HOW TO APPLY
Interested applicants should forward their Curriculum Vitae (CV) or an Application Form to the People Department, The National Trust for Scotland, by email via [email protected], by Friday 3rd October 2025.
Please ensure your CV includes your full name and contact details. The CV file sent to us should be titled with your first initial and surname. When submitting your CV please state the position and job location of the vacancy you are applying for in the subject title or body of your email: In this example, "Trainee Lichenologist – NTS."
Please also include a covering letter describing your suitability and fit to the role of no more than one page of A4.
The Role
Are you passionate about lichens and committed to developing your identification and ecological skills in relation to lichenology as part of a paid traineeship? The National Trust for Scotland (NTS) and Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh are working together to support the growth of a trainee lichenologist over a two year period. You are invited to work on some of the finest lichen habitats in Scotland from the uplands of Ben Lawers and Glencoe to the atlantic woodland of Balmacara and the remote islands of St Kilda and Fair Isle. You will engage with national experts to support your learning journey. You will have access to training and world class facilities from the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh plus personal equipment and travel expenses will be provided.
About us
The National Trust for Scotland is the largest conservation charity in Scotland, managing 76,000ha of Scotland’s finest habitats with the support of over 340,000 members. We also support and encourage access to our outdoor places and provide educational and recreational opportunities for our visitors.
The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh is a global centre for biodiversity science and education. We collaborate to advance our goals in plant and fungal research, conservation, education and public engagement – locally, nationally and globally.
What you will do
· Engage with mentors to ensure an effective learning journey.
· Contribute to the development of your personal work programme.
· Engage with the wider network of lichenologists in Scotland.
· Undertake lichenology field work, often at remote sites and occasionally in a lone working situation, including mountains and islands.
· Undertake desk based, library and herbarium research on Scottish lichens.
· Write technical internal reports in relation to lichen survey and conservation and if applicable publish your findings.
· Provide limited technical advice on lichen conservation to NTS staff, as your capability builds.
· Contribute to media work on lichen conservation and the wider work of NTS and RBGE.
· Contribute to the development of risk assessments and safe working on site.
· Support the Trust’s National Nature Team and RBGE’s Conservation Science team with other tasks as relevant.
Your qualifications, experience, knowledge and skills
Applications to the role will include consideration of the below criteria and others as outlined in the Job Description:
Essential
· Prior interest in lichenology.
· Experience of writing basic scientific reports.
· Experience of developing and deploying a personal work or study programme.
· Experience of working with and learning from experts in a scientific setting.
· Experience of research in a related field of taxonomy or ecology, either formally or informally.
· A driving licence for driving within the UK.
· Ability to travel throughout Scotland regularly, including to and within rugged and remote locations.
· Ability to work safely in remote and rugged locations.
· Communication aptitude in a scientific setting, eg study or field work.
Desirable
· Moderate to well-developed expertise in relation to Lichenology.
· A relevant degree or similar qualification.
· Experience of a relevant applied aspect of nature conservation.
· Experience of developing a personal training programme.
· Experience of submitting travel expenses.
· Experience of equipment use relevant to the role, e.g. microscope, GPS or sampling equipment.
· Media experience.
Job Types: Full-time, Temporary
Contract length: 24 months
Pay: £26,757.00-£28,252.00 per year
Work Location: In person
