Post-Doctoral Researcher in Conservation Genetics

El Bichólogo; Greater London; Hybrid; GBP 35,000 - 43,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Continuous learning

Annual leave

Flexible working

Employee assistance

Cycle to work

Gym membership

Pension

Employee discounts

Museum access

Garden access

Job summary

The Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, is seeking candidates with a strong track record in bioinformatics and population genomics to inform conservation actions in threatened orchid populations. The role will design targeted capture probes for genome-wide genetic analyses in Cypripedium calceolus and Cephalanthera spp., as part of two UK Government–funded projects under the Wild Again campaign.

Based at Kew Gardens with regular home working, the post offers a supportive scientific environment, a

Qualifications

• PhD in conservation genetics or related field.
• Experience with population genomic data.
• Strong motivation for high‑quality research and collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Design targeted capture probes for genome‑wide analyses in orchid populations.
• Analyze population genomic data and provide conservation recommendations.

Skills

Bioinformatics

Population genomics

Team player

Conservation genetics

Education

PhD in conservation genetics or related field

Job description

We are seeking candidates with a strong track record in bioinformatics and population genomics to carry out exciting research that will inform conservation actions in threatened orchid populations. The candidate will design new targeted capture probes for genome-wide genetic analyses in Cypripedium calceolus and Cephalanthera spp., as part of two projects funded by the UK Government as part of the “Wild Again: Restoring England’s Wildlife” campaign to recover our native species and habitats. The candidate will contribute to the application of the newly generated genetic markers, the analyses and interpretation of population genomic results, with the final aim of providing conservation recommendations for the species.

This is a 24-month, fixed-term position within the Science Directorate.

The candidate will have a PhD degree, or a relevant equivalent qualification, in a discipline related to conservation genetics, population genetics or evolutionary biology. The candidate will also have experience in working with population genomic data. Our ideal candidate will be a highly motivated team player who is passionate about conducting high-quality research.

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

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£39,243 per annum [Band D]

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
• other wellbeing support such as cycle to work scheme
• discounted gym membership
• a competitive pension
• an employee discount scheme
• free entry into a wide range of national museums and galleries
• 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.

No agencies please.