Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew

2010 will be an exciting year for Kew as we continue to focus on the Breathing Planet Programme. The programme was launched in 2009, Kew’s 250th anniversary year, and is Kew’s action plan to inspire and deliver plant conservation worldwide.

In order to support the delivery of the Breathing Planet Programme, we are seeking to recruit a group of Senior Developers with expert knowledge of developing and managing applications, ideally in a scientific environment. Providing expertise in the field of biodiversity informatics they will form part of the Science Applications team (IT) responsible for delivering an ambitious Science and Horticulture Systems project, which forms part of the Kew IT and Digital Media Strategy.

The roles will be offered on a fixed-term contract; The Senior Developer and Senior Developer (eTaxonomy) posts are two year fixed-term appointments; the Senior Developer (Grasses) post is a 12 month fixed-term appointment.

The post holders will work with the science applications team (IT), key scientists and other contracted resources to ensure continuation of business as usual service provision to internal and external stakeholders. In addition, the post holders will take on Science and Horticulture Systems project-related tasks as and when required. Through working alongside the scientists and horticultural teams, they will be involved in analysing and documenting requirements for new systems and enhancements to and maintenance of existing systems.

As well as this, the roles will include individual specialisation-based or project work and designing, implementing and releasing software systems. The post holder will mentor and supervise colleagues and other staff as required and carry out user training and support.

Pro-active and quick thinking, the post holders will possess a recognised qualification in Computer Science or Biodiversity Informatics, or equivalent work-based knowledge. Proven expertise in one or more of the following is essential: Sybase Adaptive Server and MySQL, Java, HTML, Eclipse and/or CVS, Unix/Linux and BPMN, UML or DSDM. A background in using procedural and object-orientated programming techniques and knowledge of SOA is required, as is first rate communication skills in order to liaise confidently with internal and external stakeholders.

Salary is from £30,786 per annum and benefits include 30 days holiday per year, a choice of defined benefit or stakeholder pension, a flexible benefits scheme as well as a great working environment.

Closing date: Friday 19th March 2010, 12pm. Interview Date: 31st March & 1st April