King's College London

About us

King’s Music Department, situated in the heart of London, is known worldwide for its innovative research across the sub-disciplines of music studies, and as a centre for internationally acclaimed composition. In the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF2021), the Department (in a joint submission with Film Studies) was ranked 4th in the UK, with 100 per cent of research impact and research environment rated ‘world-leading’ (4*) or ‘Internationally excellent’ (3*).

We have a relatively small, selective intake of undergraduates, and one of the largest postgraduate communities in the country. We welcome students from all over the world, and teach them to engage in innovative and interdisciplinary approaches to understanding music and its experience. The Department hosts highly acclaimed lectures, conferences, seminars, workshops, performances, and colloquia open to the public, and has long-standing connections with many of London’s cultural institutions.

About the role

The Department of Music seeks to appoint a Lecturer in Music History (Education & Research, Grade 6) specialising in historically European music (anywhere in the world) in the long eighteenth century. We invite applicants with a broad range of research interests in this field; teaching expertise must include the ability to teach common-practice-period music theory at lower undergraduate level.

The successful applicant will hold a PhD in music or a related humanities discipline; have a clear track record appropriate to their career stage as an emerging global research leader; and be a highly effective educator capable of delivering innovative, inclusive, diverse, and socially-engaged teaching. The post holder will also be required to take on Departmental administrative roles appropriate to their career stage. Applicants whose research interests are in key areas of global concern or at the cutting edge of their discipline/s are particularly encouraged to apply, including (but not restricted to) environmental humanities, migration and mobility, history of emotions and/or senses, empire and colonialism, medical humanities, material culture, synergies with other arts, etc.

This is a full-time, indefinite contract beginning as soon as possible but no later than 1 August 2026.

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 music or a related humanities discipline
2. Excellent knowledge and understanding of historically European music in the long eighteenth century.
3. Clearly defined research interests and plans compatible with the research strategies of the Department, Faculty and College, including establishing a track record appropriate to Grade level of high-quality publications, grant income (or applications), and research impact.
4. Experience of teaching music humanities modules and supervising dissertations at undergraduate and preferably postgraduate, level, including the ability to teach entry-level common practice period music theory, evidence of innovative and effective teaching, and the ability to engage and inspire students of diverse and international backgrounds.
5. Evidence of commitment to student welfare, including providing academic advice, assessment feedback, and pastoral support (e.g. as personal tutor).
6. The ability to manage communications and coordination smoothly with others, and to meet deadlines effectively and efficiently.

Desirable criteria

1. A teaching qualification, e.g. Fellowship of the HEA or equivalent, or work towards it
2. Experience of curriculum development
3. Evidence of administrative experience

Downloading a copy of our Job Description

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 page. This document will provide information of what criteria will be assessed at each stage of the recruitment process.

Further information

At King’s, we believe that the diversity of our community and a culture that is welcoming, open, inclusive and collaborative, are great strengths of the university.

The Equality Act of 2010 protects the rights of our students and staff and provides a framework to fulfil our duties to eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and in addition, to advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations between those who share a protected characteristic and those who do not. At times, this will include balancing rights and beliefs that can feel in tension.

We are committed to free speech and to academic freedom, believing that our foundational purpose as a university, is to create spaces where a wide range of ideas, including ideas that are controversial, can be discussed and debated, and where members of our community can express lawful views without fear of intimidation, harassment or discrimination.

When engaging in the robust exchange of ideas, we ask that our community is mindful of our Dignity at King’s guidance.

We ask all candidates to submit a copy of their CV, and a supporting statement (no longer than two A4 sides), detailing how they meet the essential criteria listed in the person specification section of the job description. 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. 

We reserve the right to close adverts early due to the volume of applications we receive. While the closing date may change, all adverts will close at 23:59GMT to allow sufficient time for applications to be submitted on that day.

We encourage you to apply at the earliest opportunity to avoid disappointment as once we have closed a vacancy you will be unable to submit your application.

To find out how our managers will review your application, please take a look at our How we Recruit pages.

Interviews are due to be held on 2nd April 2026.