Botanist

Botanists study plants, from trees and flowers to algae, fungi, lichen, ferns, grasses and mosses.

There are many different roles for botanists. They can work in:

• field research, conducting scientific surveys of natural habitats, identifying, recording and monitoring plant species, and searching for new species
• conservation, protecting, managing and enhancing plant life
• laboratory research
• lecturing, in a university or college
• managing plant collections, eg as a curator of a botanic garden.

Hours vary depending on the exact nature of the job. Botanists working in research and higher education usually work a standard full time week, Monday to Friday. Those working in field and conservation work may be required to work irregular hours, including weekends. Experimental botanists spend most of their time in laboratories conducting research, while environmental botanists often spend a lot of time in the field making observations. Field researchers can spend most of their time outdoors, although this may vary depending on the time of year.

Salaries may range from around £16,000 to £45,000 a year.

A botanist needs:

• a logical and enquiring mind
• to be able to keep accurate records of research
• good problem-solving skills
• good communication skills
• an interest in science and plants.

There are around 5,000 botanists in the UK and competition for jobs can be intense. Employers include universities, private research organisations, conservation organisations, local authorities, government agencies, nature reserves and country parks, botanical gardens and museums, and food and pharmaceutical companies.

It is possible to enter at trainee or technician level with qualifications such as GCSEs or A levels, but most botanists have degrees. Successful applicants have often spent time working as volunteers for relevant organisations. For some careers, a postgraduate qualification is required. The Diploma in environmental and land-based studies may also be an advantageous qualification to have achieved.

Some employers provide on-the-job training. It is also possible to study for postgraduate qualifications whilst at work. Training programmes in biological recording skills are available.

Field and conservation botanists usually progress by taking on more responsibility. In universities, botanists may be promoted from researcher to lecturer, then to higher grades. There may be an established career structure in commercial companies, with experienced botanists being promoted to more senior positions.

Some botanists become self-employed and work as freelance consultants. There may also be opportunities to work abroad.

Further details