Job description

The Department of War Studies seeks to recruit a Lecturer in War Studies/International Security.  The successful applicant will undertake high-quality research and support the BA and MA programmes in the Department. 

We welcome applications from a broad range of expertise within War and International Security Studies. As climate and energy security is an increasingly important focus of our research and education, we particularly welcome applications in this area. The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to modules already in existence but also develop a new module in line with King’s College’s new initiative on Climate Change and Sustainability. All candidates, regardless of their expertise, must demonstrate a commitment to contributing to the interdisciplinary study of all aspects of war including its history, theory and practice, impact and causes.   

The successful candidate will support the planning, organisation and delivery of our MA and BA programmes, and, with departmental mentorship, eventually assume leadership responsibilities. The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to existing core modules as well as collaborating on the design and development of new modules in line with their research expertise and in support of our interdisciplinary teaching portfolio.  They will understand and develop a variety of methods to assess students’ learning and provide feedback, and, with institutional support, they will assist in developing a blended learning and digital innovation strategy in the delivery of our programmes.  

Beyond teaching and administrative duties, the successful candidate, upon completion of their probation, will be expected to supervise PhD students. They will commit to undertake high-quality research in their subject area, and publish in recognised journals, with research mentorship offered in support of this activity.  The role-holder will further maintain research activities and connections through a portfolio of individual and/or joint research projects and will work to secure external funding as required.  

The Department of War Studies is located within the School of Security Studies and the Faculty of Social Science & Public Policy. Together, we support an inclusive culture and diversity for our staff and students. We are committed to encourage further growth from a diversity of groups, and we look forward to welcoming applicants of all abilities, who we are able to support with our flexible, varied working practices.  

This post will be offered on a full-time, indefinite contract.

Key responsibilities

• Undertake high-quality research within the field of War Studies/International Security, ideally but not necessarily with a focus on climate and energy security, publish the findings in highly-rated internationally recognised journals, and participate in major internationally recognised academic networks 
• Sustain high-quality research activity through a portfolio of individual and/or joint research projects and secure the funding required for this research as required 
• Supervise postgraduate research students and/or research staff 
• Attend meetings and conferences to share and present research findings, which creates a professional network and enhances the national and international standing of the Department 
• Take responsibility for the planning, organisation and delivery of both undergraduate and postgraduate teaching activities within the Department 
• Develop and use a variety of methods to assess student learning and provide feedback that is timely, relevant and appropriate 
• Undertake any other reasonable duties that may be requested by the Head of Department 
• Carry out administration as requested by the Head of Department 

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.

Skills, knowledge, and experience 

Essential criteria

1.       PhD awarded on a relevant topic within War Studies, or Politics or History or International Relations or other, related discipline 

2.       Emerging track record in research dissemination and a research agenda 

3.       Ability to work independently and as part of a team 

4.       Experience of teaching undergraduate and postgraduate students 

5.       Experience of innovative curriculum and teaching design 

6.       Willingness to contribute to diversity and inclusion efforts within the department 

7.       Advanced communication skills, both oral and written 

Desirable criteria

1.       Research and teaching focus on climate and energy security 

2.       Commitment to developing distance or blended learning environments 

3.       Experience of successful grant capture 

4.       Experience of interacting with a wide variety of non-academic stakeholders  

5.       Experience in supervising PhD students 

6.       Track record in research group leadership and related activities