Research Leader; Mycorrhizal Ecology

Join the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, as a Research Leader in Mycorrhizal Ecology (ME) and help shape the future of biodiversity science.

Through a role that generates novel research on mycorrhizal function and diversity and steers ongoing projects, you will contribute to to delivery of the initiatives and impact goals that form Kew's ambitious new Science Strategy 2026–2030 (https://(Use the "Apply for this Job" box below).). This document is advancing our mission to understand and protect plants and fungi for the well-being of people and the future of all life on Earth using our research expertise, collections, people and extraordinary network of partners worldwide.

Mycorrhizal research links particularly to four of its initiatives (Living Labs, Trees and Forests, Rapid Ecosystem Assessment and Restoring Biodiverse Landscapes) and offers a unique opportunity to initiate and lead innovative research that improves our understanding of biodiversity and ecosystem function and resilience, generating evidence that influences biodiversity protection practice, land management and environmental policy in the UK and beyond.

You will contribute to scientific leadership for Kew's portfolio of ME research (Mycorrhizal Ecology | Kew). ME was the fastest growing team in the Science Directorate during the 2021-25 Science Strategy. Your strategic vision will play a part in developing the team’s research on how mycorrhizal fungi underpin ecosystem function, services and resilience to environmental change by researching their diversity and distribution across terrestrial habitats and geographical scales, both nationally and internationally.

There is an increasing need for ecosystem assessment and monitoring that the mycorrhizal ecology team will contribute to through research that delivers solutions for biodiversity protection and ecosystem restoration. Alongside developing and securing funding for an exciting programme of research, you will build partnerships across government, academia and the conservation sector, while leading and inspiring a multidisciplinary team of researchers and students.

We are looking for a biodiversity scientist with innovative ideas who is seeking to further develop their career as an independent researcher, leader and mentor. You will be an outstanding and inspiring scientist with a relevant PhD and significant post-qualification research experience, with a strong track record of research excellence, securing funding and delivering scientific outputs in mycorrhizal ecology and impact through collaborating across disciplines.

You will have an interest in teaching, outreach and impact, with the ability to lead and motivate large and diverse research teams, develop impactful research programmes and build partnerships that translate scientific knowledge into meaningful outcomes for protecting biodiversity and the ecosystem services that is supports.

Depending on the track record, experience and excellence of the successful candidate, we will recruit one role holder at either Senior Research Leader or Research Leader in Mycorrhizal Ecology level. We will not recruit to both.

This is a hybrid role 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…