"Lecturers in Defence Studies"

The Department of Defence Studies seeks to recruit four Lecturers in Defence Studies on an Education & Research contract. We welcome applications from a broad range of expertise within the field of Security Studies. Any specific research focus may be considered, but preference will be given to candidates with subject matter expertise in the following areas: disruptive technology and AI; Russian strategy and doctrine; military operations and wargaming; nuclear strategy; applied military ethics.

The successful applicant will be based in the Defence Studies Department at the Defence Academy of the United Kingdom in Shrivenham and will undertake high-quality research and support a range of professional military and security education courses at the postgraduate level. They will have a track-record of high-quality research and a commitment to undertake high-quality research in their subject area, publishing in recognised journals, with research mentorship offered in support of this activity. The post-holder will further maintain research activities and connections through a portfolio of individual and/or joint research projects and will work to secure external funding.

At the Defence Academy, successful candidates will teach and supervise students who are serving officers and civil servants in the UK and allied armed forces and partners. There are also opportunities to contribute to the School of Security Studies highly successful open online programmes, International Affairs and Global Security. Successful candidates will support the planning, organisation and delivery of the Defence Studies Department, and, with departmental mentorship, eventually assume leadership and administrative responsibilities. Beyond teaching and administrative duties, the successful candidate, upon completion of their probation, will be expected to supervise PhD students and will also play a role in the institutional and intellectual life of the Department and undertake Departmental, School, Faculty and University administrative duties as required.

Appointments will be made on Education & Research contracts, focused on the delivery of high-quality education and research. This post will be full time and offered on an indefinite contract. Candidates should note that this post is located in a military establishment and the position is subject to obtaining and maintaining a satisfactory security clearance to work at the Defence Academy of the UK.

Key Responsibilities:

• Undertake high-quality, impactful research within the field of Defence Studies, broadly defined, publish the findings in highly-rated internationally recognised journals, and participate in major internationally recognised academic networks.
• Participate in the delivery of teaching activities within the department in accordance with established departmental practice and a commitment to continuous improvement.
• Contribute to the development of appropriate programmes, modules and lectures in accordance with academic and military learning objectives.
• Participate fully in assessment and examination processes as appropriate using a variety of methods and techniques and provide effective, timely and appropriate feedback to students to support their learning and student success.
• Engage in professional development.
• Sustain high-quality research activity through a portfolio of individual and/or joint research projects and to secure funding required for this research.
• Accept academic responsibility within the Department, School, Faculty and wider university involving leadership and administrative responsibilities where appropriate.
• Undertake any other reasonable duties that may be requested by the Head of Department.

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, Security Studies, Strategic Studies, Politics, History, International Relations or other, related disciplines.
2. Track record of research publications, dissemination and grant funding.
3. Ability to teach across the field of Defence and Security Studies.
4. Demonstrated commitment to student success, engaging the student body and enhancing the student experience.
5. Appropriate teaching qualification or equivalent and experience of innovation in teaching and curriculum design.
6. Excellent oral and written communications skills and good administrative skills.
7. Commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.
8. For an appointment at Grade 7, candidates must have a PhD thesis published or in press as a monograph AND at least 2 papers published/in press in peer-reviewed journals; OR at least 5 research papers published/in press in high-quality peer reviewed journals. For an appointment at Grade 7, candidates must also show proven ability in and experience of research leadership.

Desirable criteria

1. Engagement in professional organisations and networks and research leadership (conference papers, workshops, memberships, journal editing).
2. Experience in the delivery of professional military education and executive education.
3. Existing links with military and defence related academic and policy networks.
4. Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) or on-track to receive fellowship in the next 1-2 years.
5. A track record of effective performance of administrative duties.

Grade and Salary: £39,906 - £58,225 per annum. Job ID: 122045. Close Date: 08-Sep-2025. Contact Person: Kate Utting. Contact Details: kate.utting@kcl.ac.uk.

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.