Job Profile: Mycologist

a bearded person in a wide brimmed hat with rocky hills in the background — (Chris Knowles)

Name: Chris Knowles

Location: Based in Scotland, but work UK wide

Employer: Self Employed

Job Responsibilities:

Accurate species identification
The planning and delivery of surveys and monitoring for fungi.
Writing detailed reports based on the results of fieldwork, which include useful guidance and management advice for fungal conservation.
Teaching amateurs and professionals how to identify fungi in the field as well as by using microscopy and DNA sequencing.

a red and white Fly agaric toadstool in woodland — Fly agaric *Amanita muscaria* (Chris Knowles)

Time spent on different elements of the job are roughly 50/50 field surveys and reporting and 75% of all work occurs between mid August till the end of October.

Qualifications needed:

No qualifications needed, but experience of fungus Identification is important as well as a good understanding of general ecology and habitat management.

Skills needed: Methodical approach, thoroughness, good communication skills, microscopy useful.

Advice to anyone looking at similar roles:

Go out with local fungus groups for fungi ID skills. Studying or working in Ecology will give you the background knowledge needed to make sense of what survey results tell you.

If you have any queries about this role or would like to ask a question of the job holder please contact Chris on Chris@wildstuff.email