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 creative practitioner/composer to the post of Lecturer in Music for Screen (Academic Education Pathway). Applicants must be able to teach composition for screen (e.g. film, TV, and/or video game music), including delivering practical training in the use of digital audio workstations, portable recording equipment, and studio recording and editing technology in our new recording and editing studio. We are seeking an outstanding candidate with a demonstrated commitment to education to take up this Academic Education Pathway (AEP) post. Alongside the requirement to teach and examine the practical elements of our BMus and MMus programmes, the ability to teach film and/or video game music as a humanities subject will be an advantage.

The successful candidate will teach modules in their areas of specialism on our BMus and MMus programmes, as well as supervise undergraduate and Masters dissertations and/or special studies in composition. Administratively, they will also be required to deliver an excellent service to students and staff as the Academic Lead for the Studio in close collaboration with the Music and Film Studies AV Technician, and be a personal tutor for a small number of undergraduate students.

While this is primarily a teaching role, the postholder will be given every opportunity to participate in the Department’s vibrant culture of composition, performance, and intellectual inquiry. The Department values excellence in scholarship fitting to the Academic Education Pathway, which prioritises educational enquiry and innovation, and pedagogic development. This post does not require the delivery of research outputs.

The successful candidate will have relevant experience of teaching and assessment, a commitment to student learning and welfare, and an aptitude for working within an interdisciplinary framework.

This is an education-focussed appointment and candidates will be expected to evidence attainment and potential in teaching and learning within an HE context. Applicants without a PhD will be expected to show equivalent industry experience.

This is a part-time in-person post (0.6 FTE, 21 hours per week), and you will be offered a fixed term contract for 18 months, beginning 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 composition for screen and/or equivalent professional industry experience, and a developing record of professional activity
2. Demonstrable ability to teach composition for screen, including practical training for students and staff in the use of digital audio workstations, portable recording equipment, and fixed studio recording and editing technology
3. Teaching experience in higher education including module design, preparation and assessment; supervision and mentoring of students; and teaching-related administration
4. Experience of working in and/or managing a recording and editing studio
5. Proven ability to work successfully with a wide range of people, and willingness to contribute to the pastoral care of students as personal tutor
6. Ability to manage communications and coordination smoothly with others, and to meet deadlines, effectively and efficiently

Desirable criteria

1. The ability to teach film and/or video game music as a humanities subject
2. A teaching qualification, e.g. Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy

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 in April 2026.