King's College London

About us 

The Department of Geography is a vibrant community of students, teachers and researchers. Our holistic approach encompasses both physical geography, environmental science, and human geography perspectives on global challenges and pressing environmental, social, urban and rural issues. Our research findings contribute to public debates and policy development at national and international scales, making important contributions to environmental protection, climate change, disasters, smart cities, risk regulation, water, human migration and wildfire hazards. We are also deeply committed to tackling pressing matters of social justice around the world. We undertake field research in over 95 countries across seven continents. Our John B Thornes laboratory supports teaching and research for a range of activities including water chemistry, sedimentology, geomorphology, hazards and fluid dynamics. Meanwhile, using London as a laboratory, our students and staff study air and water quality, migration, transport, housing, displacement, and health impacts on Londoners. 

About the role 

The Lecturer in Urban Pollution will advance the understanding of pollution processes with a focus on urban environments through high‑quality teaching, research, and engagement. The successful candidate will specialise in physical geography and environmental science, leading innovative laboratory and field-based investigations into air, water, soil, and sediment pollution across diverse urban settings. They will develop an active research portfolio aligned with departmental strengths, securing external funding and producing outputs that inform policy, planning, and environmental management. The lecturer will design and deliver modules at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, incorporating practical fieldwork, analytical skills, and research-led learning. They will supervise student research projects and foster partnerships within King’s, across London, and with external stakeholders. The role also involves supporting departmental citizenship, promoting an inclusive and collaborative academic culture, and enhancing King’s global reputation in Physical Geography and Environmental Science.

Candidates should hold a PhD in Environmental Science, Geography or a cognate discipline and should have a developing research profile linked to the study of urban pollution. We particularly welcome applicants that utilize a range of field and laboratory approaches and are proficient with advanced environmental data analysis. We welcome candidates with a track record of obtaining research funding and experience working with a wider range of stakeholder including environmental practitioners. Experience or familiarity with the academic environment in the UK is an advantage.  

The Lectureship is a permanent position with a 3-year probation period with an anticipated start date of September 2026. 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.

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 Geography or a cognate discipline (viva must be passed before September start date)
2. The ability to design and deliver lectures, practicals, seminars and tutorials in the field of Physical Geography and Environmental Science more widely
3. Experience of teaching relevant subjects at undergraduate and postgraduate level, with evidence of innovative and effective teaching and ability to engage and inspire students of diverse and international backgrounds
4. Experience of working on relevant research projects, including expertise in relevant research methods
5. Demonstrated ability, through peer reviewed publications, to make contributions to knowledge in the field of Physical Geography, Environmental Science, and Pollution science
6. Ability to contribute to the Department’s research profile, including experience of obtaining research grants
7. Demonstrable interest in research impact and/or public engagement
8. Demonstrable 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

Desirable criteria

1. Completion of appropriate training in education teaching and learning/academic practice
2. Completion of appropriate training in equal opportunities, diversity, and inclusion
3. Experience of academic administrative roles (e.g. as programme lead) and/or leadership in the wider discipline (e.g. in professional associations, advisory boards, journals)
4. Experience of providing academic advice and pastoral support to students, and a commitment to supporting student welfare and enhancing the student experience
5. Familiarity with the UK education system

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, 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 23:59 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 mid to late May.