📊 Job Summary Table of Postdoctoral Research Associate

🎯 Job Description Summary

King’s College London seeks a Postdoctoral Research Associate for an innovative ERC-funded project examining relational harm and forced family separation in contexts of war and state oppression. This 30-month position offers excellent career development opportunities in the prestigious Department of War Studies.

📋 Responsibilities

The Postdoctoral Research Associate will contribute significantly to groundbreaking academic research examining how states use forced family separation as a weapon of war. Key responsibilities include conducting extensive field research across multiple international case studies, with particular focus on Sri Lanka, Peru, and Rohingya communities in Bangladesh.

Research activities encompass analyzing global judicial and non-judicial responses to forced separation, studying evolving international legal frameworks protecting family rights, and investigating family reunification practices. The Postdoctoral Research Associate will examine how international organizations like the ICRC facilitate family reunification processes.

Publication and dissemination responsibilities include writing peer-reviewed journal articles, contributing to edited academic collections, presenting research findings at international conferences, and developing online content for project websites. The role requires collaboration with the Principal Investigator Dr. Rebekka Friedman, fellow researchers, partner NGOs, and legal consultants.

Administrative duties involve attending regular team meetings, contributing to project administration, organizing academic events, and maintaining ethical research standards. The Postdoctoral Research Associate must demonstrate commitment to trauma-informed research methodologies and ethical safeguarding practices throughout all research activities.

💼 Benefits and Perks

King’s College London offers comprehensive benefits for the Postdoctoral Research Associate position, including competitive salary ranging from £44,355 to £51,735 annually with London Weighting Allowance. The university provides extensive career development opportunities through mentorship programs and professional training workshops.

Research support includes funding for conference attendance, publication costs, and fieldwork expenses across international case study locations. The Postdoctoral Research Associate gains access to world-class research facilities, comprehensive library resources, and cutting-edge academic databases.

Professional development benefits encompass skills training in advanced research methodologies, grant writing workshops, and networking opportunities within the international academic community. The position offers valuable experience working on prestigious ERC-funded research projects.

🏢 Company Overview

The School of Security Studies at King’s College London represents one of the world’s largest multidisciplinary communities dedicated to conflict, war, security, and defense research. This prestigious institution combines expertise from the War Studies and Defence Studies Departments with the King’s Institute for Applied Security Studies.

King’s College London maintains its position as a leading global university, consistently ranked among the top institutions worldwide. The Department of War Studies has established itself as a premier center for academic excellence, attracting distinguished scholars and researchers from across the globe.

The university’s commitment to interdisciplinary research creates an intellectually stimulating environment where Postdoctoral Research Associates can develop innovative approaches to complex global challenges. The institution’s London location provides unparalleled access to international organizations, policy institutes, and diplomatic communities.

🌟 Company Culture

King’s College London fosters an inclusive and collaborative academic culture that values diversity, innovation, and intellectual curiosity. The Faculty of Social Science and Public Policy actively supports diversity and inclusion initiatives for all staff and students.

The research environment encourages interdisciplinary collaboration, bringing together scholars from various fields to address complex societal challenges. Postdoctoral Research Associates benefit from supportive mentorship relationships and collaborative research partnerships.

The university’s culture emphasizes work-life balance, providing flexible working arrangements where possible and comprehensive support systems for international researchers. Regular social events, academic seminars, and networking opportunities create a vibrant intellectual community.

📈 Career Growth Opportunities

This Postdoctoral Research Associate position provides exceptional career development opportunities within one of the world’s leading academic institutions. Successful candidates gain valuable experience in managing international research projects, developing research methodologies, and building academic networks.

The role offers pathways to permanent academic positions through publications in high-impact journals, conference presentations, and collaborative research projects. Postdoctoral Research Associates receive mentorship from established academics and guidance on career progression strategies.

Professional development includes opportunities to develop grant writing skills, project management expertise, and international research collaboration experience. The position serves as an excellent stepping stone toward independent academic careers or senior research positions.

🤝 Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging

King’s College London demonstrates unwavering commitment to creating diverse, equitable, and inclusive research environments. The university actively welcomes applications from candidates of all backgrounds and promotes belonging throughout the academic community.

The institution implements comprehensive policies supporting underrepresented groups in academia and provides resources for Postdoctoral Research Associates from diverse cultural, ethnic, and socioeconomic backgrounds. Specific support systems exist for international researchers navigating UK academic culture.

Professional development programs address diversity and inclusion in research methodologies, ensuring Postdoctoral Research Associates can conduct culturally sensitive research across diverse global contexts.

⚖️ Equal Opportunity Statement

King’s College London operates as an equal opportunity employer, committed to fair recruitment practices and non-discrimination policies. The university evaluates all Postdoctoral Research Associate applications based solely on merit, qualifications, and relevant experience.

🏠 Remote Work Policy

This Postdoctoral Research Associate position requires on-site presence at King’s College London’s Strand Campus. While the role involves international fieldwork components, the primary workplace remains the London campus where collaboration with research teams occurs.

📝 Application Process

1. Prepare Application Materials: Submit comprehensive CV and detailed supporting statement addressing essential criteria
2. Case Study Selection: Indicate preferred case study regions based on relevant experience and language skills
3. Review Process: Applications undergo thorough evaluation by academic selection committee
4. Interview Stage: Successful candidates participate in interviews scheduled for July 2025

⏰ Application Deadline

Applications for this Postdoctoral Research Associate position must be submitted by 15 June 2025. Early applications are encouraged due to the competitive nature of this prestigious opportunity.

📧 How to Apply

Submit applications through the official King’s College London recruitment portal. Include comprehensive CV, detailed supporting statement, and evidence of qualifications. Contact Dr. Rebekka Friedman at rebekka.friedman@kcl.ac.uk for project-specific inquiries.

📱 Social Media Links

• King’s College London LinkedIn
• King’s College London Twitter
• King’s College London Facebook

❓ FAQs or Additional Information

Q: Is visa sponsorship available for international candidates?

A: Yes, King’s College London provides visa sponsorship for successful international Postdoctoral Research Associate candidates requiring UK work authorization.

Q: What language skills are preferred?

A: Desirable language skills include Tamil, Spanish, or Rohingya, though these are not essential requirements for Postdoctoral Research Associate applications.

Q: When does the position commence?

A: The Postdoctoral Research Associate position begins in January 2026, offering a 30-month fixed-term contract with potential for career advancement.

The Postdoctoral Research Associate opportunity at King’s College London represents an exceptional chance to contribute to groundbreaking research while developing advanced academic careers in prestigious institutional settings.

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