King's College London

About Us

The School of Security Studies at King‘s College London is dedicated to the understanding of security issues in an increasingly complex and uncertain world. Harnessing the depth and breadth of expertise across the War Studies and Defence Studies Departments, and the King’s Institute for Applied Security Studies, we are one of the largest multi-disciplinary communities of scholars in the world engaged in the teaching and research of all aspects of conflict, war, security and defence

About the role

The Department of Defence Studies seeks to recruit four Lecturers in Defence Studies on the Academic Education pathway.

We welcome applications from a broad range of expertise within the field of Security Studies.  Successful applicants should have a PhD in a topic relevant to the broad field(s) of Security and Strategic Studies. Strong applications from candidates with PhDs in associated fields will be considered.

Any specific research focus may be considered, but preference will be given to candidates with subject matter expertise in the following areas:  Professional Military Education, Future Conflict (including AI, cyber security), International Diplomacy, International Governance, Current and Emerging Challenges to Global Security, including the Environment, China and Russia, wargaming and operational-level military history.

The successful applicants will be based in the Defence Studies Department at the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom in Shrivenham, and will support a range of professional military education courses at the postgraduate level. They will support the planning, organisation and delivery of teaching at the Defence Studies Department.  Successful applicants will teach and supervise students who are serving officers or civil servants in the UK and allied armed forces. They will also contribute to the School of Security Studies highly successful open online programmes.

Defence Studies is part of the School of Security Studies and the Faculty of Social Science & Public Policy. Together, we support an inclusive culture and diversity for our staff and students. We are committed to encourage further growth from a diversity of groups, and we look forward to welcoming applicants of all abilities.

Further information about the Department and School can be found here:

About the Defence Studies Department: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/dsd

About the School of Security Studies:  https://www.kcl.ac.uk/security-studies 

Appointments will be made on the Academic Education Pathway (AEP), focussed on the delivery of education, education-related scholarship and leadership in education.

These are four fixed-term positions for one year, in the first instance.

As this post is based within a military establishment the position is subject to obtaining and maintaining a satisfactory security clearance to work at the Defence Academy of the UK.

Key Responsibilities

•       Participate in the delivery of teaching activities within the department in accordance with established departmental practice.

•       Develop appropriate courses and lectures with reference to academic and military learning objectives.

•       Contribute fully to developing and enhancing the profile of the Department, School, and College.

•       Participate fully in assessment and examination processes as appropriate.

•       Utilise a variety of educational methods and techniques and provide effective, timely, and appropriate feedback to students to support their learning.

•       Engage in professional development as appropriate.

•       Attend and participate in appropriate research seminars/conferences within subject related areas.

•       Accept academic responsibility within the Department and School, involving administrative responsibilities where appropriate.

•       Undertake any other reasonable duties that may be requested by the Head of Department.

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 post (35 Hours per week), and you will be offered on a fixed term contract until 31 August 2025

About You

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

Essential criteria

1.     PhD awarded on a relevant topic within Defence Studies, Strategic Studies, Security Studies, Politics, History, International Relations or other, related discipline.

2.     Ability to teach across the field of Defence and Security studies.

3.     Excellent oral and written communications skills.

4.     Good administrative skills.

5.     Well organised and self-motivated, able to work independently.

6.     Willingness to collaborate with colleagues, including military colleagues.

7.     Desire to promote the subject at all levels.

8.     Commitment to equality, diversion and inclusion.

Desirable criteria

1. Appropriate teaching qualification or equivalent.

2. Ability to be innovative in teaching and curriculum design.

3. Ability to undertake course design.

4. Experience in teaching postgraduate students.

5. Experience in the delivery of military professional education.

Full details of the role and the skills and experience required, can be found in the attached job description which provided on the next page.

Further information

We pride ourselves on being inclusive and welcoming. We embrace diversity and want everyone to feel that they belong and are connected to others in our community.

We are committed to working with our staff and unions on these and other issues, to continue to support our people and to develop a diverse and inclusive culture at King's.

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 advert. 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.

This role does meet the requirements of the Home Office and therefore we are able to offer sponsorship for candidates who require the right to work in the UK.