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We have an opportunity for a placement internship or graduate internship in natural products chemistry on an externally funded project on the chemistry and pesticidal effects of minor constituents of Croton megalocarpus oil.
The role
This project will explore the use of Croton oil as an excipient in pyrethrum products or using the oil directly as a treatment on crops to protect against pests, and to support pyrethrum revival to enhance livelihoods of small holders in Kenya, while establishing a new stream of income from sale of Croton nuts.
About you
You will have experience in extraction of plant materials, solvent-solvent partitioning, guided fractionation, formulation and insecticidal assays, the operation of and interpretation of spectrometry data from NMR, LC-MS, GC-MS and other techniques. This post will suit a chemist or a biochemist (an undergraduate studying chemistry, biochemistry, or a subject related to this project).
During your university course, you will have gained experience of practical laboratory experiments, including techniques in chemistry. Alongside experience of collecting, analysing, and evaluating data, with an emphasis on chemical data.
In addition to the job profile competencies, you will have the ability to manage time effectively and prioritise your own workload and will be able to work to deadlines and show initiative. The successful internship student will undertake chemical analysis of plants sampled from Kew’s extensive living and herbarium collections, taking advantage of the state-of-the-art facilities (including LC-MS and NMR spectroscopy) in the unique environment of Kew.
Additional info
This role is based at Kew with the option of regular home working, subject to operational requirements.
Interviews are due to commence during the middle of August.
Please include education dates on the application form.
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.
Benefits
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.
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.
