Kew’s Economic Botany Collection holds over 100,000 useful plant raw materials and products, ranging from ancient Egyptian wreaths to modern herbal medicines.
The Collections Manager has a crucial role in ensuring high standards of curation, and in supporting its very active research, loans and public engagement programme.
Kew is the world’s leading botanic gardens, at the forefront of plant and fungal science, a UNESCO World Heritage Site and a major visitor attraction.
We want a world where plants and fungi are understood, valued and conserved – because our lives depend on them.
We use the power of our science and the rich diversity of our gardens and collections to provide knowledge, inspiration and understanding of why plants and fungi matter to everyone.
The role of Collections Manager combines hands-on curation of the Economic Botany Collection, working with volunteers and student placements to document and care for its c. 100,000 specimens, and provision of access for users in topics spanning arts, humanities and sciences, ranging from the history of science to ethnobotany.
This role will suit someone with experience in collections management in a research environment, with a meticulous approach to curation, and an enthusiasm for hosting interdisciplinary researchers, and communicating the stories of the Collection to varied audiences. It involves working closely with the Collection’s Senior Research Leader, and with a wide range of staff at Kew and at collaborating institutions.
You will be given active support in developing your curation skills, including through training and participation in museum networks and meetings. This is an exciting time for the Collection, and for this post, with plans at an early stage for a new collections database and storage facility, and the desire to develop a more diverse user community. Knowledge of collections management and an enthusiasm for user communities and public engagement are essential; we welcome applicants from a range of subject backgrounds as botanical training will be provided in post.
The salary will be £25,456 to £28,008 per annum, depending on skills and experience.
We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a broad range of Learning and Development opportunities, with access to the Civil Service training curriculum, generous annual leave entitlement for new starters, family friendly policies, a choice of competitive pensions and flexible benefits scheme.