Carers in Public Horticulture
Career Category:
Plant Collections
Position Title:
Director of Research
Position Summary
- Develops and leads scientific, botanical research programs, coordinates implementation of research at the garden, and manages publication and public information efforts
- This position often requires a Ph.D. and 5-10 years of experience
- Other abilities: excellent communication, business, and supervisory skills
2006 APGA Salary Range
$54,440 to $127,000
Career Profiles of Directors of Research
Dr. James Harbage
Title
Research and Production Leader, Longwood Gardens
Job Responsibilities
- Supervise production and purchase of 140,000 pots of seasonal color crops in 4 acres of greenhouse and container field space. Supervise nursery operations focused on production and purchase of hardy plants from propagation phase through 6-10" caliper specimen trees on 13 acres of field space.
- Supervise research efforts focused on plant exploration, plant trials, plant tissue culture, breeding, plant culture, and control of habit and flowering in floral crops
- Supervise management of plant records and mapping for 70,000 total records, including 11,000 current taxa mainly occuring on ~300 acres, which includes the naming and distribution of ~2-3 new plant cultivars each year.
- Responsible for 18 full-time, 3 part-time, and 5-12 seasonal staff
Educational Background
- B.S. in Horticulture, Floriculture emphasis, University of Maryland
- M.S. in Horticulture, Plant Tissue Culture emphasis, University of Maryland
- Ph.D, in Horticulture, Plant Physiology emphasis, University of Wisconsin
Practical Experience
- Greenhouse Manager- 3 years
- Assistant Professor, South Dakota State University, 4 years
- Associate Professor, South Dakota State University, 2 years
Favorite Part of Job
"Evaluating many diverse and unusual plants, learning their culture, and producing them in ways that allow them to be showcased in spectacular ornamental ways."
dr. Jim Affolter
Title
Director of Research and Professor of Horticulture, State Botanical Garden of Georgia
Job Responsibilities
- Serve as a liaison between the botanical garden and the academic units of the University
- Develop and supervise an active research program
- Teach undergraduate and graduate courses on campus, and participate in the Garden's educational programs, including seminars, workshops, and symposia
Educational Background
- Ph.D. in Botany, University of Michigan
- M.S. in Botany, University of Michigan
- B.S. in Biology, Williams College
Practical Experience
- Director, Cornell Plantations
- Curator, University of California Botanical Garden, Berkeley
- Extensive field work in Latin America
Favorite Part of Job
"I have worked in university botanical gardens for the last thirty years and I love the unique mix that this environment provides: research, teaching, working with plants, supporting conservation, and being a part of the broader museum community."
Advice
"Develop some technical expertise early in your career, and learn to write well. Pay attention to what other museums are doing. You can put many of their good ideas to use, too. Collaborate and develop a professional network."
Why is Public Horticulture a Good Career Choice?
"If you enjoy the combination of life-long learning, working in a beautiful environment, working with the public, and feeling good about what you do, you're in the right place!"