Research Associate in Slavery in War (Forced Migration)
Research Associate in Slavery in War (Forced Migration)

Research Associate in Slavery in War (Forced Migration)

City of London Full-Time 36000 - 60000 Β£ / year (est.) No home office possible
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At a Glance

  • Tasks: Conduct impactful research on slavery in war and forced migration.
  • Company: Join King's College London, a leader in social science research.
  • Benefits: Full-time role with opportunities for professional development and collaboration.
  • Why this job: Make a difference by tackling modern slavery and supporting survivors.
  • Qualifications: PhD in relevant field or thesis submitted; strong research and communication skills.
  • Other info: Inclusive environment with diverse perspectives and community engagement.

The predicted salary is between 36000 - 60000 Β£ per year.

About King\’s

This role is one of several new roles being recruited under the new Leverhulme Centre for Research on Slavery in War, which is based in the School of Security Studies, King\’s College London. The new Centre is structured around four interconnected research strands-(Re)conceptualising, Understanding, Forecasting and Tackling-and aims for far-reaching, historically informed insights that transform understandings of war and global responses to modern slavery in conflict settings.

About the role

The role falls under the \”Tackling\” strand, and the postholder will be based in the Department of War Studies in the Faculty of Social Science and Public Policy. This strand will critically assess interventions aimed at slavery before, during, and after conflicts, to propose new strategies for preventing slavery in war zones, responding during crises, and supporting survivors in post-conflict recovery. Key research questions include: how should interventions to reduce slavery in conflict respond on the ground and in the diplomatic sphere? How have interventions sought to address slavery in and after war? What makes interventions effective in addressing slavery in and after war? How have organisational and governance interventions evolved over time, and what has shaped these changes? How do survivors\’ perspectives shape our understanding of how we should prevent and respond to slavery in and after war? By assessing intervention approaches, evaluating implementation, effectiveness, and impacts, this Centre strand will establish how to incorporate new perspectives into intervention design and develop new tools for stakeholders working to prevent and mitigate slavery in war.

The focus of this post is on the intersections of forced migration, slavery and war. We are especially interested in candidates who bring critical perspectives and expertise in collaborative, participatory methodologies to the role.

The role-holder will work collaboratively as part of an interdisciplinary team, as well as undertaking independent research. They will use approaches, methodologies, and techniques appropriate to the research. Specific projects will be identified in line with the role-holder\’s expertise and skills, as well as Centre need, and are expected to include, at varying points in the role:

  • Planning and conducting both independent and collaborative research using recognised and innovative approaches, methodologies and techniques within the research area, integrating forced migration, conflict and slavery studies.
  • Development of co-creative, participatory research methods to conduct collaborative research
  • Development of research ethics application and ongoing reflection on and contribution to research ethics processes.
  • Writing outputs, including academic articles and outputs for broader audiences
  • Contribute to the Centre\’s Lived Experience Engagement activities and structures
  • Engaging with theoretical and definitional insights, including from other Centre strands.
  • Leading team sessions on current developments and best practices in own research area.
  • Participating in ECR cohort-wide initiatives and professional development.
  • Organising and contributing to workshops, conferences, and other engagement and dissemination activities.
  • Engaging with stakeholders and contributing to the development of strategic partnerships.

The role-holder will have the opportunity to use their initiative and creativity to identify areas for research, develop research methods and extend their research portfolio within the thematic area of slavery in war.

They will have a public-facing role and represent the team externally.

There will be opportunities to work collaboratively with people who have lived experience of slavery, trafficking, and exploitation in conflict settings.

This is a full time post (35 Hours per week), and you will be offered a fixed term contract until 31/12/2027

Essential criteria

  1. PhD in International Relations, Migration Studies or closely related subject area
  2. Significant research expertise in forced migration in relation to war, conflict, trafficking and/or slavery
  3. A track record of publication in forced migration, slavery, trafficking, war and/or conflict
  4. Strong skills in collaborative, participatory research methods
  5. Proven track record in planning and managing to completion research activity and meeting own/team research objectives and deadlines in collaboration with others.
  6. Strong oral and written communication skills, including the ability to communicate complex information with clarity.
  7. Strong organisational and project management skills and experience in the organisation of events.

Desirable criteria

  • Experience in engagement with non-academic audiences
  • Experience in working with people with lived experience of forced migration, war and/or slavery
  • Strong skills in arts-based research methods

Full details of the role and the skills and experience required, can be found in the attached job description which provided on the next page.

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.

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. 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 advert. 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 review your application, please take a look at our \’How we Recruit\’ pages.

This role meets the requirements of the Home Office and therefore we are able to offer sponsorship for candidates who require the right to work in the UK.

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Research Associate in Slavery in War (Forced Migration) employer: King's College London

At King's College London, we are dedicated to fostering an inclusive and collaborative work environment that empowers our employees to engage in meaningful research on critical global issues such as slavery in war. Our commitment to professional development is evident through opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration, public engagement, and the chance to work alongside individuals with lived experiences, all while being part of a prestigious institution located in the heart of London. Join us to contribute to transformative research that shapes policy and practice in addressing modern slavery.
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Contact Detail:

King's College London Recruiting Team

StudySmarter Expert Advice 🀫

We think this is how you could land Research Associate in Slavery in War (Forced Migration)

✨Network Like a Pro

Get out there and connect with people in your field! Attend conferences, workshops, or even local meet-ups related to forced migration and slavery in war. You never know who might have the inside scoop on job openings or can put in a good word for you.

✨Show Off Your Skills

When you get the chance to chat with potential employers, make sure to highlight your collaborative and participatory research skills. Share examples of how you've successfully worked in teams or led projects, especially those that align with the Centre's focus on tackling slavery in conflict settings.

✨Engage with the Community

Don’t just stick to academic circles; engage with non-academic audiences too! This could be through public talks, community events, or social media. It shows you're committed to making an impact and can help you stand out as a candidate who understands the broader implications of your research.

✨Apply Through Our Website

Make sure to apply directly through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets seen by the right people. Plus, it shows you’re genuinely interested in being part of our team at King’s College London.

We think you need these skills to ace Research Associate in Slavery in War (Forced Migration)

Research Expertise in Forced Migration
Collaborative Research Methods
Participatory Methodologies
Project Management
Strong Oral Communication Skills
Strong Written Communication Skills
Event Organisation
Publication Track Record
Engagement with Non-Academic Audiences
Understanding of Slavery and Conflict
Ethics in Research
Stakeholder Engagement
Interdisciplinary Collaboration
Creative Problem-Solving

Some tips for your application 🫑

Tailor Your Supporting Statement: Make sure to customise your supporting statement to highlight how your skills and experiences align with the essential criteria. We want to see how you can contribute to our mission at the Leverhulme Centre for Research on Slavery in War!

Showcase Your Research Expertise: Don’t hold back on showcasing your research expertise in forced migration, conflict, and slavery. We’re looking for candidates who can bring critical perspectives and innovative methodologies to the table, so let us know what you’ve got!

Highlight Collaborative Experience: Since this role involves working as part of an interdisciplinary team, make sure to emphasise any collaborative projects you've been involved in. We love seeing how you’ve worked with others to achieve common goals!

Keep It Clear and Concise: When writing your CV and supporting statement, clarity is key! Use straightforward language to communicate your ideas effectively. Remember, we want to understand your journey and how it fits with our work at King’s.

How to prepare for a job interview at King's College London

✨Know Your Research

Dive deep into the research themes of the Leverhulme Centre for Research on Slavery in War. Familiarise yourself with their four strands and think about how your expertise aligns with their goals. Be ready to discuss specific projects or methodologies you could bring to the table.

✨Showcase Collaborative Skills

Since this role emphasises teamwork, prepare examples that highlight your experience in collaborative research. Think about times you've worked with diverse teams or engaged with non-academic audiences, and be ready to share how those experiences shaped your approach to research.

✨Engage with Ethics

Research ethics are crucial in this field. Be prepared to discuss your understanding of ethical considerations in research, especially when working with vulnerable populations. Share any experiences you have in developing research ethics applications or reflecting on ethical practices.

✨Communicate Clearly

Strong communication skills are a must. Practice explaining complex concepts in simple terms, as you may need to engage with stakeholders or present findings to broader audiences. Consider preparing a brief summary of your research interests that you can articulate clearly during the interview.

Research Associate in Slavery in War (Forced Migration)
King's College London

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