Job Details
As one of the great gardens of the world located just 30 miles outside of Philadelphia, Longwood Gardens is rooted in a steadfast mission of bringing joy and inspiration to everyone through the beauty of nature, conservation, and learning. Across our many departments, each and every staff member creates the magic that makes our Gardens distinctive. Our team of dynamic professionals is what sets us apart, and our spirit of legacy, innovation, and opportunity is what guides us. While beauty is our heart, our people are our soul.
Longwood Gardens is seeking a full-time Research Specialist to coordinate, propagate, grow, maintain, evaluate, and select research plants and their trials resultsResponsibilities include:
- Propagating, maintaining, and evaluating research, breeding, and trialing plants.
- Designing and implementing trials and experiments, with guidance to improve display and culture of plants at Longwood Gardens and to gain and disseminate intellectual capital developed through plant trials and experimentation, through articles, presentations and inter-organization communication.
- Transferring plants from research trials to production and display areas.
- Organizing plant evaluation meetings, recording results of meetings and carrying out directives.
- Developing and maintaining positive relationships with plant production, horticulture designers, and development vendors to that provide new plant materials for trials.
The ideal candidate will have:
- A minimum of 3 years of experience in plant research
- A Bachelor's Degree in horticulture or related field.
- Strong verbal and written communication skills.
- General knowledge of plant propagation and culture. Knowledge of a wide variety of plant species.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Excel, PowerPoint, and BG-Base (or similar plant database).
- Proven experience with controlled greenhouse environment management and making adjustments through an environmental control system like Argus.
- Strong horticultural knowledge propagating and finishing plants and demonstrated adherence to best management practices.
- Strong organizational skills
- Basic knowledge of laboratory procedures and experimental methods.
- Ability to operate a variety of machinery.
- Valid Pennsylvania driver's license.
- Have a Pennsylvania pesticide applicator's license or be willing to obtain it within the fist year of employment
- Ability to bend, stand, kneel, and sit for prolonged periods of time and lift 50 lbs.
Longwood Gardens is committed to nurturing a diverse and inclusive environment that celebrates the complexities and differences of all living things. We welcome and respect diverse backgrounds, life experiences, and perspectives. Diversity creates a more beautiful world, sparks innovation, and unites us.