Lichen Biodiversity Scientist at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh

Lichen Biodiversity Scientist
£23,828 to £29,548 - Pay Band D

Applications are invited for a Lichen Biodiversity Scientist to join the Cryptogam Research Group at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.

The successful candidate will demonstrate strong potential to become a leading research scientist, with a commitment to success in publication, grant funding and student teaching/supervision. The ideal candidate will demonstrate exceptional strengths in morphological taxonomy and molecular systematics, and will be able to clearly articulate the relevance of this expertise towards issues in practical conservation.

The post holder will be expected to develop a novel research programme which builds on the legacy of taxonomic excellence at RBGE. This will make use of the well known British lichen flora - combined with modern molecular techniques to generate new insights into the pattern and process of lichen diversity. There will be opportunity to transfer research from Britain to explore aspects of global lichen diversity -
particularly in reference to major focal regions for RBGE, for example Arabian Peninsula, Sino-Himalaya, SE Asia, and South America. RBGE has an existing research programme in lichen conservation biology and the post holder will be expected to champion systematics and/or molecular biology in addressing global environmental change. As well as meeting the essential criteria detailed above, applicants should also have a PhD and a current, clean driving licence.

This post attracts generous holiday entitlement and civil service pension benefits.
Applicants must be eligible to work in the UK. If the successful applicant is a resident from outwith the EU they must be able to secure their own work permit.

A full job description and person specification can be obtained from Irene Morrice on 0131 248 2814 (i.morrice@rbge.org.uk).

Applications should be made by way of CV and covering letter. Your covering letter should demonstrate excellence, including information on motivation, previous research/botanical experience and career aspirations. Applications should be sent to Irene Morrice either by e-mail or by post to the HR Department, Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, 20a Inverleith Row, Edinburgh, EH3 5LR.

CV's must be received no later than Friday, 21 May 2010. Interviews will be held on Monday, 7 June 2010.