Senior Technician (Purchasing)

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Science Operations team at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, one of the world's most iconic scientific and horticultural institutions. As the Senior Technician (Purchasing), you will play a vital role in keeping Kew's research running smoothly — managing the purchasing of consumables & equipment and ensuring scientists and researchers have what they need to do their work. Based at Kew, this is a varied and hands-on role at the heart of a world-leading plant and fungal science programme.

This is an exciting opportunity to join the Science Operations team at the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, one of the world's most iconic scientific and horticultural institutions. As the Senior Technician (Purchasing), you will play a vital role in keeping Kew's research running smoothly — managing the purchasing of consumables & equipment and ensuring scientists and researchers have what they need to do their work. Based at Kew, this is a varied and hands-on role at the heart of a world-leading plant and fungal science programme.

Senior Technician (Purchasing)

More details

We are looking for an organised and efficient individual with a background in a relevant technical or scientific role, and a genuine commitment to working within a team. You will have a keen eye for detail and a methodical approach to record-keeping, and the ability to apply your skills practically in a busy research environment. Experience of purchasing, invoicing, or maintaining financial records would be an advantage, as this will be part of the day-to-day duties of the role.

Following a recent restructuring, purchasing across the Research Infrastructure team has been centralised, and this role offers real scope to help shape how the team works going forward. We need someone who can think creatively about problems and build practical solutions — whether that is designing forms to capture ordering information, developing tracking spreadsheets, or finding smarter ways to consolidate expenditure. You will be a confident communicator, able to work closely with laboratory staff, finance and procurement colleagues, and visiting researchers. The ability to manage competing priorities and to pick up new systems quickly are both essential. Experience of supporting less experienced colleagues, and an interest in plant or fungal research, would be a bonus.

Interviews are due to take place w/c 22 June.

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 scientific research, unrivalled collections of plants and fungi, global network of partners, inspirational gardens at Kew and Wakehurst, and our 260 years of history.

Join us on our journey as protectors of the world’s plants and fungi.

The salary for this position is £34,216 per annum [Band C]

Our fantastic benefits package includes opportunities for continuous learning, a generous annual leave entitlement, flexible working to help you maintain a healthy work-life balance, an Employee Assistance Programme and other wellbeing support such as cycle to work scheme and discounted gym membership. We also offer a competitive pension, an employee discount scheme and free entry into a wide range of national museums and galleries, as well as access to our own beautiful gardens at Kew and Wakehurst.

If you are interested in this position, please submit your application through the online portal, by clicking “Apply for this job”.

We are dedicated to equality of opportunity and welcome applications from all sections of the community. We are committed to interview disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the post.

No agencies please.