Herbarium Registrar

LLOYD'S REGISTER INTERNATIONAL; Greater London; On-site; GBP 34,000 - 35,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Generous annual leave

Flexible working

Employee Assistance Programme

Pension scheme

Free entry to national museums & Galle

Job summary

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew invites applications for the Herbarium Registrar within the Biological Collections Department. You will manage and develop high standards in the care of internationally important preserved plant collections and lead the Collections Management team based in the Herbarium.

You will document and track specimen records using Earthcape ICMS, follow Spectrum standards and legislation, and help train staff in best practices. Interviews planned for October 16, 2026.

Qualifications

• Relevant degree or equivalent experience in collections management.
• Excellent communication and teamwork abilities.
• Experience handling preserved plant collections and specimen tracking.

Responsibilities

• Manage the Collections Management team based in the Herbarium and oversee preservation work.
• Record, freeze, distribute and track preserved specimen consignments for researchers.
• Document specimen records in Earthcape ICMS and ensure compliance with Spectrum standards.
• Contribute to staff training on best practices and relevant legislation; support decontamination and pest management.

Skills

Communication skills

Attention to detail

Team leadership

Education

First degree in collections management

Tools

Earthcape ICMS

Job description

Herbarium Registrar

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Preserved Collections team within the Biological Collections Department as Herbarium Registrar, with responsibility for maintaining and developing high standards in the management and care of our internationally important, preserved plant collections.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Preserved Collections team within the Biological Collections Department as Herbarium Registrar, with responsibility for maintaining and developing high standards in the management and care of our internationally important, preserved plant collections.

Herbarium Registrar

More details

You will have a relevant first degree or equivalent experience in collections management and be a highly skilled communicator, with a proven track record of managing a busy and varied workload. You will manage the Collections Management team based in the Herbarium who are responsible for freezing, recording, distributing and tracking preserved specimen consignments, making them available for scientific research both at Kew and institutions worldwide.

This role requires attention to detail, a proven ability to follow and develop precise procedures and accurately document and track specimen records through our collections management system, Earthcape ICMS. You will proactively contribute towards training other staff in best practice in line with Spectrum standards and national legislation and understand relevant legislation governing the movement of plant genetic resources. You will follow best practice to conserve and protect the collections with regards to decontamination procedures and integrated pest management. Previous experience of working with a preserved collection and an enthusiasm for collections management will be an advantage.

Interviews are planned for October 16th 2026

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 for this position is £34,216 - £34,703 per annum, depending on skills and experience [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 as access to our own beautiful gardens at Kew and Wakehurst.

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