PhD Studentship – Air Power

The purpose of this role is to support the Freeman Air and Space Institute (FASI)’s research and capacity building work in the field of air power.

The Freeman Air and Space Institute is an inter-disciplinary initiative of the School of Security Studies, King’s College London and is dedicated to generating original knowledge and understanding of air and space issues.

The Freeman Institute places a priority on identifying, developing and cultivating air and space thinkers in academic and practical contexts, as well as informing, equipping and stimulating relevant air and space education provision at King’s and beyond. The establishment of the Freeman Institute was made possible through funding from the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL).

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

Essential criteria

1. A Master's degree with high merit, and a 2:1 honours degree at the bachelor's level. 
2. UK Citizen applications only

Desirable criteria

1. It is highly desirable (but not essential) to have taken courses in this field at postgraduate level before undertaking research work in Air Power Studies .
2. Extensive practical experience in a relevant field (eg air, doctrine and operations; integrated air and missile defence; information advantage and future aerospace combat power; artificial intelligence and air/space operations) may be taken into account when evaluating an application.

The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Conduct PhD research
• Contribute to the analysis and reporting into issues pertaining to air power as a member of FASI
• Assist in dissemination of project research through written and oral means
• Contribute to FASI’s impact and output including supporting events, submitting grant applications and other activities
• Build internal and external collaborations with research colleagues and develop strong working relationships with professional support staff and external officials.
• Communicate conceptual and complex ideas to a variety of audiences using appropriate media and methods.
• Communicate complex information orally and in writing to a range of stakeholders including those who might not be familiar with the work.
• Attend and present research findings and papers at internal academic meetings and external professional conferences and to contribute to the internal and external visibility of the Institute

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the PhD candidate will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected of a PhD candidate

Application process

The application should include:

• a curriculum vitae (no more than 2 pages)
• a covering letter outlining their qualification for the studentship
• a research proposal (up to 3000 words), including: your proposed project title, research aims and objectives, outline methods statement, and anticipated timeline. The proposal should use consistent academic citation.
• a sample of recent writing
• transcripts of university qualifications
• two academic references

Please email this to georgina.1.lucas@kcl.ac.uk by the deadline.

Interviews of shortlisted candidates are due to be held end of April. 

The successful candidate will also be required to apply directly to KCL’s School of Security Studies PhD programme and satisfy its admission requirements. 

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