About our Chemistry Department
The Department of Chemistry at King’s College London is undergoing a major expansion following investment in chemistry by
King’s Inspired Science and our outstanding results in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework. We are seeking
five new academics to develop forward-looking research programmes using inventive chemistry across discipline boundaries.
This is an exciting time to join us in a unique opportunity to shape the future of Chemistry at one of the most prestigious Universities in the UK. Our vision is to firmly establish a contemporary department, which realises the transformative power of Chemistry in interdisciplinary research. A key part of King’s Chemistry ethos is equality, with a dynamic and fulfilling research culture for all, and an emphasis on tackling the under-representation of women in science and active involvement in the University’s commitment to the Race Equality Charter.
Current research in the department fuses chemistry, physics, and biology with a distinctive focus on the chemistry of life. We believe that a cohesive approach spanning chemistry and biology will drive the engineering of molecules, materials, and measurement tools to help understand health and treat disease. We aim to further strengthen our portfolio in the chemistry of life and simultaneously build new critical mass for chemistry-driven solutions for sustainability and smart devices. New opportunities in these areas will further arise from interactions with the
Centre for the Physical Science of Life and
Net Zero Centre at King’s. Located in central London, King’s benefits from advances in Science, Technology and Enterprise across the capital, including our partnership with the Francis Crick Institute.
Opportunities Available
We seek to appoint five positions
at professor, reader (≈ associate professor) and lecturer (≈ assistant professor) level. We encourage applications from candidates who develop innovative chemistry-driven programmes across disciplines. We are particularly excited about the following areas but also
welcome applications across Chemistry that are imaginative and that involve experimental or computational methods:
- Bioelectricity [Chemical approaches to understand electron transport processes in biology or their application to construct wearable and biodegradable electronics, and broader net zero goal applications]
- (Bio)sensors/devices [Chemical approaches to understand, design or build sensors/devices]
- Soft materials [With a focus on applications in life sciences and medicine or sustainability]
- Chemistry of living systems [chemical approaches to engineer complex biological systems (such as cells, tissues, organoids, model organisms and microbial communities) or elucidate molecular mechanisms that underpin their interaction]
- Bioinorganic chemistry [Chemistry-driven approaches to understanding the roles of metals in biology]
- Atmospheric chemistry & photochemistry [chemical approaches to understand the origin of life and life sustainability in our planet and beyond]
- Computational chemistry [With a focus on integrated experimental and modelling approaches to address complex systems]
- Modern synthetic chemistry [Electrochemistry, photochemistry, flow chemistry, biocatalysis]
- Next generation spectroscopies [To generate new insights into molecular structure and dynamics]
The successful candidates will also contribute to the design and delivery of modern teaching programmes and practices.
Salaries Available
Lecturer: Grade 7: £48,737 - £57,353 per annum, including London Weighting
Reader: Reader Scale 1 – 8: £ 56,592 - 69,572 per annum, including London Weighting
Professor: Professorial Scale: £86,169 - £89,925 per annum, including London Weighting (
Subject to candidate experience negotiations available)
Key responsibilities
Key responsibilities of the role are to deliver research excellence and high-quality education, helping to shape the future of the department and embedding a supportive, collegiate culture. There are many opportunities to participate and lead aspects of department strategy, as well as to gain experience and mentorship to flourish.
The role holders will provide expertise in their chemistry specialism, securing funding to develop a highly respected international research programme, as well as developing productive collaborative links in academia or industry. They will nurture the talent of students and postdoctoral staff to ensure their effective development.
Guided by the department safety committee and practices, they will be responsible for health and safety in own area.
The role holders will enhance the education and experiences of our undergraduate students, teaching appealing, up-to-date courses and contributing to the development of our curricula and teaching methods. They hold/will obtain a professional qualification for university teaching.
Skills and experience required
Essential Criteria
- PhD (or equivalent) level in Chemistry or related subject
Research
- Internationally recognised leader in their field of research with a proven track record of excellence in development of new knowledge and innovation, evidenced by peer-reviewed publications, invited reviews in leading journals and membership in funding body panels; strong track record in obtaining funding and leading a research group to consistently deliver an innovative research programme (Professor)
- Growing recognition of research excellence in their field with a proven track record of development of new knowledge and innovation, evidenced by peer-reviewed original research publications and invited reviews in leading journals; experience in obtaining funding and leading a research group to deliver an innovative research programme (Reader)
- In-depth understanding of their research and independence to enable the development of new knowledge and innovation within the field, evidenced by peer-reviewed original research publications in leading journals; ability to obtain funding and leading a research group to deliver an innovative research programme (Lecturer)
Education
- Experience in teaching across class sizes and in leading modules or devising new and effective courses, and in supervising research students with timely completion of their theses (Professor)
- Experience in teaching across class sizes and in leading modules or devising new and effective courses, and in supervising research students with timely completion of their theses (Reader)
- Ability to lead modules and contribute as part of a team with Departmental colleagues to the design, delivery and assessment of a modern Chemistry curriculum (Lecturer)
Leadership
- Ability to provide academic leadership of Chemistry across King’s and in the strategic development of cutting-edge future directions in the University with a track record of leadership at their host institutions. (Professor)
- Ability to provide academic leadership in the strategic development of cutting-edge future directions in the department (Reader)
- Ability to actively encourage the development and contribution of diverse perspectives and approaches, enhancing the student experience and creativity in research. (Lecturer)
Communication
- Effective communication skills, to engage audiences, convey conceptual and complex ideas and information, and articulate a research vision (All Roles)
- Strong track record in presenting research in international conferences, seminars and generalist and subject-specific scientific journals, demonstrating impact to the field and beyond (Professor)
- Experience in presenting research in seminars and generalist and subject-specific scientific journals, demonstrating impact to the field and beyond (Reader)
- Experience in presenting research in seminars and scientific journals, demonstrating impact to the field (Lecturer)
Desirable Criteria
- Ability to work co-operatively as part of a team to develop a modern chemistry curriculum and teach at all levels as well as with an interdisciplinary perspective (All Roles)
- Experience with securing or running a doctoral training centre or equivalent (Professor)
- Adept at leading and developing talents of others to work across discipline boundaries and work together on fruitful multi-PI grants and research projects (Reader)
- Adept at working across discipline boundaries and work together on collaborative research projects (Lecturer)
- Proven ability to win competitive grant or Fellowship funding (Lecturer)
How to Apply:
We are asking all candidates to complete the online application form, and provide us with an uploaded copy of the following documents:
- Cover letter [1 page], highlighting key contributions to science, future plans if appointed at King’s and specify whether you are applying for a role as a professor, reader (equivalent to associate professor) or lecturer (equivalent to assistant professor)
- Academic CV [2 pages]. In your CV please summarise your 3-5 most important publications and specify your contribution if these publications were collaborative
- Full list of publications
- A maximum or 4 pages statement to include the following:
- Research statement. Please highlight your vision, what you consider to be your best research so far and let us know your plans to attain funding.
- Teaching statement including how you would engage students and what you think the modern chemistry course should deliver to students.
- Research culture statement, reflecting your views, and any experience, in promoting a climate that values diversity and inclusion, how you will work constructively with colleagues, and how you intend to establish and nurture a group.
Recruitment Process
We will shortlist, interview and appoint candidates on a regular basis. Our first deadline for applications will be 1st December 2022.
The shortlisting process will involve presenting a talk about your research and teaching.
