Senior Lecturer in Earth System Science in London

The Department of Geography is a vibrant community of students, teachers and researchers. Our holistic approach encompasses both human and physical geography perspectives on global challenges and pressing environmental, geopolitical, urban and rural issues. Our research findings contribute to public debates and policy development at national and international scales, making important contributions to work in climate change, disasters, smart cities, risk regulation, water, human migration and land surface processes related to agriculture, forests and landscape fire. We are also deeply committed to tackling pressing matters of social justice around the world. We undertake field research in over 95 countries across seven continents. Meanwhile, using London and its surroundings as a laboratory, our students and staff study the regions migration, transport, housing, displacement, air and water quality, and health.

The Department of Geography, King’s College London, invites applications for a Senior Lecturer in Earth System Science to bring highly complementary skills and experience to those of Professor Martin Wooster’s research group. Currently the main foci are thermal Earth Observation (EO) and landscape fire and fire emissions science, with activities in environmental modelling, airborne optical, vegetation and trace gas remote sensing, agricultural and other land surface and atmospheric science having significant room for growth. The Senior Lecturer will grow one or more of these latter areas, strengthening and widening the group’s utilisation of EO data when addressing critical scientific questions of societal relevance.

Candidates should hold a PhD in Environmental modelling, Earth Observation, Environmental Science or another relevant scientific discipline, have direct experience of producing high quality academic output, and an established research profile in their field. They will have the EO expertise necessary to expand the science areas targeted by the group’s many in situ, satellite and airborne EO proficiencies, and/or Earth system or environmental modelling skills and experience to utilise the group’s EO datasets along with external data to deepen its ability to address key research questions. The Senior Lecturer (SL) will also be expected to make a major contribution to teaching on the Department’s undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes, especially in one or more areas related to spatial data science, and will provide academic leadership in teaching and student supervision at all levels. They will have relevant teaching experience and excellent communication skills, a proven ability to initiate and lead research projects, and a record of attracting research grant income. Experience or familiarity with the academic environment in the UK is an advantage. The SL will be expected to carry out administrative duties at senior level within the Department. A commitment to collegiality is essential, as is the ability and willingness to engage in constructive dialogue with researchers and practitioners in a variety of contexts, and with policy makers. The SL will be responsible to the Head of Department of Geography. This is a full time post, and you will be offered an indefinite contract with a 3-year probation period.

To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:

• Essential criteria
• PhD qualified in Environmental Modelling, Earth Observation, Atmospheric Science, Physical Geography or another relevant field, with clear skills highly complementary to those of Professor Wooster’s existing research group and which thus expand its capabilities and science in areas identified as having significant potential for growth
• Experience of designing and/or convening and delivering modules involving one or more aspects of Environmental Science, Earth System Modelling, Earth Observation, Spatial Data Science or related subjects
• Experience of teaching relevant subjects at undergraduate and postgraduate level, with evidence of innovative and effective teaching and ability to engage and inspire students of diverse and international backgrounds
• Experience of supervising research projects, including primary or co-supervision of at least one PhD student
• Demonstrated ability, through peer reviewed publications, to make contributions to knowledge in your field of research
• Demonstrated success at obtaining and managing research grants as PI or Co-I
• Demonstrable interest in research impact and/or public engagement
• Demonstrable potential to be an invaluable colleague at King’s with ability to discharge administrative duties efficiently and collaborate effectively across disciplinary and/or department lines with colleagues
• Desirable criteria
• Completion of appropriate training in Higher Education teaching and learning/academic practice
• Demonstrated willingness to help coordinate aspects of measurement campaigns, ideally those involving airborne EO, and to work to develop ideas and funding sources for such campaigns
• Completion of appropriate training in equal opportunities, diversity, and inclusion
• Experience of academic leadership in education (e.g. as programme lead) or in the wider discipline (e.g. in professional associations, advisory boards, journals)
• Familiarity with the UK education system and the physical geography discipline

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. Interviews are due to be held in late June/early July. We are able to offer sponsorship for candidates who do not currently possess the right to work in the UK. However, we advise non-UK based candidates to carefully review our relocating to London pages.