"Research Associate"

King's College London - Department of Political Economy

Location:London Salary:£45,031 to £52,514 per annum inclusive of London Weighting Hours:Full Time Contract Type:Fixed-Term/Contract Placed On:2nd December 2025 Closes:22nd February 2026 Job Ref:132086 About us

The Department of Political Economy is a unique interdisciplinary enterprise located in the heart of London with proximity to both the world of politics and the City. Founded in 2010, it is the only dedicated Department of Political Economy in the United Kingdom. The teaching and research recognises that the disciplines of Politics, Philosophy, and Economics are inextricably linked: it is not possible to properly understand political processes without exploring the economic or value contexts in which politics operates. Similarly, sound economic analysis requires an awareness of how resource allocation is conditioned both by the values and principles of individuals and communities, and by political and legal institutions, and the way these have been understood by different traditions in social thought.

Department of Political Economy: http://www.kcl.ac.uk/sspp/departments/politicaleconomy/index.aspx

School of Politics and Economics: http://www.kcl.ac.uk/sspp/schools/politics-economics/index.aspx

Faculty of Social Science and Public Policy: http://www.kcl.ac.uk/sspp/index.aspx

About the role

The Centre for the Study of Governance and Society (CSGS) in the Department of Political Economy (DPE) is seeking a one-year post-doctoral fellow to work on the project ‘Market Economies and Green Ideals’ supported by the John Templeton Foundation. The aim of the project is to bring into contestation different models of market economies and their relationship to sustainability objectives with a particular focus on liberal, missionary and stakeholder models of market systems. We aim to recruit a post-doctoral researcher working in one of the following areas; the relationship between market economies, economic growth and sustainability; the relationship between market economies and systemic ecological risks; and the relationship between market economies, freedom and environmental justice. We welcome candidates working on any of these topics and addressing different aspects of them from disciplinary and inter-disciplinary perspectives across the social sciences and humanities. These include anthropology, economics, geography, philosophy, political economy, political science, political theory, and sociology. Where relevant we also welcome candidates, whose work integrates insights from the social and human sciences with the natural sciences. The successful candidate will be expected to work on academic papers and/or book manuscripts and contribute to the daily life of the CSGS and DPE.

This is a full-time post (35 hours per week), and you will be offered a fixed term contract for one year.

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

Essential criteria

• PhD in relevant humanities or social science discipline
• Broadly conceived research focus on market economies and sustainability
• Track record of published work or work with strong publication potential
• Experience conducting independent academic research

Desirable criteria

• Research that integrates social science/humanities perspectives with those of the natural sciences
• Ability to integrate insights from the social and human sciences with the natural sciences (where relevant)
• Administrative Skills
• Experience with grant applications and research bids

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.