"Postdoctoral Research Associate - Relational Harm Project - Gender and IR"

Job ID: 114487

Salary: £44,355 - £51,735 per annum, including London Weighting Allowance

Posted: 07 May 2025

Closing Date: 15 June 2025

Business Unit: Social Science & Public Policy

Department: Department of War Studies

Contact Details: Rebekka Friedman, Rebekka.friedman@kcl.ac.uk

Location: Strand Campus

Category: Research

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About Us

The School of Security Studies at King’s College London is committed to understanding security issues in a rapidly changing and complex global environment. With expertise from the War Studies and Defence Studies Departments, along with the King’s Institute for Applied Security Studies, we are one of the largest interdisciplinary communities of scholars researching and teaching conflict, war, security, and defence.

About the Project

The Relational Harm project examines the concept of relational harm, focusing on the targeting and control of intimate relationships, particularly the forced separation of families during war and counterinsurgency. This project investigates the psychological, political, economic, and social legacies of relational harm, including the phenomenon of ambiguous loss.

With a specific focus on Sri Lanka, Peru, and the Rohingya community in Bangladesh, the research will use mixed methods, including archival research from World War II and the International Committee of the Red Cross. It will also explore the gendered and intergenerational dimensions of forced separation in conflict zones.

About the Role

We are seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate (PDRA) in Gender and International Relations (IR) to contribute to the ERC-funded Consolidator Grant project, Relational Harm: Targeting the Family in War and Oppression. The PDRA will work closely with Dr. Rebekka Friedman and other researchers to examine the gendered aspects of forced separation and its long-term impact on families and communities.

This position involves:

• Conducting field research in one of the project’s contemporary case studies
• Utilizing qualitative research methods to gather data
• Analyzing and publishing research outputs in peer-reviewed journals or edited collections
• Engaging in archival research, particularly in the archives of the International Committee of the Red Cross or the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
• Working as part of a research team, including the PI, other PDRAs, partner NGOs, and a legal consultant
• Contributing to the project’s online content, events, and administration
• Engaging in trauma-informed research and adhering to ethical safeguarding standards

This is a 30-month position starting in January 2026. The successful candidate will benefit from career development opportunities and mentorship.

About You

To be successful in this role, you should meet the following criteria:

Essential Criteria:

• PhD in Gender Studies, Feminist Studies, International Relations (IR), or a related field, with a gender focus
• Experience in qualitative research methods
• Research experience and knowledge of South Asia or South America, with an understanding of the historical, cultural, and socio-political context of these regions
• Proven ability to write and present conference papers and publish peer-reviewed articles
• Field research experience
• Knowledge of research ethics, especially in trauma-sensitive research
• Excellent attention to detail, interpersonal, and communication skills
• Strong time management and organizational skills

Desirable Criteria:

• Language skills in Tamil, Spanish, or Rohingya
• Experience with website management
• Archival research experience
• Knowledge of additional research methods, such as documentary analysis, ethnographic research, participatory and arts-based methods, discourse analysis, and institutional analysis
• Familiarity with data protection procedures

How to Apply

To apply, please submit the following documents:

1. CV
2. Supporting Statement addressing how you meet the essential criteria listed in the advert
3. If relevant, your evidence for the desirable criteria

In your supporting statement, please indicate which case study (Sri Lanka, Peru, or Rohingya community) you would be best qualified to oversee, based on regional or thematic experience.

Applicants who have submitted their PhD but are awaiting award will be considered as Research Assistants (Grade 5) until the PhD is awarded, at which point the role will transition to Research Associate (Grade 6).

Further Information

• Interviews are scheduled for July 2025.
• Visa sponsorship is available for overseas candidates who meet the criteria.

King’s College London embraces diversity and strives to build an inclusive, supportive environment for all. We encourage applicants from all backgrounds and are committed to ensuring that everyone feels they belong and are valued.

To learn more about our recruitment process, please visit our How We Recruit page.