challenge, whilst also mitigating climate change and supporting sustainable development. This project will focus on Kew’s extensive track record and datasets from Guinea and Ethiopia, and work closely with a range of stakeholders.
These contrasting countries offer a model for the joint aims of sustainable biodiversity use to support poverty alleviation as well as climate mitigation through avoided deforestation and land use change. We anticipate that this research could be applied widely in other biodiverse tropical landscapes, particularly where Kew and partners have strong track records of knowledge exchange.
Working across Red Listing and remote sensing data, this role will research and develop metrics to track conservation effectiveness across Guinea and Ethiopia. This will help address key capability and reporting gaps identified by our partners as they work towards global climate and biodiversity goals. In addition, this role will improve our understanding of the co-benefits of biodiversity conservation, including the distribution of Natural Capital across Tropical Important Plant Areas and areas of high agrobiodiversity.
This role builds on an extensive track record of collaboration and partnership in Ethiopia and Guinea, and the candidate will have the opportunity to be rapidly integrated into a number of exciting ongoing research themes, with the potential to deliver impactful outputs in the project timeframe.
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 £33,802 – £36,700 per annum pro-rata, depending on skills and experience.
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 committed to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from all sections of the community. We guarantee to interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post.
No agencies please.
