The Scottish Rock Garden Club is delighted to support an exciting 18‑month internship within the Alpine Section at the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh.
Hands‑on experience
Gain specialist horticultural skills
Work with outstanding alpine and woodland plant collections and experts
Involvement in plant conservation projects
Visits to other botanic gardens
European plant study tour to observe alpine species in their natural habitats
Alpine Horticulturist Internship
Full Time (35 hours), fixed term (18 months), based in Edinburgh
Salary: £27,366, plus civil service pension, generous holiday entitlement and other benefits
Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh (RBGE) is a world-leading centre for horticulture, plant science and conservation. With a rich living collection and a global reputation for protecting plant diversity, RBGE offers a unique opportunity to learn from expert horticulturists while contributing to the cultivation and conservation of some of the world's most fascinating plants.
RBGE are looking for an enthusiastic and motivated individual with experience in botanical horticulture and a keen interest in alpine plants to join our Alpine and Woodland team. This hands-on role will provide the opportunity to develop specialist skills in plant identification, propagation, cultivation and conservation while working across our renowned Rock, Alpine and Woodland Gardens. You'll work closely with experienced colleagues and contribute to the care of internationally significant plant collections, including working in other Botanic Gardens, experiencing seeing plants in their natural habitats and in helping support Alpine conservation initiatives with our Nature Restoration team.
You'll contribute to plant record keeping, departmental projects, alpine show displays and public engagement activities, including writing a monthly blog for the Scottish Rock Garden Club. This is an excellent opportunity to build specialist horticultural skills while contributing to the conservation of alpine plants as part of one of the worlds leading botanic gardens.
RBGE is unable to sponsor applicants without the right to work in the United Kingdom for this role. It is the applicant's responsibility to ensure eligibility to work in the United Kingdom for the duration of the appointment.
Click here for further details on the RBGE website.
To apply please email with:
your CV
a covering letter outlining the skills, knowledge and experience you bring to the post
a completed equal opportunities questionnaire:
Closing date: midday (GMT) 2 December 2026
Interview date: Tuesday, 15 December 2026
Recruitment Information: Job description and person specification
To discuss the Internship please contact John Mitchell at:
