Research Assistant - Darwin Tree of Life project (DTOL) Kew Gardens, England
Job description
Research Assistant - Darwin Tree of Life project (DTOL)
You will join Kew’s science staff as a research assistant, conducting lab and field work and contributing towards producing outstanding research within the Darwin Tree of Life (DToL) project. You will be part of the Comparative Fungal Biology team (part of the ‘Trait Diversity and Function’ Kew Science Priority) that works closely with the other mycology teams at Kew to research the diversity and evolution of fungi. Research ranges from baseline diversity studies in biodiversity hotspots through to reconstructing the Fungal Tree of Life, with a special emphasis on evolution and ecology of lifestyles and symbiotic interactions.
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More details
You will be working with different types of fungi. You will conduct largely independent work in the lab, including mostly fungal culturing, DNA extractions, and barcoding, with some testing of HTS techniques. You will also give support to field collecting (UK), and manage the sample processing and databasing of all material used in the project and will be in charge of the lab training of students and visitors involved in the project. You will need a basic knowledge on statistics and notions of phylogenetics and/or genomics.
You will be an outstanding early career scientist with a BSc or MSc (or equivalent) in a relevant subject area. You will have a proven aptitude for delivering scientific outputs and excellent writing and oral skills. You will be an enthusiastic team player who is ready to engage in the DToL project (https://www.kew.org/science/our-science/projects/darwin-tree-of-life) and work in collaboration with multiple researchers at Kew.
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 £28,912 per annum (pro rata).
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.
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 interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post.
No agencies please.
