Senior Gardener

Working hours: 28 hours a week. Standard working hours between 8am and 4pm, Tuesday to Friday.

The Royal College of Physicians is recruiting a senior gardener to cover maternity leave. The garden, which is open to the public, covers just under an acre and is designed to tell the story of medicine through plants. The garden is run in a sustainable and environmentally friendly manner. The team of three gardeners and several volunteers (including eleven physicians) produces a range of publications such as books and trail leaflets and offers educational tours. The team maintains the garden database and runs a website with horticultural, photographic and ethno-botanical information at https://garden.rcplondon.ac.uk/

The garden team also collaborates with and enhances the work of other departments such as the museum and meetings and events.

Purpose and scope

Key responsibilities

• The main purpose of this role is to assist in the advancement of the RCP’s medicinal garden as a place of significant scientific, historical and horticultural interest. You will work under the supervision of the head gardener and the deputy to ensure that the college gardens and grounds are maintained to the highest standard.
• You will be closely involved in pest and disease management of the garden which is carried out using biological controls and sustainable methods.
• You will be required to manage the garden Instagram account and support the running of the guided tour booking system. You will understand and contribute to maintaining the garden database as directed by the plant records officer.
• You will be required to supervise volunteers and to take sole responsibility for the garden on occasion

About you

You will have

• A minimum of 2 years full-time professional horticultural experience, preferably in a botanic or historic garden setting along with a horticultural qualification to at least level 2 RHS or equivalent.
• PA1/PA6 spraying certificates.
• Comprehensive plant knowledge and an interest in the uses of plants along with a familiarity with most gardening practices.
• Familiarity with pest and disease management.
• A strong interest in the uses of plants

​You will be

• Reliable, punctual and energetic.
• Confident to work alone but also willing to work alongside other members of a small and supportive team and to supervise volunteers.
• Friendly and happy to engage with visitors.

For more information about the role and RCP, please view the role description attachment at the bottom of this page. 

How to apply 

Please click "Apply Now" to submit your CV and a supporting statement (no more than 2 pages) explaining, with clear examples, how your skills and experience match the job description and person specification. Applicants who do not submit a relevant supporting statement as requested will not be shortlisted. 

If you have any queries about the application process or the role, please email jane.knowles@rcp.ac.uk 

For an informal discussion about this role, candidates are welcome to contact our recruitment team on:  

Email: recruitment@rcp.ac.uk 

Telephone: 020 3075 1649 

Closing date: 20 November 2025

Interviewing date: 03 December 2025

The RCP positively encourages applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, transgender status, religion or belief, marital status or pregnancy and maternity. 

The RCP is all about our people – our members, staff, volunteers and leaders. We educate, influence and collaborate to improve health and healthcare for everyone and know we can only do this by being inclusive, encouraging and celebrating diverse perspectives. Welcoming into our community people who represent the 21st-century medical workforce and the diverse population of patients we serve is a priority for us.