Job description

King’s College London is seeking a quantitative social or behavioural science post-doctoral researcher for their XCEPT project. The qualified applicant will hold a PhD and have extensive experience in inferential statistics in social or behavioural science research. The candidate will ideally have experience in mixed methods behavioural research. They will be expected to take the lead on inferential statistical analyses on large-scale longitudinal psychometric surveys and randomised control trial studies. Demonstrated skills in structural equation modelling, factor analysis, multiple regressions, cluster analysis, mixed effect models, multi-level models, latent class models, and other relevant analyses are required. The researcher will also be heavily involved in project management. They must be London-based or be willing to relocate to London. 

XCEPT is a FCDO funded multi-partner research project that examines issues related to conflict in fragile and conflict affected states (FCAS). KCL’s component of XCEPT is led by the International Centre for the Study of Radicalisation (ICSR).   

The project specifically studies violent and peaceful behaviour (e.g. intergroup conflict, terrorism/radicalisation, peacebuilding, reconciliation, etc.) in FCAS such as Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, South Sudan, as well as others. The project includes large-scale longitudinal psychometric surveys, randomised control trial studies of mental health and trauma interventions, and qualitative interviews across the aforementioned countries. This is a policy-oriented research project which produces written outputs such as reviews of evidence, policy briefing notes, working papers, journal articles, and commentaries/Op-eds. In addition, project members conduct broader engagement through governmental policy presentations, public conferences, podcasts, video explainers, and other media.  

This post will be offered on a full-time, fixed term contract until 31 January 2025.

Key responsibilities

• Conduct quantitative analyses on large-scale longitudinal psychometric surveys and randomised control trial studies.  
• Management of survey, qualitative, and clinical trial data collection in collaboration with partners in Iraq, South Sudan, and Lebanon   
• Data management of data collected by partners 
• Produce reviews of evidence, working papers, journal articles, policy briefs, and commentaries/Op-eds. 
• Participate in governmental briefs, blogs, video explainers, podcasts, and public speaking events.
• Supervise other researchers who are assisting on the project (e.g. PhD students, research assistants, consultants), if necessary.

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 social or behavioural sciences with focus on quantitative research. 

2.       Demonstrated skills in inferential statistics for psychometric studies. 

3.       Fluency in at least one programming language for statistical computing (e.g. R, Python, Matlab, etc.) 

4.       Experience working on interdisciplinary research projects. 

5.       Experience in providing guidance to other researchers on quantitative methods/research. 

Desirable criteria 

1.       Specialisation in violent extremism, inter-group conflict, or security studies. 

2.       Experience conducting mixed methods research. 

3.       Experience working on projects in FCAS. 

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.