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- Tasks: Conduct qualitative research and engage with communities to support minoritised ethnic people with health conditions.
- Company: Join King's College London, a leading institution in global health and social medicine research.
- Benefits: Enjoy professional development days, a collaborative environment, and a competitive salary package.
- Why this job: Make a real impact on healthcare for diverse communities while working in an inclusive, interdisciplinary team.
- Qualifications: PhD or nearing completion in social sciences; strong qualitative research and community engagement experience required.
- Other info: Full-time role until August 2027, with opportunities for travel and collaboration across the UK.
The predicted salary is between 38300 - 40000 £ per year.
Organisation/Company KINGS COLLEGE LONDON Research Field History Philosophy Religious sciences Environmental science Geosciences Political sciences Sociology Ethics in social sciences Researcher Profile Recognised Researcher (R2) Established Researcher (R3) Country United Kingdom Application Deadline 1 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 DescriptionAbout us
The Department of Global Health & Social Medicine is a unique interdisciplinary community of students, teachers and researchers. Together, we explore the complex social determinants of health, illness and ageing.
Founded in 2012 (and formerly known as the Department of Social Science, Health & Medicine), we are now ranked within the top 10 sociology departments in the UK. Our internationally-recognised expertise, consultancy work and contributions to policy development are utilised by a myriad of organisations and networks.
By connecting social scientists, biomedical researchers and clinicians, we deliver research-led teaching that investigates the ways in which advances in biomedicine and biotechnology are changing expectations on life and health, as well as the nature of medical practice.
About the role
From 1920 to 1975, Brazil was pitted against an unprecedent phenomenon: the wild diseases. Plague and yellow fever, two urban diseases, progressively advanced towards the Brazilian hinterland, where they infected rural populations and wild animals, such as rodents, marsupials, and primates. The history of diseases moving from cities to wild spaces complexifies current mainstream interpretations about emerging infectious diseases. Exploring this difference, the Wellcome Trust-funded project \”How Did Infectious Diseases Become Wild?: Plague, Yellow Fever, and Disease Ecology in the Brazilian Hinterland (1920-1975)\” asks three main questions: which knowledge about wild diseases emerged in Brazil? How did Brazilian health authorities control wild diseases? What were the social and environmental consequences of anti-wild disease measures in Brazil? In reconstructing the epistemological, political, social, and environmental dimensions of wild diseases in Brazil, the project will advance empirical knowledge on the history of disease ecology from a Global South perspective.
The Department of Global Health & Social Medicine invites candidates interested in developing a ground-breaking postdoctoral research project within Dr Matheus Alves Duarte da Silva Wellcome Career Development project \”How Did Infectious Diseases Become Wild?: Plague, Yellow Fever, and Disease Ecology in the Brazilian Hinterland (1920-1975)\” for 36 months, with a focus on Brazil, infectious diseases, zoonosis, rural communities, environmental and animal history. The two successful candidates will assist Dr Duarte da Silva on answering his project\’s main questions and will develop their own research projects and agendas, helping to provide new empirical frameworks critically engaging with cutting-edge research on zoonosis and emerging infectious diseases.
This is not an applied research project.
The successful candidates will be expected to spend considerable time in Brazil carrying out research.
The successful candidates will be expected to contribute to the Department of Global Health and Social Medicine and actively participate in Department meetings and research groups. Contribution expectations are outlined in the GHSM Departmental research staff policy.
This is a full-time post and you will be offered a fixed term contract until September 2029
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 Degree in a relevant area of the social sciences or humanities (e.g., history, sociology, anthropology, geography, political science, science & technology studies, development studies);
Strong research profile for career stage, as demonstrated through lead authorship of well-placed publications;
Excellent interpersonal and communication skills
Openness to multidisciplinary department and collegiality
Capability to contribute to the department\’s administration
Ability to use own initiative and think critically
Experience of archival research in Brazil
Commitment to develop their own research agenda
Potential for impact beyond the academy, through reaching broader audiences and/or influencing public policy.
Experience of organising scientific events
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.
Grade and Salary: £45,031 – £48,607 per annum including London Weighting Allowance
Job ID: 134807
Close Date: 01-Feb-2026
Contact Person: Dr Matheus Alves Duarte da Silva
Contact Details: matheus.alves_duarte_da_silva@kcl.ac.uk
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Postdoctoral Research Associate, Global Health & Social Medicine employer: King's College London
Contact Detail:
King's College London Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Postdoctoral Research Associate, Global Health & Social Medicine
✨Tip Number 1
Familiarise yourself with the latest research and trends in global health and social medicine, particularly focusing on minoritised ethnic groups. This will not only enhance your understanding but also allow you to engage in meaningful conversations during interviews.
✨Tip Number 2
Network with professionals in the field by attending relevant conferences or workshops. Building connections can provide insights into the role and may even lead to recommendations that could strengthen your application.
✨Tip Number 3
Prepare to discuss your experience with qualitative research methods in detail. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've engaged with communities and conducted interviews, as this is a key aspect of the role.
✨Tip Number 4
Demonstrate your commitment to diversity and inclusion in your discussions. Highlight any previous work or initiatives you've been involved in that support these values, as they align closely with the ethos of the project.
We think you need these skills to ace Postdoctoral Research Associate, Global Health & Social Medicine
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Supporting Statement: Make sure to craft a supporting statement that directly addresses the essential criteria listed in the job description. Highlight your experience in qualitative research and community engagement, and provide specific examples of how you've applied these skills in previous roles.
Showcase Your Research Skills: Emphasise your knowledge of qualitative research methods and any relevant software you’ve used, such as NVivo. Mention any previous projects where you successfully conducted interviews or analysed qualitative data, as this is crucial for the role.
Highlight Community Engagement Experience: Since the role involves working with minoritised ethnic communities, detail your experience in community engagement. Discuss any initiatives you've been part of that involved collaboration with diverse groups, and how you approached these interactions.
Proofread and Format Your CV: Ensure your CV is well-organised and free from errors. Use clear headings and bullet points to make it easy to read. Include relevant academic achievements, publications, and any professional development activities that align with the role's requirements.
How to prepare for a job interview at King's College London
✨Showcase Your Qualitative Research Skills
Be prepared to discuss your experience with qualitative research methods in detail. Highlight specific projects where you've conducted interviews or engaged with communities, especially with minoritised ethnic groups, as this is crucial for the role.
✨Demonstrate Community Engagement Experience
Share examples of how you've successfully engaged with communities in your previous work. Discuss any participatory research methods you've used and how they contributed to understanding the needs of diverse populations.
✨Familiarise Yourself with Intersectionality
Understand and be ready to discuss intersectionality-informed approaches to research. This will show your awareness of the complexities involved in health and social issues, which is vital for this position.
✨Prepare Thoughtful Questions
Think of insightful questions to ask the interviewers about the project and the team. This demonstrates your genuine interest in the role and helps you assess if the position aligns with your career goals.