Research Associate

About us 

The School of Security Studies at King‘s College London is dedicated to the understanding of security issues in an increasingly complex and uncertain world. Harnessing the depth and breadth of expertise across the War Studies and Defence Studies Departments, and the King’s Institute for Applied Security Studies, we are one of the largest multi-disciplinary communities of scholars in the world engaged in the teaching and research of all aspects of conflict, war, security and defence. 

About the role

The Department of War Studies at King’s College London is seeking a postdoctoral researcher to assist on an Economics and Social Research Council funded project The International Relations of Tropical storms in the Caribbean. 

This is a full time post (35 Hours per week), and you will be offered a fixed term contract for 2.5 years subsequent to the agree start date. 

The research project is led by Dr Nicholas Michelsen and aims to generate new knowledge about the expert discourses, practices, and institutional processes that shape international cooperation around tropical storms, and by which they constitute international relations. The project proposes that the study of the international relations of tropical storms in the Caribbean provides a lens into ongoing changes in international order. The successful candidate is expected to have research expertise in International Relations or a closely related discipline, and to be up to date on relevant theoretical debates and approaches in the discipline. The candidate should have experience in conducting research on the international politics of Climate Change/Climate Security. Please see the attached job description for more details.

About You

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

Essential criteria 

• PhD awarded in International Relations or a related discipline.
• Expertise in theoretical debates around climate change.
• Broad knowledge of contemporary theoretical debates in IR (e.g. Global/Decolonial IR, International Political Sociology, New Materialism, Practice Turn, Post-critical).
• Some experience in qualitative research methods e.g. interviewing, and a willingness to learn how to implement Q-Methodology and field-analysis under the supervision of the PI if they do not have previous experience of these methods.
• High competence in academic writing and a promising publication record appropriate to career level.
• Experience interacting with a wide variety of academic and non-academic stakeholders and a track record in research dissemination.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
• Enthusiasm for stakeholder engagement and strong motivation to contribute to knowledge through high impact academic research.

Desirable criteria

• Expertise in undertaking research on the politics of weather and/or meteorology.

Full details of the role and the skills and experience required, can be found in the attached job description which provided on the next page.

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

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