Amgueddfa Cymru holds the largest and most comprehensive collection of Welsh botany, geology, and zoology specimens in the world, and this provides a unique record of the natural history of Wales, charting evolutionary and environmental change. We use these collections to deliver the Strategy commitments, with particular focus on inclusivity, protecting the environment and digital presence. All our collections belong to the people of Wales, and we want to find new ways in which we can make them a relevant and useful resource for everyone to explore and enjoy.
The museum is also home to the Welsh National Herbarium, which contains botanical specimens from Wales and across the world, including the British Bryophyte Society Collection. This is of international importance and represents over 300 years of collecting. These collections underpin our understanding, maintenance and enhancement of biodiversity in Wales and contribute to global research in taxonomy.
You join a Botany Section of six staff, working with the Curator of Lower Plants to ensure that this collection is curated and cared for to maximise access and wider use, and through this deliver the Amgueddfa Cymru commitments. You will use your taxonomic expertise to develop the lower plant collection though collaborative research projects. This will ensure that the collection remains relevant as an environmental reference resource. Training will be provided if your taxonomic experience has previously been with higher plants. You will develop new partnerships with relevant bodies to promote use of the collection. You will play a role in delivering the Museum’s goal to safeguard and increase biodiversity across its eight sites though biodiversity surveys. These will also involve community and special interest group participation. You will take part in public events, activities and engage with social media to promote the collection and the Natural Sciences department. Reporting currently to Co-Interim Head of Natural Sciences and to the Head of Botany when the post is appointed.