Summer Science Intern - Conservation policy strategies for plants and fungi

We are offering an exciting paid internship in Kew’s Science Directorate for undergraduates or recent graduates wishing to undertake a placement as part of their degree. This placement provides training in research and professional skills, as well as work experience within an internationally esteemed science and conservation organisation.

Overexploitation of plants is one of the main drivers of biodiversity loss. The Conservation Policy team coordinates Kew’s response to the global environmental conventions that frame our scientific research, focusing in particular on the Convention on International Trade of Endangered Species (CITES) and the Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD).

CITES aims to conserve wild species at threat from international trade. We are the UK CITES Scientific Authority for Flora, in this role we formally advise government on CITES policy and CITES plants being imported and exported from the UK. We focus on implementing CITES in the UK and researching species in trade that could benefit from CITES regulations.

This role will be desk-based research, examining endangered species in trade, focusing on fungi, by conducting a literature review using scientific journals, reports, databases, and liaising with experts.

• Employee Benefits - RBG Kew.pdf
  (PDF, 1924.01kb)
• Summer intern job profile .pdf
  (PDF, 137.13kb)
• Project details.pdf
  (PDF, 64.18kb)

The project intern will:

• Horizon scan endangered species in trade.
• Research and collate data on species biology, conservation status, distribution, uses and trade.
• Collaborate with experts to prioritise a list of species negatively impacted by trade.
• Write findings in a report.
• Learn about legal plant collecting and assist with Kew’s database for international fieldtrips.
• Catalogue CITES products for educational outreach.

Please see the attached job profile and project details for more information.

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 £19,582 (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 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.

Unfortunately we are unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role, so you must already have the right to work in the UK.