Junior Botanical Horticulturist (Glasshouses)

Location: Rose Lane, Oxford, OX1 4AZ and occasional work at Harcourt Arboretum, Nuneham Courtenay, OX44 9PX

About us

Our mission at Oxford Botanic Garden and Arboretum is to use our living collections to communicate to the widest possible audience how our future depends on plants. The Friends of Oxford Botanic Garden & Arboretum has around 3000 members, and their activities help to raise vital funds to support the work of Oxford University Botanic Garden and Harcourt Arboretum.

About the role

Oxford Botanic Garden and Arboretum is seeking a junior horticulturist to help cultivate and maintain the plant collections grown at the Botanic Garden, with occasional work at the Arboretum. You will contribute to the day-to-day work, both in the glasshouses, and outdoors, working closely with Horticultural Supervisors and the Curator and Head of Horticulture (CHH) to achieve high horticultural standards. 

This is a permanent, full-time position, working 36.5 hours per week. 

This role will involve some regular manual handling and lone working, amongst other hazards. Please refer to the job description and selection criteria for further information. 

About You

You should have a Level 2 (or higher) horticultural qualification, or demonstrable practical experience, the ability to work outdoors in all weathers and the ability to perform manual labour, including bending, lifting, and kneeling. 

What We Offer

As an employer, we genuinely care about our employees’ wellbeing and this is reflected in the range of benefits that we offer including:

• An excellent contributory pension scheme
• 38 days of annual leave
• A comprehensive range of childcare services
• Family leave schemes
• Cycle loan scheme
• Discounted bus travel and Season Ticket travel loans 

More information is available at https://hr.admin.ox.ac.uk/staff-benefits 

Diversity

Our staff and students come from all over the world, and we proudly promote a friendly and inclusive culture. Diversity is positively encouraged, through diverse groups and champions, as well as a number of family-friendly policies, such as the right to apply for flexible working and support for staff returning from periods of extended absence, for example, shared parental leave. 

We are committed to ensuring that our recruitment processes are inclusive and accessible. If you require the job description or any other materials in an alternative format, or if you would like to request any adjustments to support you through the application or interview process, please contact the recruitment team at recruitment@glam.ox.ac.uk. 

How to apply

You will be required to upload your CV and a supporting evidence form using the attached template as part of your online application. Your supporting evidence form should list each of the essential and desirable selection criteria, as listed in the job description, and explain how you meet each one. Both documents must be submitted to be considered. 

We aim to provide a supportive working environment and are happy to discuss training and professional development opportunities. To make informal enquiries about the post please contact recruitment@obg.ox.ac.uk. General queries about the recruitment and application process should be directed to the Recruitment team within our Human Resources department (recruitment@glam.ox.ac.uk). 

Only applications received online by 12.00 midday (BST) on Wednesday 11 June 2025 can be considered. Interviews are expected to take place during the week commencing Monday 30 June 2025.

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