Research Associate, Department of Political Economy

KINGS COLLEGE LONDON; United Kingdom; On-site; GBP 45,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading university in London is seeking a post-doctoral fellow to join the Centre for the Study of Governance and Society. The role involves researching the relationship between market economies and sustainability. Candidates should have a PhD in social sciences or humanities, a strong research background, and the ability to work across disciplines. This full-time position offers a fixed-term contract for one year, with a salary range of £45,031-£52,514 per annum, and includes opportunities for professional development.

Benefits

At least 10 days per year for professional development

Qualifications

• PhD or submitted thesis in relevant social science discipline.
• Broad research focus on market economies and sustainability.
• Track record of academic research with publication potential.

Responsibilities

• Work on papers and book manuscripts for the project.
• Contribute to daily life of the Centre for the Study of Governance and Society.
• Engage in interdisciplinary research across social sciences.

Skills

PhD in relevant humanities or social science discipline

Broadly conceived research focus on market economies and sustainability

Track record of published work

Experience conducting independent academic research

Integrates insights from social science/humanities with natural sciences

Administrative Skills

Experience with grant applications and research bids

Education

PhD or submitted thesis in relevant discipline

Job description

Organisation/Company KINGS COLLEGE LONDON Research Field Political sciences Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Established Researcher (R3) Country United Kingdom Application Deadline 22 Feb 2026 - 00:00 (UTC) Type of Contract Other Job Status Full-time Is the job funded through the EU Research Framework Programme? Not funded by a EU programme Is the Job related to staff position within a Research Infrastructure? No

Offer Description

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.

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

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

• 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
• 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, provided at the bottom of the page. This document will provide information of what criteria will be assessed at each stage of the recruitment process.

Please note that this is a PhD level role but candidates who have submitted their thesis and are awaiting award of their PhDs will be considered. In these circumstances the appointment will be made at Grade 5, spine point 30 with the title of Research Assistant. Upon confirmation of the award of the PhD, the job title will become Research Associate and the salary will increase to Grade 6.

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.

As part of this commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and through this appointment process, it is our aim to develop candidate pools that include applicants from all backgrounds and communities.

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 person specification section of the job description. 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 March 2026

Grade and Salary: £45,031-£52,514 per annum inclusive of London Weighting

Job ID: 132086

Close Date: 22-Feb-2026

Contact Person: Professor Mark Pennington

Contact Details: [e-mail]