King's College London

About us 

The Department of Geography is a vibrant community of students, teachers and researchers. Our holistic approach encompasses both human and physical geography perspectives on global challenges and pressing environmental, geopolitical, urban and rural issues. Our research findings contribute to public debates and policy development at national and international scales, making important contributions to 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. Meanwhile, using London as a laboratory, our students and staff study migration, transport, housing, displacement, air and water quality, and health impacts on Londoners

About the role 

The Lecturer in Geopolitics will contribute to undergraduate and postgraduate teaching – particularly for the MA in Geopolitics, Resources and Territory, and the BA Geography and the delivery of Methods teaching – including in-person and online lecturing, fieldtrips, supervision, tutorials, marking and academic and pastoral support of students. They will also be expected to undertake individual and collaborative research, contributing to one of the research groups within the Department (e.g. Geopolitics and Contested Development).

Candidates should hold a PhD in geography or a cognate discipline and should have a developing research profile in Geopolitics (including related subfields such as security studies). We particularly welcome applicants that foster critical approaches to territorial issues, security, political geography, conflict, energy and resource questions, international governance, urban geopolitics, and social justice (with connotations of race and gender). Methodologically this role would suit applicants working across ethnography, media and policy discourse, and the candidate will contribute to methods teaching. We particularly welcome candidates with a track record of obtaining research funding and/or impacting policymaking, or those whose work has wider societal benefits. They will contribute to the intellectual and social environment of the Geography Department by taking on administrative roles as necessary in a collegiate manner. Experience or familiarity with the academic environment in the UK is an advantage.

The Lectureship is a fixed term position with a 3-year probation period and 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.

This is a full time (35 hours per week), and you will be offered a fixed term contract until September 2029**.**

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 Geopolitics and Human Geography and make contributions to allied teaching in War Studies.
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 supervising student research projects, including providing guidance on relevant research methods and excellent feedback on assessment.
5. Demonstrated ability, through peer reviewed publications or other appropriate modes of dissemination, to make contributions to knowledge in the field of Geopolitics.
6. Ability to contribute to the Department’s research profile in the field of Geopolitics, including experience of obtaining research grants.
7. Demonstrable interest in research impact and/or public engagement.
8. Demonstrable potential to be a valuable 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 Higher 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 or 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.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is evolving rapidly, and we recognise its growing role in professional work. Applicants may use AI tools to support preparation of their application, for example to research the role or structure written responses. However, applications must reflect the applicant’s own work and experience. AI tools should not be used during interviews or assessment activities unless this has been agreed in advance as a reasonable adjustment. Further guidance on the use of AI in recruitment can be found here.

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 on mid July.