At a Glance
- Tasks: Provide administrative support for an exciting research project on popular government.
- Company: Join a unique interdisciplinary department in the heart of London.
- Benefits: Part-time role with a fixed-term contract and a supportive work environment.
- Other info: Inclusive culture that values diversity and offers excellent career development opportunities.
- Why this job: Be part of a groundbreaking project that empowers ordinary citizens.
- Qualifications: Degree-level education and experience in administrative support are essential.
The predicted salary is between 30000 - 40000 £ per year.
The Department of Political Economy is a unique interdisciplinary enterprise located in the heart of London with proximity to both the world of politics and the City. Founded in 2010, it is the only dedicated Department of Political Economy in the United Kingdom. The teaching and research recognises that the disciplines of Politics, Philosophy, and Economics are inextricably linked: it is not possible to properly understand political processes without exploring the economic or value contexts in which politics operates. Similarly, sound economic analysis requires an awareness of how resource allocation is conditioned both by the values and principles of individuals and communities, and by political and legal institutions, and the way these have been understood by different traditions in social thought.
The successful candidate will provide administrative support for the ERC Synergy research project POPGOV (Popular Government in Global Perspective). The project seeks to uncover the principles and institutions of popular government, understood as those which empower ordinary citizens rather than socio-economic elites. POGOV is led by four co-PIs, Udit Bhatia (King's College London), Bruno Leipold (LSE), Pierre‑Etienne Vandamme (UC Louvain) and Yanina Welp (Girona), who will each recruit and host a team of postdoctoral researchers. The successful candidate will provide administrative support for the work package hosted at KCL by Dr Udit Bhatia and for the project as a whole. They will facilitate room and travel bookings, project reporting, budgetary oversight, and publicity for the project. Successful candidates will be expected to start in June 2026 or as early as possible, although a later start date may be possible. This is a part time post (10.5 hours per week), and you will be offered a fixed term contract for 1st June 2026 to 31st May 2032.
To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:
- Essential criteria
- Educated to degree level or equivalent
- Experience of administrative support in a higher education setting
- Strong organisational and time‑management skills
- Ability to communicate effectively with diverse audiences
- Ability to monitor and report budgets
- Ability to work as part of an international team
- High level of attention to detail
- Experience of project administration for a research project
- Strong IT skills
- An interest in the humanities/social sciences
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. Interviews are due to be held in May 2026.
Senior Project Officer (ERC Synergy Grant) employer: King’s College London
Contact Detail:
King’s College London Recruiting Team
StudySmarter Expert Advice 🤫
We think this is how you could land Senior Project Officer (ERC Synergy Grant)
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to your connections in academia or related fields. A friendly chat can lead to opportunities that aren’t even advertised yet.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for interviews by researching the project and its leaders. Knowing the ins and outs of the ERC Synergy Grant will show you’re genuinely interested and ready to contribute.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice your communication skills! Since this role involves liaising with diverse audiences, being able to articulate your thoughts clearly will set you apart.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure your application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we love seeing candidates who are proactive!
We think you need these skills to ace Senior Project Officer (ERC Synergy Grant)
Some tips for your application 🫡
Read the Job Description Carefully: Before you start writing, give the job description a good read. It’s packed with clues about what we’re looking for, so make sure you understand the role and the skills we value.
Tailor Your CV and Supporting Statement: Don’t just send the same old CV! Tailor it to highlight your relevant experience and skills that match our essential criteria. Use your supporting statement to really show us how you meet those requirements.
Show Off Your Organisational Skills: Since this role involves a lot of admin support, make sure to showcase your organisational and time-management skills. Give examples of how you've successfully managed projects or tasks in the past.
Apply Through Our Website: We encourage you to apply through our website for a smooth application process. It’s the best way to ensure your application gets to us without any hiccups!
How to prepare for a job interview at King’s College London
✨Know Your Project Inside Out
Before the interview, make sure you thoroughly understand the ERC Synergy research project POPGOV. Familiarise yourself with its goals, the co-PIs involved, and how your role as a Senior Project Officer fits into the bigger picture. This will show your genuine interest and help you answer questions more confidently.
✨Highlight Relevant Experience
When discussing your background, focus on your administrative support experience in higher education settings. Be ready to share specific examples of how you've managed budgets, facilitated travel bookings, or supported research projects. Tailoring your experiences to match the job description will make you stand out.
✨Demonstrate Strong Communication Skills
Since the role requires effective communication with diverse audiences, prepare to showcase your ability to convey information clearly. You might be asked about past experiences where you had to communicate complex ideas to different stakeholders, so have a few examples ready that highlight your adaptability.
✨Showcase Your Organisational Skills
Given the importance of strong organisational and time-management skills for this position, be prepared to discuss how you prioritise tasks and manage multiple responsibilities. Consider sharing a situation where your attention to detail made a significant difference in a project’s success.