Job description

The Department of Geography, King’s College London invites applications for a Lectureship in Natural Hazards. The successful applicant will contribute to undergraduate and postgraduate teaching - particularly the BSc in Physical Geography and Environmental Science - including convening the Natural Hazards module and lecturing on the Topical Research Methods for Natural and Environmental Hazards module, teaching on domestic residential field trip(s), leading seminars, delivering tutorials, demonstrating field research methods, supervising dissertations, marking and academic, and pastoral support of students. They will be part of the Physical and Environmental Geography Research Group and the Risk, Hazard and Society Research Group and will have the opportunity to undertake individual and collaborative research or receive mentorship to develop previous doctoral research into new publications. Candidates should hold a PhD in Physical Geography or a closely related discipline (e.g. Environmental Science) and have an emerging research profile in Natural Hazards research. We particularly welcome applicants who are working on geo hazards, multi hazards and new research approaches to natural and environmental hazards.

The Lectureship is a fixed term one-year position with a probation period. This post will report to the Head of Department of Geography. The Lecturer will receive mentoring and support to develop their skills and experience in education, academic administration, and research.

At King’s, we are deeply committed to embedding good equality and diversity practice into all our activities so that the university is an inclusive, welcoming and inspiring place to work and study, regardless of age, disability, gender reassignment, marital status, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion, sex or sexual orientation. King’s offers inclusive benefits to staff including flexible working, Enhanced Parental Leave, funds for Parents and Carers and the potential to join community staff networks. The Department of Geography is committed to the provision of equality of opportunity and the recognition and promotion of diversity for all our students, staff and visitors. We hold  Bronze Athena SWAN certification and King’s was awarded a Race Equality Charter Bronze Mark in 2020. Our policies align with the College’s equalities policies, including efforts to build an anti-racist university as outlined in the  King’s Race Equality Action Plan 2020-2024. We are committed to encouraging further growth from diverse groups, and we welcome applications from people of all abilities and currently under-represented groups, which we are able to support with our range of flexible and inclusive benefits. We currently have an underrepresentation from women, BAME, disabilities and LGBTQ communities. As such, we particularly welcome applicants from these groups.

This post is a one-year fixed term contract (maternity cover) with an expected starting date of 1st September 2023 until 31-Aug-2024

This is a full time post.

Key responsibilities

• Development and delivery of teaching materials for modules in natural hazards.
• Teaching and supervision of undergraduate and postgraduate students: in class, and in the field as necessary
• Personal and academic tutorial delivery for all stages of undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes for in-person and online cohorts
• Departmental administrative roles as appropriate for career stage, such as supporting open days and outreach activities
• Research activities that contribute to the Department’s Physical and Environmental Geography Research Group or the Risk, Hazard and Society Research Group

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 in Physical Geography or a closely related discipline;
2. Demonstrate potential to be an outstanding educator in the Geography Department at King’s through evidence of excellence in the classroom; innovative ideas for or experience of course design and assessment; approaches to equity, diversity and inclusion in teaching & learning; the ability to engage and inspire students of diverse and international backgrounds; and a commitment to supporting student welfare and enhancing the student experience;
3. Demonstrate ability, through peer reviewed publications or other appropriate modes of dissemination, to make outstanding contributions to knowledge in your field of research and practice;
4. Articulate an innovative programme of outstanding research with the potential to advance your field of study, support beneficial societal impacts, and contribute to the wider research aims and capacity of the Physical and Environmental Geography Research Group and the Risk, Hazard and Society Research Group;
5. Demonstrate potential to be an invaluable colleague at King’s with ability to discharge administrative duties efficiently and collaborate effectively across disciplinary and/or department lines with colleagues on research, teaching and wider public engagement.

Desirable criteria

1. Completion of appropriate training in Higher Education teaching and learning/academic practice. Those without this will need to complete this while in post.
2. Completion of appropriate training in equal opportunities, diversity, and inclusion. Those without this will need to complete this while in post.
3. Experience of academic administrative roles
4. Experience of providing academic advice and pastoral support to students

Further information

Applicants should submit a CV and a cover letter which demonstrates their suitability for the position, including how they meet the essential (and desirable) criteria. Short-listed candidates will be invited to a staff presentation (virtual) followed by an online interview, which will start with a five-minute presentation (5 slides). 

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.