Role Description
Volunteering Role:Sandwich Intern – Science Policy and Communications
Directorate:Science
Department:Office of the Science Directorate (OSD)
Volunteer Supervisors:Science Administrator (Education),plusspecificmembersof OSD staff on a daily basis
Location:Kew Gardens (London)
Kew is a global resource for plant and fungal knowledge. As a voluntary Science Intern you willjoin a vibrant team of scientific support staff and volunteers, contributing to the achievement of one or more of Kew’s three strategic science priorities:
- To document and conduct research into global plant and fungal diversity,and its uses for humanity
- To curate and provide data-rich evidence from Kew’s unrivalled collections as a global asset for scientific research
- To disseminate our scientific knowledge of plants and fungi, maximising its impact in science, education, conservation policy and management
These priorities enable us to curate, enhance, use, explore and share Kew’s global resources – providing robust data and a strong evidence base for our UK and international stakeholders.
Internship overview
Sandwich internships last for one year (September 2017 – August 2018) and provide valuable training and professionalwork experience for students after the second year of their undergraduate course.
Interns work alongside Kew’s leading experts and have access to our world-renowned collections of plants and fungi, library and facilities.
The successful candidate will support the work and contribute to the outputs of several teams across the Office of the Science Directorate (OSD). The OSD is composed of five dynamic teams covering Science Policy, Education and Communications, Research Services, Health and Safety, and Administration. Please visit the Kew Science webpages for more information about our work.
Main tasks
Your internship will be divided into mini-placements providing you with the opportunity to work alongside different team members for a few months, gaining specialist knowledge and expertise from each. Specific projects and activities include:
Developingcountryguideson legal plant collecting:To help ensure that Kew staff collects plant material according to national legislation and internal procedures, you will develop a series of country-specific flowcharts and step-by-step guides.You will research and collate up to date guidance information from a range of sources (including websites, existing Kew documents, and discussions with Kew staff and partners) and then develop an easy to use, searchable intranet resource, in a replicable format that can be built upon with further country-specific guidance.
Events support: You will contribute towards the planning and delivery key events in the Kew Science calendar, such as our international State of the World’s Plants Symposium, Kew Science Festival, annual Science Away Day and weekly science seminars. Responsibilities could include delegate liaison, marketing and promotion, developing/delivering communications plans, drafting and editing documents, preparing briefings, web editing, evaluation, help with running events, and general administration.
Digital communications: You will assist our science communications team in updating and managing the kew.org website, intranet and social media. This will include liaising with Science staff to procure news stories, blogs, information about current science activities/projects and internal guidance notes. You will also draft, proofread and publish digital content, manage databases and carry out general administrative tasks.
Developing an online funding resource for Kew Science: You will support our Research Services team by producing an online information resource for staff applying for funding. You will develop and collate a repository of proposals, lessons learned, golden rules for applying to specific funders, guidance on internal processes, a calendar of deadlines and other useful information.
Developingscience-based,non-detrimental findingsforCITES species traded in the UK:The Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora(CITES) has adopted new listings, which came into legislative effect in February 2017.As the CITES Plant Scientific Authority for the UK, Kewmust make ‘non-detrimental findings’ to ensure that the import and export of species to/from the UK, are not harmful to the survival of that species. You will investigate the biological and trade impact of plant species (through online research, Kew’s library resources and consultation with experts) to compile the best available evidence on whether trade in that species is sustainable. This research is essential with the onset of Brexit as non-detriment findings are traditionally made at the EU level, but the UK will need to manage its decisions independently in the near future.
Training and professional development provided
- Science policy: a basic understanding of international environmental policies and law relating to the work of botanic gardens
- Science communication: social media, writing, copy editing and public engagement
- Events coordination
- Website management/administration
- Research skills
- Data analysis and management
- Administration skills
About you
You will be:
- Over 18 years old
- An undergraduate undertaking a sandwich degree in the biosciences
You will have:
- At least two years’ of university education
- A demonstrated interest in biodiversity, its sustainable use and conservation
- An interest in science communication, science policy and/or law
- An operating knowledge of Microsoft Office (Word, Excel and Powerpoint) and database software
- Experience of collecting and analysing data
- Experience of report writing
- Evidence of the ability to work as part of a team
What you can expect from us
- A full induction and appropriate training with ongoing support
- Well-rounded work experience within specific fields to develop knowledge, understanding and skills
- To be allocated clear roles and responsibilities
- To be treated fairly and with respect
- A friendly and dedicated team
- Access to Kew’s collections of living and preserved plants and fungi, as well as its economic botany andLibrary, Art Archive collections
- An opportunity to participate in Kew’s internationally renowned science and conservation programmes
- Reimbursement of travel expenses up to a set value in line with Kew’s volunteer policy
What we expect from you
- To carry out your activities in a way that corresponds with Kew’s aims and values
- To attend training and meetings, as required
- To learn about the work of Kew
- To participate in the life of the organisation
- Commitment to the hours and days agreed with your supervisor
- To be reliable and punctual
- To follow Kew policies andprocedures
Application and recruitment procedure
Please complete the electronic application form, including details of an academic referee (e.g. your university tutor or supervisor).
Shortlisted applicants will be invited for a discussion with a recruitment panel in May.
Contact
For further information, please contact:
Pat Griggs, Science Administrator (Education)
Phone: 020 8332 5625
Email:
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