King's College London

About us 

The fourth National Adaptation Programme (NAP4) is due to be published in 2028. To drive greater action and ambition, Defra is working across government to set adaptation objectives. Defra is looking to support teams across government to use the existing evidence base to formulate objectives to cover the 14  adaptation systems set out in CCRA4. The work includes scoping objectives; testing and revising objectives using evidence and working with delivery partners and stakeholders, and finally, developing delivery plans and indicators. 

To support this process, the Maximising UK Adaptation to Climate Change (MACC) Hub is supporting teams across government. From May 2026 to March 2027, the MACC Hub will conduct evidence gathering, synthesis, and analysis required by UK Government teams in developing robust climate adaptation objectives and provide knowledge and tools. In addition to translating and synthesising existing evidence, the MACC Hub will convene stakeholders to provide expert input to the process.

About the role 

We are seeking 2 part-time Research Assistants (RAs) to provide flexible support with evidence review and stakeholder engagement for a period of 4 months. You will work closely with the Research and Policy Manager and the wider MACC Hub team, with opportunities to be involved at the centre of adaptation policy work across UK Government.

Research areas could include, but are not limited to:

•       Evidence-based decision making; the science-policy interface and decision-support processes

•       Climate change impacts, adaptation, and vulnerability analysis

•       Economic data review on adaptation actions

The post holder will report to Suzannah Sherman who is leading the work for the MACC Hub and will be able to work as part of King’s hybrid working model (Strand Campus).

This is a part time post (20 hours per week), and you will be offered a fixed term contract for 4 months.

About you

To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience: 

Essential criteria 

1. MSc degree, or current PhD candidate in, climate change, environment, evidence-based decision-making, risk analysis, disasters and resilience, or related interdisciplinary fields
2. Proven experience of conducting literature reviews and case-study analyses
3. Ability to create clear, informative, and visually engaging materials for research or stakeholder engagement
4. Strong administrative abilities and organisational skills
5. Excellent oral and written communication skills
6. Evident interest in climate change adaptation and/or the science–policy interface
7. Experience designing or supporting expert workshops, roundtables and/or professional events

Desirable criteria

1. Experience working proactively as part of a research group or collaborative project
2. An understanding of the policy environment in which the work is situated

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.