Fay Davies | NTU Overseas Internship Program 臺大國際引水人計畫

PERSONAL BIO

Fay manages the Nursery at Kew, Wakehurst, supporting the propagation and care of rare and endangered plants for conservation, display and research. Fay’s Work includes seed collecting and sowing, propagation, potting and maintaining a wide range of plants for display, research at the million seed bank and scientific projects. Along with a team of 6 other horticulturists, Fay ensures plant material is kept healthy and that plants are accurately recorded and maintained.

WORK EXPERIENCE AND AWARDS

EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND

Kew Diploma in Botanical Horticulture, Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, UK

VacancIES

Brief Introduction of the Department

【Horticulture Department】

The Horticulture Department at Kew Wakehurst maintains the botanical garden and safeguards its living plant collection to support scientific research, public education, and aesthetic inspiration. The team propagates and cultivates rare and threatened species using seeds sourced from the Millennium Seed Bank (MSB). These living collections provide vital research material for scientists and horticulturists studying plant biology, species conservation, and environmental adaptability.

Department Staff Number

5-10 people

Internship Job Description

This project will investigate pest populations within a newly established glasshouse, with the aim of understanding how pests establish and change in a new growing environment. The student will learn how to identify common horticultural pests, understand their life cycles and carry out regular monitoring using appropriate methods such as visual inspections and biological controls.

Throughout the project, the student will record the presence, number and location of different pests, while also monitoring the health and condition of the plants. The collected data will be analysed to identify any changes or increases in pest populations over the three-month period and to determine whether particular pests become established or experience a population boom.

The project will provide practical experience in pest identification, monitoring, data collection and horticultural observation, while helping to protect the glasshouse plant collections through early detection of potential pest problems. The student will conclude the project by analysing their findings and producing a short report identifying trends, potential risk periods and recommendations for future monitoring and integrated pest management within the glasshouse.

Preferred Intern Education Level

Undergraduate students
Master Students

Preferred Intern Skill Sets or Qualities

Basic understanding of plant pests and the problems they cause.
Ability to analyze datasets, identify patterns, conduct analysis, and produce high-quality reports.
Inquisitive, resourceful, and articulate, with strong communication skills.

Internship Period

From June 14 to September 5, 2027 (adjustable at the discretion of the organisation)

Others

Expected working hours per week: 36 hours
Salary/Financial Support: 教育部學海築夢 scholarship
The position is located in Wakehurst
The position is and must be subsidized by 「教育部學海築夢」 scholarship, so non-Taiwanese students are not eligible to apply.

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