Henry Purcell Professor of CompositionDepartment : MusicKing's College London is one of the world's leading universities, located in the heart of London and with a vibrant international community of over 40,000 students. The Faculty of Arts & Humanities is home to eleven departments, spanning disciplines from Philosophy, Classics, English and History to Music, Digital Humanities, Film, and Culture, Media & Creative Industries. The Department of Music offers flourishing research and teaching culture encompassing performance, composition, musicology, ethnomusicology, sound studies, jazz and popular music studies. It has strong links with leading cultural and educational institutions, including the Royal Academy of Music, and provides an intellectually ambitious environment in which students engage with innovative and interdisciplinary approaches to musical experience.
King's College London seeks a world recognised composer to hold the Henry Purcell Professorship of Composition, based in the Department of Music. This prestigious 0.5 FTE professorship provides an opportunity for an outstanding practitioner to contribute to the intellectual and creative life of the Department, through the production of compositional work and the teaching and development of the next generation of composers.
The successful candidate will be a distinguished composer with an established profile across work that engages with today's stage, screen, media, and/or digital environments. The postholder will bring an innovative and outward-looking approach to composition and contribute to King's distinctive interdisciplinary and research-enhanced environment. To view the job description and person specification, please click here.
To apply for this role, please visit the King's College London Job Opportunities page and submit the specified documentation. Enquiries may be directed to the King's Search Team at kings-search@kcl.ac.uk The application deadline is Wednesday 14 October 23.59hrs.Further InformationAt King's, we believe that the diversity of our community and a culture that is welcoming, open, inclusive and collaborative, are great strengths of the university.
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We are committed to free speech and to academic freedom, believing that our foundational purpose as a university, is to create spaces where a wide range of ideas, including ideas that are controversial, can be discussed and debated, and where members of our community can express lawful views without fear of intimidation, harassment or discrimination.
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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. Artificial intelligence (AI) is evolving rapidly, and we recognise its growing role in professional work.
Applicants may use AI tools to support preparation of their application, for example to research the role or structure written responses. However, applications must reflect the applicant's own work and experience. AI tools should not be used during interviews or assessment activities unless this has been agreed in advance as a reasonable adjustment. Further guidance on the use of AI in recruitment can be found here.
Grade and Salary : CompetitiveJob ID : 149865Post Date : 08-Oct-2026Close Date : 14-Oct-2026Contact Person : King's SearchContact Details : kings-search@kcl.ac.uk
Henry Purcell Professor of Composition in London employer: King's College London
At King’s College London, we pride ourselves on being an exceptional employer that fosters a collaborative and innovative work culture. Our commitment to employee growth is evident through comprehensive training opportunities and a supportive environment that encourages professional development. Located in the heart of London, our institution offers unique advantages such as access to world-class resources and a vibrant community dedicated to advancing research and education.
