Vacancies
-
The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) needs keen and enthusiastic individuals to support the Garden’s mission to explore, conserve and explain the world of plants.
We have four sites around Scotland, Dawyck Botanic Garden near Peebles, Benmore Botanic Garden near Dunoon, Logan Botanic Garden near Stranraer and in Edinburgh.
We currently employ around 300 staff and work with around 300 volunteers to achieve our objectives.
The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is committed to ensuring that all staff and customers are treated equally irrespective of their age, disability, gender reassignment, race, religion or belief, sex, sexual orientation, marriage or civil partnership and pregnancy or maternity. Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion strategy may be downloaded from the link further down the page.
-
Related Links
Employee Benefits and Discounts
If you require the above download documents in an alternative format, please email recruitment@rbge.org.uk or call 0131 552 7171.
Current vacancies
Would you like to travel to Scotland, connect with nature and play a role in species conservation? Are you looking for support to expand your academic knowledge and hands-on horticulture skills? The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh in partnership with the A.G Leventis Foundation is offering an Advanced Internship for passionate individuals from Cyprus.
This opportunity is open to those with an interest in, or experience of horticulture, or from a related field of environmental conservation. Participants will have the chance to work at a leading botanic garden and a global centre for biodiversity science, horticulture and education. As well as the chance to have hands-on experience to help conserve one of the world’s richest botanical collections at our four gardens – Edinburgh, Benmore, Dawyck and Logan. Interns will be based in Edinburgh, with potential for time at our other sites across Scotland
Support offered: Travel costs, accommodation and living cost stipend.
Duration and date of internship: Varies – up to 3 months. Awards will be made in 2024 and 2025, with first internships to take place in Autumn/Winter 2024.
Eligibility: In order to qualify for internship, applicants must fulfil certain requirements. These include:
• Applicants need to be at least 18 years old and resident in Cyprus
• Applicants must have solid communication skills in English
• Applicants must be highly interested in horticulture, nature, and conservation work.
• Applicants must be motivated to be part of a conservation programme, must be team players but also independent workers, must be flexible and eager to acquire new knowledge
• An academic background in horticulture, or a field related to plant/biodiversity science is an advantage, but not a must. This internship is intended to give people from various backgrounds experience of working at a Botanic Garden.
• This opportunity is not salaried and applicants must be eligible for a UK Tier 5 Visa.
To apply, please email development@rbge.org.uk with:
• your CV and covering letter in English outlining the skills, knowledge and experience you’d bring to the post
• a completed equal opportunities questionnaire: EOQ form
Closing date: 12pm (BST) on Monday 28 October 2024
Applications provided after this date will be considered for internships in 2025.
Applicants will be notified of the outcome of their application by the end of October.
Interview date: TBC
Full-time (35 hours), permanent, based in Edinburgh
Salary £60,687 to £66,845 per year, plus civil service pension and other benefits
RBGE is a world leading botanical institute and international visitor attraction taking positive action for plants and people; from local communities across Scotland, to more than 40 countries around the world. Our priority is to tackle the biodiversity crisis and the climate emergency, and to support the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. Our work builds on our 354-year history as a scientific botanic garden and centre of education with internationally important botanical collections, and extensive international partnerships. Our four Scottish gardens – Benmore, Dawyck, Logan and ‘The Botanics’ in Edinburgh – comprise one of the richest plant collections on earth.
Your role will be to lead the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh’s public engagement activity including, communities, public events, family programming, art and exhibitions, and interpretation across its four gardens to ensure an impactful programme. Your role is key in developing and delivering strategies to engage diverse audiences, key stakeholders, and partners, raising awareness of our mission, connecting people to plants and generating income.
Bringing your creativity and passion for engaging audiences through innovative means, you will drive forward the engagement strategy and operations for RBGE Edinburgh, as well as through our three regional gardens. Sparking curiosity and bringing joy to engage audiences, connecting them with plants, nature, and the arts daily to make a difference to the biodiversity crisis and climate emergency.
A full job description and person specification for this role is available in the recruitment brochure and can be downloaded below.
Applications are particularly welcome from racial and ethnic minority groups, and other protected characteristics who are underrepresented at RBGE.
To apply, please email recruitment@rbge.org.uk with:
• your CV
• a covering letter outlining the skills, knowledge and experience you’d bring to the post
• a completed equal opportunities questionnaire: EOQ form
Closing date: midday (GMT) on 29 October 2024
Interview date: Interviews will be 14 November 2024
Recruitment Information: Recruitment Brochure
If you haven’t heard from us within 2 weeks of the closing date, please assume your application hasn’t been successful on this occasion. No recruitment agencies please
35 hours per week, fixed term (18 months) starting 13 January 2025
Salary: £25,424, plus civil service pension and other benefits
We have a fabulous opportunity for a Horticulturist to develop and gain experience in the cultivation, propagation, and conservation of alpine plants at some of the most important establishments in the country. Funded by the Alpine Garden Society, you will primarily be based at RBGE with placements at Haweswater, Harlow Carr, Birmingham Botanic Garden and Goteborg. You will also have the opportunity to be involved in AGS activities and events: Seed Exchange, AGS Garden maintenance, Flower Shows, etc.
You will receive training in all aspects of growing alpine plant cultivation and how to use these plants effectively in displays. This will include being involved in maintaining and enhancing the alpine plant collections in all the gardens, the propagation, and maintenance of alpine plant collections as well as plant record management. In addition, time will be spent visiting other gardens and institutes. As part of the placement, you will be required to post weekly social media posts and a monthly blog as well as produce an end of programme report.
Applicants should have a passion for growing alpine plants and be qualified to SVQ Level 1/2 or equivalent, be able to work to very high horticultural standards, be computer literate, able to work in a group situation or individually, be highly motivated and be a good communicator. Additionally, the successful candidate should ideally have some knowledge of botanical horticulture and garden maintenance.
Applications are particularly welcome from racial and ethnic minority groups, and other protected characteristics who are underrepresented at RBGE.
To apply please email recruitment@rbge.org.uk with:
• your CV
• a covering letter outlining the skills, knowledge and experience you’d bring to the post
• a completed equal opportunities questionnaire: EOQ form
Closing date: 12pm GMT on 8 November 2024
Interview date: 20 November 2024 at Harlow Carr
Recruitment information: Job description and person specification
If you have not heard from us within 2 weeks of the closing date, please assume that your application has not been shortlisted. No recruitment agencies please.
Freelance, based in Edinburgh or remote
£20.00 per hour; hours agreed with the Programme Coordinator
RBGE is a world leading botanical institute and international visitor attraction taking positive action for plants and people; from local communities across Scotland, to more than 40 countries around the world. Our priority is to tackle the biodiversity crisis and the climate emergency, and to support the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. Our work builds on our 354-year history as a scientific botanic garden and centre of education with internationally important botanical collections, and extensive international partnerships. Our four Scottish gardens – Benmore, Dawyck, Logan and ‘The Botanics’ in Edinburgh – comprise one of the richest plant collections on earth.
We are looking for a freelance Tutor to support the delivery and continued development of our Diploma in Botanical Illustration by facilitating student learning and providing guidance on botanical subjects relevant to the course.
Applications are particularly welcome from racial and ethnic minority groups, and other protected characteristics who are underrepresented at RBGE.
Recruitment information: Job description and person specification
To note interest, please submit a CV and covering letter to jpestell@rbge.org.uk.
Notes of interest will be accepted until the 31st of October 2024.
Permanent, full-time post (35 hours), based in Edinburgh
Starting salary £45,712 plus civil service pension, generous holiday entitlement, and other benefits
We are looking for an experienced and passionate plantsperson to join the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh as Deputy Curator of the Living Collection - Edinburgh. This is a crucial role requiring a holistic and flexible approach to horticulture and collections management, balancing the aims of biodiversity enrichment, climate change adaptation, threatened species conservation, biosecurity, and world-class presentation standards to maintain our position as a world leading garden.
You will excel at maintaining and developing a living collection to meet the needs of conservation, research, and education programmes, for inspiring and delighting visitors, and developing income.
You will also lead and motivate the gardens team in Edinburgh, working collaboratively across departments to develop and deliver RBGE strategy goals and a great visitor experience.
If you have proven management experience with a botanic garden or equivalent landscape, have excellent communication, project management and digital skills, and have good working plant knowledge, particularly of glasshouse and temperate plants then we’d love to hear from you.
To apply, please email recruitment@rbge.org.uk with:
• your CV
• a covering letter outlining the skills, knowledge and experience you’d bring to the post
• a completed equal opportunities questionnaire: EOQ form
Closing date: Monday 11 November 2024 10am GMT
Interview date: 18/19 November 2024
Recruitment Information: Recruitment brochure
Further information about us can be found at https://www.rbge.org.uk/
If you have not heard from us within 2 weeks of the closing date, please assume that your application has not been shortlisted. No recruitment agencies please.
Full-time (35 hours), permanent, based in Benmore, near Dunoon, Argyll
Starting salary £45,712 plus civil service pension, generous holiday entitlement, and other benefits
One of the four gardens of RBGE, Benmore Botanic Garden attracts an average of 40,000 visitors per year, and is one of the finest gardens in Britain, with stunning displays of rhododendrons and magnolias. The Garden has one of the finest avenues of Giant Redwoods in the country, and a fully restored Victorian fernery. There are important plant collections from China, Japan, Bhutan, North and South America, and spectacular views across the surrounding landscapes.
We are looking for an experienced and passionate leader to join us as Curator of Benmore Botanic Garden. You’ll be responsible for the planning, management, development, and presentation of the garden to the highest horticultural standard, liaising with many internal and external stakeholders. You’ll also lead and motivate the gardens team, working collaboratively across RBGE departments to develop and deliver RBGE strategy goals and a great visitor experience.
If you’ve got proven management experience within a botanic garden, experience of working within a multi-site organisation, have excellent communication, project management and digital skills, and are looking for your next challenge in a stunning location then we’d love to hear from you.
To apply, please email recruitment@rbge.org.uk with:
• your CV
• a covering letter outlining the skills, knowledge and experience you’d bring to the post
• a completed equal opportunities questionnaire: EOQ form
Closing date: Midday (12pm GMT) on Tuesday 19 November 2024
Interview date: Thursday 28 November 2024 at Benmore
Recruitment Information: Recruitment brochure
Further information about us can be found at https://www.rbge.org.uk/visit/benmore-botanic-garden/
If you have not heard from us within 2 weeks of the closing date, please assume that your application has not been shortlisted. No recruitment agencies please.
Permanent, part time post: 3 days Tues, Sat, Sun (21 hours), we will also consider a two day /one day split. Based in Edinburgh.
Salary £25,424 (prorated for part time hours*), plus civil service pension, generous holiday entitlement and other benefits.
The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is one of the world’s top four botanic gardens based on quality, breadth and depth of our science, plant collections, public engagement and education and we have an exciting opportunity for a Visitor Welcome Team member to join our team.
The primary focus of this role is to ensure that visitors receive a first-class welcome and have all the information they need to create a memorable visit. You will also have the responsibility of promoting and selling Garden Maps, Guidebooks and Daily Garden Walks and encouraging donations. The team remit also includes working with the events and exhibitions team to provide access and information to various public exhibitions and events. You will also be responsible for ensuring the protection of the Living Collection, opening, closing and security of various Garden buildings. You will be expected to carry out all duties in line with RBGE procedures and policies.
Applicants should have previous experience working in a visitor or customer service environment. You will be proactive and take responsibility for your own workload, prioritising to meet conflicting demands of a busy attraction, have a can-do attitude, have excellent interpersonal skills, and have the ability to communicate with people at all levels. You will need to be flexible and adaptable to meet the needs of an ever-changing environment.
Hours will vary through the year due the Garden opening hours:
February to October - 9:15-17:15 (tbc)
November to January - 8:15-16:15 (tbc)
To apply, please email recruitment@rbge.org.uk with:
• your CV
• a covering letter outlining the skills, knowledge and experience you’d bring to the post. Please also specify the working days you are available (Tuesday, Saturday, Sunday).
• a completed equal opportunities questionnaire: EOQ Form
Closing date: 12pm (midday GMT) on Monday 4th November 2024
Interview date: Tuesday 19th November 2024
Recruitment Information: Job description and person specification
If you haven’t heard from us within 2 weeks of the closing date, please assume your application hasn’t been successful on this occasion. No recruitment agencies please.
*Pro-rated salary for 3 days: £15254.40
2 days: £10169.60
1 days: £5084.80
Full-time (35 hours), fixed term – 18 months, based in Edinburgh with potential for some hybrid working
Salary £36,904 per annum, plus civil service pension and other benefits
RBGE is a world leading botanical institute and international visitor attraction taking positive action for plants and people; from local communities across Scotland, to more than 40 countries around the world. Our priority is to tackle the biodiversity crisis and the climate emergency, and to support the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity. Our work builds on our 354-year history as a scientific botanic garden and centre of education with internationally important botanical collections, and extensive international partnerships. Our four Scottish gardens – Benmore, Dawyck, Logan and ‘The Botanics’ in Edinburgh – comprise one of the richest plant collections on earth.
Working closely with the Interpretation and Design lead, you will support the creative development of briefs for range of contract deliverables including: interpretive content and/or design for panels, exhibitions, events, interactive displays, printed leaflets, signage, marketing and communication materials and other related design-based media. You’ll support the delivery of RBGE’s Interpretation and Design Framework as well as develop interpretive content and/or design solutions with sensitivity and understanding of the interpretive content and context for display at all four Gardens.
Applicants should be qualified or experienced in audience focused interpretive content development or interpretive design, be a team worker, have good communication skills and be knowledgeable in best practice – delivering creative, affordable maintainable and sustainable solutions.
Applications are particularly welcome from racial and ethnic minority groups, and other protected characteristics who are underrepresented at RBGE.
To apply, please email recruitment@rbge.org.uk with:
- your CV
- a covering letter outlining the skills, knowledge and experience you’d bring to the post
- a completed equal opportunities questionnaire: EOQ form
Closing date: midday (GMT) on Friday 15 November 2024
Interview date: 26/27 November 2024
Recruitment Information: Job description and person specification
If you haven’t heard from us within 2 weeks of the closing date, please assume your application hasn’t been successful on this occasion. No recruitment agencies please.
Full-time (35 hours), permanent post, based in Edinburgh
Salary £30,779 (rising to £31,080 from January 2025), plus civil service pension and other benefits.
The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is one of the world’s top four botanic gardens based on the quality, breadth and depth of our science, plant collections, public engagement, and education. We are now looking for a Learning Technologist to join our Biodiversity Education and Training Department.
You will be working as part of a small online learning team to help us maintain, improve and extend our educational online offer on PropaGate Learning which covers courses in horticulture, climate change, garden history, botany, herbology and botanical illustration. Online resources are also provided for children, young people and schools/families, primarily through the National Lottery Heritage Fund project ‘Planting Connections’.
Your role will primarily involve setting up, supporting, and developing online courses and resources for both for adults and young people to engage them with Plants and Fungi, to provide an accessible means of learning new green skills and empower them to make change.
You will create and maintain educational content for synchronous and asynchronous delivery, including audiovisual and interactive course materials. You will also provide staff with the skills to use PropaGate Learning and other learning technology tools such as webinars, VR headsets and camera equipment. Key to this role will be your communication skills and your flair for the creation of engaging interactive content.
For informal enquiries about the role, please email Jane Robertson (Learning Technology Manager) at jrobertson@rbge.org.uk
To apply please email recruitment@rbge.org.uk with:
- your cv
- a covering letter outlining the skills, knowledge and experience you’d bring to the post
- a completed equal opportunities questionnaire: EOQ form
Closing date: 9.00am (GMT) on Thursday 7th November 2024
Interview date: w/c 18th November 2024
Recruitment information: Job description and person specification
If you have not heard from us within 2 weeks of the closing date, please assume that your application has not been shortlisted. No recruitment agencies please.
-
Contact Recruitment
If you have any enquiry about our job vacancies, you can contact us using the form below.
Get in Touch
Botanics Recommends
-
Shop online
Explore our range of unique gifts and more. Every purchase supports the Garden.
-
Host an Event
Explore our unique venues, suitable for every occasion
-
Botanics Books
Discover a range of books inspired by the RBGE's work and collections
-
Short Courses
Cultivate your curiosity with our programme of courses for all ages and interests.