Associate Professor in Finance/Financial Economics

UCL is one of the world's top universities. At its establishment in 1826, UCL was radical and responsive to the needs of society, and this ethos – that excellence should go hand-in-hand with enriching society – continues today. UCL's excellence extends across all academic disciplines; from one of Europe's largest and most productive hubs for biomedical science interacting with several leading London hospitals, to world-renowned centres for architecture (UCL Bartlett) and fine art (UCL Slade School). With an annual turnover exceeding £1 billion, it is a major research and education hub in London and globally.

The UCL Department of Economics is one of the oldest departments of Economics in England, with the Chair of Political Economy created in 1827 in memory of David Ricardo. In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF2021), the Department received an overall grade-point average of 3.57 (out of 4) - the third department in Economics and Econometrics, in the UK. REF2021 also showed that 72.2% of all indicators of output were rated at the highest 4* (World Leading) level. The department offers a number of undergraduate degree programmes, a vigorous undergraduate affiliate student programme, Masters programmes in Economics and Economic Policy and a structured MPhil/PhD programme.

The Department of Economics at UCL is a medium-sized department by UK standards with a regular academic staff of 50, but it is supplemented with full-time research staff and part-time teaching fellows plus an active programme of academic visitors. There are currently over 1000 undergraduates and more than 150 graduate students studying in the department.

The UCL School of Management is home to UCL’s business and management research and education programmes. The School has forged a reputation for world-leading research and teaching in the areas of innovation management, the creation and growth of technology-intensive organisations, business analytics, and entrepreneurship. The 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF) rated the majority of the research performed in the UCL School of Management as “world-leading” or “internationally excellent”; at 95% this was the second highest percentage of any business school in the UK. The School is accredited by both the AACSB and AMBA, and is a member of the Chartered Association of Business Schools.

We offer innovative undergraduate, postgraduate, PhD, MBA and executive programmes in Management, Entrepreneurship, Business Analytics, Information Management Systems, and Finance, designed to prepare students for leadership roles in the next generation of innovation-intensive organisations. The School is home to over 2,000 students, with more than 55% from outside the UK. The School’s faculty members also come from all over the world, with PhDs from Harvard, MIT, Stanford, Columbia, UCLA, Northwestern, Cornell, Duke, Cambridge, and London Business School among others.

The UCL School of Management takes full advantage of being part of a world-leading university through its interdisciplinary outlook and builds on close collaborations in both research and education with other UCL departments, including computer science, engineering, economics, psychology, public policy, statistics and medical sciences. This is an exciting time to join the UCL School of Management as it is embarking on a significant expansion plan which will see it deliver on a new strategy to double in size over the next five years. An increase in degree programmes and staff will ensure that we continue our mission to deliver the next generation of socially conscious entrepreneurial leaders, who will tackle the world’s greatest challenges.

About the role: As part of its continuing expansion in the field of Finance, University College London (UCL) seeks to appoint an Associate Professor in a joint position in the Finance Unit in SHS Faculty/Department of Economics and at the UCL School of Management (in the Finance, Accounting & Economics Group). The post holder will be expected to carry out research in Financial Economics, and produce publications, or other research outputs, at an internationally significant standard in terms of originality, significance and rigour, in line with personal and Department objectives agreed in the Staff Review and Department planning processes. The starting date for this post will be 1st August 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter.

Duties and responsibilities:

• To carry out research in the area of Finance and produce publications at an internationally significant standard in terms of originality, significance and rigour.
• To play a role in helping to maintain the research environment within the Centre for Finance and the School of Management, and in engaging in external activities that bring national and international esteem to the School, the Department, and UCL.
• To teach at undergraduate and graduate level in areas allocated by the Heads of Department.
• To supervise undergraduate and graduate students.
• To contribute to the development, planning and implementation of a high-quality curriculum.
• To participate in the development, administration and marking of exams and other assessments.
• To provide pastoral care and support to students.
• To contribute to departmental, faculty, or UCL-wide working groups or committees.
• To maintain own continuing professional development.
• To actively follow and promote UCL policies, including Equal Opportunities.
• To carry out any other duties commensurate with the grade and purpose of the position.

About you: Person Specification

• A PhD in a related field.
• Capability to produce publications or other research outputs at an internationally significant standard.
• Demonstrable leadership in their research field, for instance reflected by journal (associate) editorships and research awards.
• A record of successful supervision and mentoring of graduate students and research staff.
• Experience of teaching and of programme or course development.
• A proven record of collaboration with other researchers and institutions or individuals.
• A good track record in teaching at different levels.
• Responding proactively and appropriately to the needs of colleagues, staff, students and partners.
• Listening closely, and speaking with clarity to all colleagues, staff, students, and partners.
• Making timely and data‑led decisions.

What we offer:

As well as the exciting opportunities this role presents, we also offer some great benefits:

• 41 Days holiday (27 days annual leave, 8 bank holidays and 6 closure days).
• Additional 5 days’ annual leave purchase scheme.
• Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE).
• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan.
• Immigration loan.
• Relocation scheme for certain posts.
• On-Site nursery.
• On-site gym.
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay.
• Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service.
• Discounted medical insurance.

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:

As London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world’s talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in UCL’s workforce. These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women.