Postdoctoral Research Associate on Maximising UK Adaptation to Climate Change

About us

Based centrally on the Strand Campus of King’s College London, the Department of Geography is a vibrant hub of multi-disciplinary scholarship that seeks to address the most pressing issues facing our world today. Drawing together a unique cohort of scholars, the Department includes expertise in the physical and social science dimensions of climate change, water, urban sustainability, risk and resilience and emerging economies.

About the role

We are seeking an exceptional transdisciplinary researcher to advance knowledge on implementation of vulnerability-centred and place-based adaptation in the UK. The researcher will investigate 1) removing barriers to, and building capacity for, transformational adaptation approaches; and 2) the tangible actions that government, business and organisations can take as first steps towards transformational adaptation.

This research will draw on the activities of a new UK-wide knowledge exchange and coordination Hub for adaptation to climate change, co-funded by UK Research and Innovation and the UK’s Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs (Defra). Working with the Hub Director at KCL, the researcher will engage with knowledge exchange and academic partners to support synthesis across activities in the four UK nations, establishing a theoretical framework for the Hub and drawing out key academic findings.

This is a full time post (35 Hours per week), and you will be offered a fixed term contract until 30 Apr 2027.

Part time employment may be considered.

About you

To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience: 

Essential criteria

1. PhD in social science, human geography or cognate discipline
2. Expertise in climate change vulnerability and adaptation
3. Experience managing stakeholder relationships and working in a practitioner/policy context
4. Track record in publishing scientific articles
5. Excellent written and oral communication skills, including to diverse audiences
6. Proven ability to work independently

Desirable criteria

1. Good working knowledge of the UK adaptation to climate change landscape and community
2. Expertise in transdisciplinary research methods

Full details of the role and the skills, knowledge and experience required can be found in the Job Description document, provided at the bottom of the next page after you click “Apply”. This document will provide information of what criteria will be assessed at each stage of the recruitment process.

Please note that this is a PhD level role but candidates who have submitted their thesis and are awaiting award of their PhDs will be considered. In these circumstances the appointment will be made at Grade 5, spine point 30 with the title of Research Assistant. Upon confirmation of the award of the PhD, the job title will become Research Associate and the salary will increase to Grade 6. 

Further information 

We pride ourselves on being inclusive and welcoming. We embrace diversity and want everyone to feel that they belong and are connected to others in our community. 

We are committed to working with our staff and unions on these and other issues, to continue to support our people and to develop a diverse and inclusive culture at King's.

We ask all candidates to submit a copy of their CV, and a supporting statement, detailing how they meet the essential criteria listed in the advert. If we receive a strong field of candidates, we may use the desirable criteria to choose our final shortlist, so please include your evidence against these where possible.

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