King's College London

About us

The Department of Physics at King’s College London is diverse, international and friendly with a positive atmosphere of collaboration and support between research groups.

Celebrating diversity and supporting staff is important to us and we offer a range of provision including flexible working, caring support (including a Parenting and Carers Fund and the Carer’s Career Development Fund), training, and a variety of diversity and inclusion networks. Staff can apply for flexible working to help them balance the demands of their professional and personal commitments and we offer comprehensive leave policies for parental, adoption, surrogacy, dependant and shared leave. 

The department is principally located on the Strand Campus in the heart of central London.  The study of Physics at King's dates back to the foundation of the College in 1829. The Department is currently undergoing significant growth with substantial investment in new appointments, research infrastructure and laboratory space refurbishment. We offer a range of UG courses in both three-year (BSc) and 4-year (MSci) versions as well as MSc and PhD programmes.  

Further information may be found at: http://www.kcl.ac.uk/physics  

The department is located in the faculty of Natural and Mathematical Science, the University is making investment into this faculty and both student and staff numbers are growing. Our staff come from over 45 countries and 56% of our students are from outside the UK.  

About the role

The Department of Physics is seeking to appoint a Lecturer in Theoretical Particle Physics and Cosmology (TPPC) to undertake high-quality original research in areas of theoretical physics that fall within the scope of the TPPC Group in the Physics Department and to help in the delivery and development of high-quality undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. 

The research goals of the TPPC group involve devising both theories and experimental tests of beyond the standard model physics, ranging from particle physics phenomenology at colliders through particle astrophysics and cosmology to gravity. We will support the candidate to continue to develop a novel and internationally distinctive portfolio of personal research.

The successful candidate must have developed a creative, original and distinctive research vision, a high-quality publication record and should have the potential to secure external research funding.  We are looking for researchers with the qualities to build a team, who can function within a group and who possess the ability to provide high quality teaching.

We seek candidates who can demonstrate creativity, enthusiasm for group, intergroup and interdepartmental collaboration and qualities which will help maintain and enhance the culture of the Physics Department. 

Ensuring an inclusive and supportive working and learning environment is a key part of the Department of Physics' equality and diversity strategy. In 2024 the Department of Physics was awarded Juno Champion status and an Athena SWAN Silver award, in recognition of its work to embed equality of opportunity in all areas of work and ensure that all members and prospective members of staff and students are treated solely on merit, ability and potential.  We want new staff to embrace and support our efforts in this area.

This is a full-time post, and you will be offered an indefinite contract

About you

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

Essential criteria

1.       PhD and postdoctoral experience in Theoretical High Energy Physics or related discipline.

2.       To have developed a creative and distinctive research vision within the field, which complements existing research in the TPPC group and will bolster its international reputation of excellence.

3.       Ability to teach relevant subjects at undergraduate and postgraduate level in the Department and to convey conceptual and complex ideas and information.

4.       Good presentational, organisational and administrative skills, highly effective oral and written communication skills.  Potential to provide academic leadership, to function within a team and to plan and prioritise workload.

Desirable criteria

1.       Experience in teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate level

2.       Success in securing research grants

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 next page after you click “Apply Now”. This document will provide information of what criteria will be assessed at each stage of the recruitment process.

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.

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 early 2025.

We are able to offer sponsorship for candidates who do not currently possess the right to work in the UK.