Research Associate in Number Theory

King's College London; Greater London; On-site; GBP 46,000 - 53,000; Full time

Job summary

King’s College London invites applications for a 36‑month full‑time Postdoctoral Research Associate to join the EPSRC project “Unifying Arithmetic Statistics” under Rachel Newton. The role focuses on arithmetic statistics, rational points, local‑global principles and related areas.

The successful candidate will contribute to the project strands, participate in team activities, seminars and host visiting researchers, with a planned start of 1 October 2027.

Qualifications

• PhD awarded in a relevant subject area with high research output.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Interest in arithmetic statistics, rational points or local-global principles.

Responsibilities

• Contribute to the organisation of study groups, conferences, team retreats and hosting visiting researchers.
• Engage in the wider project activities and collaboration within the team.

Skills

Excellent written communication skills

Excellent verbal communication skills

Interest in arithmetic statistics

Education

PhD awarded in relevant subject area

PhD near completion

Job description

About us

The number theory group at King’s currently consists of David Burns, Lassina Dembélé, Fred Diamond, Netan Dogra, Andrea Dotto, Natalie Evans, Peter Jossen, Asuka Kumon, Payman L Kassaei, Steve Lester, Rachel Newton, Owen Patashnick, Beth Romano and Igor Wigman, as well as several postdoctoral researchers and PhD students. We benefit from being part of the wider London number theory community, with the London Number Theory Seminar and associated study groups hosted by Imperial, King’s and UCL, and also take part in the biannual London–Paris Number Theory Seminar.

About the role

Applications are invited for a postdoctoral research associate to work with Rachel Newton as part of the EPSRC-funded project ‘Unifying Arithmetic Statistics’.

The project spans several topics including arithmetic statistics in a broad sense, rational points on varieties and stacks, local‑global principles and arithmetic of global fields. The postdoctoral research associate will contribute to appropriate strands of the project according to their background and interests.

The successful candidate will become part of a wider team led by Daniel Loughran (Bath, Project Lead), Alex Bartel (Glasgow, Project Co‑Lead), Rachel Newton (King’s College London, Project Co‑Lead) and Adam Morgan (Cambridge, Project Co‑Lead). The post will involve participation in (and contributions to the organisation of) team activities such as study groups, conferences, team retreats, hosting visiting researchers, etc.

This is a full‑time post (35 hours per week), and you will be offered a fixed‑term contract for 36 months.

The planned start date is 1st October 2027 but some flexibility may be possible.

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:

Essential criteria

• PhD awarded in relevant subject area or PhD in in relevant subject area near completion*
• Excellence in research and publications, commensurate with career stage
• Excellent written communication skills
• Excellent verbal communication skills
• Specialist knowledge in one of the areas of the research programme outlined above
• An interest in at least one of arithmetic statistics, rational points and local‑global principles

Desirable criteria

• Strong background in one of the following areas: arithmetic statistics, geometry/arithmetic of stacks, analytic number theory
• Experience of working independently
• Experience of working in collaboration
• Experience organising seminars/study groups or similar

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.

£45,829 to £53,462 per annum, including London Weighting Allowance