Teaching Associate in Horticulture

Posting date:	18 March 2026
Salary:	£31,586 to £45,076 per year
Hours:	Full time
Closing date:	17 April 2026
Location:	KY154JB
Remote working:	On-site only
Company:	SRUC
Job type:	Permanent
Job reference:	REQ0478-62309

Summary

About the team

The Horticulture team is at the heart of cultivating knowledge, skills, and innovation in the dynamic world of plants, landscapes, and green spaces. Based across our campuses in Edinburgh, Elmwood, and Oatridge, and in partnership with the Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh, our team brings together experienced horticulturists, garden designers, plant scientists, and educators to deliver a rich and hands-on learning experience.

The Horticulture team delivers a range of courses from introductory to advanced levels. Our lecturers and support staff bring decades of industry experience, from wholesale nursery management to plant health policy. They are passionate about plants and committed to nurturing the next generation of horticultural professionals.

The Opportunity

The successful candidate will be based at SRUC’s Elmwood campus in Cupar, Fife as part of the Horticultural Innovation group in the School of Natural and Social Sciences. They will prepare, deliver and assess modules typically in all areas and levels of amenity and production horticulture related subjects and will also be involved in a range of other related activities such as delivery of appropriate training courses as well as Year Tutor duties. The successful candidate will be managed by the Senior lecturer for the Horticulture and Landscape programme at the Elmwood campus.

SCOPE OF THE POST

1. Teaching of Horticulture related modules across a range of disciplines including, but not limited to, garden design, social and community horticulture, garden and greenspace maintenance, horticultural machinery, production Horticulture
   

• Preparation of teaching and learning materials including those required for flexible and blended learning
  
• Organisation of practical skills training
  
• Associated CPD
  
• Delivery of Horticulture teaching across all levels of provision from SCQF levels 4 to 7
  
• Year Tutor Duties
  
  1. Member of the Horticulture programme Core Team.
     
  • Attendance at Core Team Meetings
    
  • Attendance at Student Liaison Group meetings
    
  • Participation in Induction Week activities
    
  • Other relevant programme management duties as directed by Programme Leader
    
    1. Contribute to student recruitment activity particularly but not exclusively for the Horticulture and Landscape programme.
       
    • Attendance at, and contribution to, the planning and running of open days, applicant days, taster days, and other careers events and marketing initiatives particularly, but not exclusively, related to the Horticulture and Landscape programme
      
      1. Industry Liaison & Collaboration
         
      • Establish and maintain links with industry
        
      • Participation in organisation and running of technical events
        

        Minimum qualifications and experience:

        • SCQF Level 10 BSc (Hons) in Horticulture or related biological science subject with demonstratable industry experience.
          
        • Experience of working in Horticulture including commercial production, landscape design, amenity Horticulture and/or garden and greenspace maintenance
          
        • An applied understanding of plant anatomy, physiology, and morphology
          
        • A knowledge and understanding of the education, training and industrial needs of the Horticultural sector.
          
        • Awareness of industry standards
          

          Further details of the requirements of the role can be found in the Job Particulars document which you must read prior to applying.

          Admin ref: ANF/RLU/034/26

          Salary and benefits?

          • Generous annual leave
            
          • Enhanced pension contributions to contributory pension scheme
            
          • Cycle to work scheme
            
          • Discounted RAC Membership
            
          • Generous family leave
            
          • We encourage Continuing Professional Development with a tailored investment in an individuals' learning and development
            

            How to Apply:

            Please complete an online application form by pressing “apply”.

            SRUC Leading the way in Agricultural and Rural Research, Education & Consultancy

            SRUC is committed to valuing Diversity, advancing Equality and respecting Human Rights throughout the organisation and encouraging applications from disabled people using the “Disability Confident Employer” symbol. SRUC is a member of the Athena SWAN charter.

            SRUC. A Charitable company limited by guarantee, SC003712. Registered in Scotland No SC103046

Proud member of the Disability Confident employer scheme

About Disability Confident

A Disability Confident employer will generally offer an interview to any applicant that declares they have a disability and meets the minimum criteria for the job as defined by the employer. It is important to note that in certain recruitment situations such as high-volume, seasonal and high-peak times, the employer may wish to limit the overall numbers of interviews offered to both disabled people and non-disabled people. For more details please go to Disability Confident.