Head of Library & Archives
Vacancies
Find your next opportunity with us
Current vacancies
Full time (35 hours), permanent, based in Edinburgh Salary £49,204 to £54,875 depending on experience, plus generous holiday entitlement, Civil Service pension and other benefits.
The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) is a world-renowned institution dedicated to plant science, horticulture, and biodiversity conservation. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive environment where innovation thrives, and diverse perspectives are valued. We are seeking an exceptional Head of Library & Archives to help shape the future of our unique National Collections.
Our Library and Archives support the breadth of research, education and public engagement at RBGE. Our vibrant user community includes RBGE staff, students, associates, and visiting readers, with a wide range of scholarly interests. The library holds over 1 million items including books on open shelves, journals, illustrations, maps and theses, and a significant special collection of rare and notable items dating to the 15th century. The Archives contain historic records, correspondence, photographs and notebooks of RBGE since the mid-19th century.
We are looking for a suitably qualified individual, ideally with experience in an academic or research setting, to lead the next chapter for our Library and Archives collections. Reporting to the Deputy Director of Science (Collections), you will lead a small team to guide the development, care and accessibility of the Library and Archives at RBGE. You will implement best practices in collections management and curation of physical and digital collections, oversee compliance with copyright regulations, and introduce new innovations to improve accessibility in our collections.
This is a rare opportunity to work with a unique research collection at the intersection of science and cultural heritage. We are looking for strengths in collaboration, detail, organisation, and innovation. We welcome applicants who can demonstrate relevant experience and transferable skills, and who are motivated to make a difference in an organisation dedicated to nature.
For informal enquiries about the role, please contact Tammi Abey at TAbey@rbge.org.uk.
To apply, please email recruitment@rbge.org.uk with the following:
• Your CV
• A covering letter outlining the skills, knowledge and experience you would bring to the post
Please also electronically complete and submit an equal opportunities questionnaire using the following link: EOQ form. This form should not be included with your email application.
Closing date: Midday (BST) Monday 25 May 2026
Interview date: To be confirmed
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.
Part time (approx 192 hours), fixed term, based in EdinburghTotal tutor fees £4,000
The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) is a world leading centre for plant science, conservation and learning, set within one of Scotland’s most loved public gardens. We welcome thousands of visitors each year and are committed to creating inspiring, inclusive and accessible experiences that help people connect with plants, nature and global biodiversity.
Our Schools’ Learning team is looking for a freelance tutor to assist with The Mighty Oaks Club for children aged 8 – 11 years old. The children will take part in an exciting programme where they will explore the power of plants through activities in the garden and accompanying activities inside. Join our team and play your part in our vision of a positive future for plants, people and the planet.
You will assist our Learning Officer to set up and deliver a wide variety of engaging activities outdoors and in (such as games, nature connection and STEM explorations, arts and crafts) ensuring a warm, inclusive and safe learning environment for the children. You will assist with the welfare of children, supervising breaks and parent-carer drop off and pick up. You will also help support the volunteers who are an essential part of the team. You will receive induction and training necessary for the tutor role.
You will be a great communicator with a proactive positive attitude and a supportive, caring manner. You will be able to reflect and discuss any observations with the team and help to adapt activities and the plan to suit individual children, the energy levels and interests of the group. You will be able to take the initiative and recognise where help may be required without repeated prompting. You will have a sense of fun and curiosity to encourage exploration and learning about plants and nature in an informal setting. You will be committed to safeguarding and communicate any concerns back to the learning officer.
This is great opportunity to get more experience of outdoor learning with primary age children and to join our friendly team.
You will be required to have a PVG Disclosure and your own public liability insurance for this freelance role.
Required dates:
- 29 June – 3 July: training and induction (hybrid), & on-site prep (dates TBC)
- Holiday club week delivery dates: 6 – 10 July, 13 – 17 July, 20 – 24 July and 27 July – 31 July
- Mon 3 – Tues 4 Aug: take down & feedback meeting (details TBC)
RBGE is unable to sponsor applicants without the right to work in the United Kingdom for this freelance role. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure eligibility to work in the United Kingdom for the duration of the workplan.
To apply, please email recruitment@rbge.org.uk with the following:
- Your CV
- A covering letter outlining the skills, knowledge and experience you would bring to the post.
Please also electronically complete and submit an equal opportunities questionnaire using the following link: EOQ form. This form should not be included with your email application.Closing date: 9am, Monday 1 June 2026Interview date: 5–9 June, TBCRecruitment information: Role description and person specification
Workplan
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 per week), permanent post, based in Edinburgh, with some flexible working possible
Starting salary £93,341 plus civil service pension and other benefits
The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is one of the world’s leading botanic gardens based on the quality, breadth and depth of our science, plant collections, public engagement and education. We are now looking to recruit a Director of Finance, Corporate Services & People to join our Executive team at an exciting stage of our development to deliver the high quality corporate, financial and resource management that underpins the continued success of our organisation.
This is a wide-ranging role leading and line managing our Finance, Digital, People and corporate planning teams. You will be the most senior finance presence in the organisation, responsible for developing, leading, and implementing strategic financial plans, and you’ll be the main point of contact with our sponsor team in the Scottish Government for corporate services. You will be Company Secretary for RBGE, and corporate governance will be a key part of the role with overall responsibility for coordinating our strategic and operational planning. You’ll lead our Digital team as they roll out a programme of digital enhancement across the organisation, and our People team as they continue to deliver our People Strategy.
Applicants will ideally be qualified accountants and have a sound understanding of finance and business planning, or an equivalent level of knowledge and experience. Leadership experience at a senior level will be essential, and a solid background in strategic and operational planning will also be needed.
Recruitment information: Candidate information pack
To apply, please email recruitment@rbge.org.uk with the following:
• Your CV
• A covering letter outlining the skills, knowledge and experience you would bring to the post
Please also electronically complete and submit an equal opportunities questionnaire using the following link: EOQ form. This form should not be included with your email application.
Closing date: 17:00 (BST) Thursday, 11 June 2026Interview date: Interviews to be held later in June
If you have not heard from us within two weeks of the closing date, please assume your application has not been successful on this occasion. No recruitment agencies please.
Contact our recruitment team
If you have any questions, or require any documents in an accessible format, please email recruitment@rbge.org.uk or get in touch by using the enquiry form below.