King's College London

THIS VACANCY IS OPEN TO INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY

About us:

The Freeman Air and Space Institute (FASI) is an inter-disciplinary initiative based within the School of Security Studies, King’s College London.

Dedicated to generating original knowledge and understanding of air and space issues, FASI seeks to inform scholarly, policy and doctrinal debates in a rapidly evolving strategic environment characterised by transformative technological change which is increasing the complexity of the air and space domains.

FASI places a priority on identifying, developing and cultivating air and space thinkers in academia and industry, as well as informing and equipping air and space education provision at King’s and beyond.

FASI was established in 2020 thanks to funding from the Royal Air Force (RAF) through the Defence Science and Technology Laboratory (DSTL).

About the role:

The successful candidate will join the growing Freeman Air and Space Institute team during an exciting period in its development.

The post holder will be responsible for supporting the production of original research and analysis of current and emerging air power issues.

Examples of relevant subject matter include: air power strategy, doctrine and operations; integrated air and missile defence; future combat air power; artificial intelligence and air operations; coercion and deterrence as it relates to the air domain; and the public-private dimensions of air policy and procurement.

The successful candidate will also be expected to work closely with the wider team to support FASI’s growing portfolio of activities.

Key responsibilities:

• Undertake basic research, including preparing, setting up, conducting and recording the outcome of own research on contemporary/future air and defence policy and security issues, as agreed with the FASI Co-Directors.
• Write up results of own research and contribute to the production of research reports and publications in air and space power.
• Present information on research progress and outcomes to bodies supervising research e.g. steering groups, the funder and peers.
• Support the FASI lead for publications in peer reviewing air power-related papers.
• Contribute to providing a range of opportunities for education in air and space power, including in the field of postgraduate research and in professional education.
• Forge internal and external contacts to develop knowledge and understanding and form relationships for future collaboration and to maximise synergies within the study and analysis of air power.
• Contribute to the knowledge transfer and capacity building activities of FASI as directed by the Institute’s leadership.
• Deal with problems which may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines.
• Contribute to decisions affecting the work of the team.
• Analyse and interpret the results of own research and generate original ideas based on outcomes.
• Contribute to the planning of research projects.
• Attend and, as appropriate, present research finding and papers at internal meetings and external professional events and conferences.
• Provide guidance as required to support staff and any students who may be assisting with the airpower research.
• Work as a conscientious and committed member of the team to achieve the aims of the Institute.
• Plan own day-to-day research activity within the framework of the agreed programme.
• Possess sufficient breadth or depth of specialist knowledge in the discipline of air power and be developing further skills in and knowledge of research methods and techniques.
• The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.

This is a full time role and will be offered as a fixed term contract until April 2026

Research staff at King’s are entitled to at least 10 days per year (pro-rata) for professional development. This entitlement, from the Concordat to Support the Career Development of Researchers , applies to Postdocs, Research Assistants, Research and Teaching Technicians, Teaching Fellows and AEP equivalent up to and including grade 7. Visit the  Centre for Research Staff Development for more information.

About you:

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

Essential criteria

1. Minimum Degree level education.
2. Knowledge of air power and associated relevant subject matters, which may include, but not necessarily confined to: air strategy, doctrine and operations; future combat air power; artificial intelligence and air operations; coercion/deterrence as it relates to the air domain; ethics in the use of air power and the public-private dimensions of air policy and procurement.
3. Experience in supporting the research of air and space power or a related contemporary non-air/space topics in the broader field of strategic studies.
4. Ability to plan own day-to-day research activity within the framework of the agreed programme
5. Excellent presentational skills.
6. Experience of making internal and external contacts to develop knowledge and understanding and form relationships for future collaboration
7. Ability to deal with, and solve problems which may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines

Desirable criteria

1. Evidence of the ability to manage administrative tasks and processes, using standard Microsoft packages including Excel.
2. Ability to analyse and interpret the results of own research and generate original ideas based on outcomes.
3. Event facilitating skills, including acting as a speaker for discussions.
4. Experience in implementing air power capacity building activity.

The selection process will include a shortlisting process and panel-based interview. Interviews will be held as soon as possible after the advert closes.

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.

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.

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 September. **