Lecturer in Physical Geography and Spatial Data Science (Education)

Lecturer in Physical Geography and Spatial Data Science (Education)

Department: Department of Geography

About us

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 climate change, disasters, smart cities, risk regulation, water, human migration and wildfire hazards. 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 as a laboratory, our students and staff study migration, transport, housing, displacement, air and water quality, and health impacts on Londoners.

About the role

The Department of Geography, King's College London invites applications for a Lecturer in Physical Geography and Spatial Data Science (Education). The successful applicant will contribute to teaching in-person (including residential fieldtrips) and online, supervision, tutorials, marking, and academic and pastoral support of students on the BSc programme in Geography and Environmental Science and on selected Masters' programmes (e.g. MSc Environmental Science for Sustainability). The successful applicant will be expected to play a leading delivery role in delivering undergraduate modules such as Principles of Spatial Data Science, Applications of Spatial Data Science, and first and second year tutorials in Physical Geography and in our postgraduate module on GIS and Spatial Data Science.

As a minor part of their role, the applicant will be expected to undertake individual and collaborative research in their field, contributing to one of the five research groups within the Department (e.g. Physical and Environmental Geography; Political Ecology, Biodiversity and Ecosystem Services; Risk, Hazard and Society). They will also contribute to the intellectual and social environment of the Geography department by taking on administrative roles as necessary in a collegiate manner. They will receive mentoring and support to develop their skills and experience in education, academic administration, and scholarship.

Candidates should hold a PhD in Physical Geography or a cognate discipline and should have a developing research profile in their field. They should be familiar with the academic environment in the UK and have experience of delivering innovative Physical Geography teaching at undergraduate and/or postgraduate level. The candidate must have experience of open-source coding tools such as Python, R and computational notebooks.

The Lectureship is a two-year fixed term position with a probation period. Applicants must be available to start in September 2025. This post will report to the Head of Department of Geography. The Lecturer will receive mentoring and support to develop their skills and experience in education, academic administration, and research.

This is a full time (35 Hours per week), and you will be offered a fixed term contract until 31/08/2027.

About you

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

1. PhD qualified in Physical Geography or a cognate discipline (viva must be passed before September start date)
2. Experience of designing and delivering lectures, practicals, seminars and tutorials in the field of Spatial Data Science, making use of open-source coding tools such as Python, R and computational notebooks
3. Experience of teaching relevant Physical Geography subjects at undergraduate and/or postgraduate level, with evidence of innovative and effective teaching and ability to engage and inspire students of diverse and international backgrounds
4. Experience of supervising student research projects, including providing guidance in Physical Geography methods and excellent feedback on assessment
5. Demonstrated ability, through peer reviewed publications or other appropriate modes of dissemination, to make contributions to knowledge in your field of research
6. Demonstrated 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 on teaching and contribute to one or more of the department's Physical Geography research groups
7. Experience of working in the UK Higher Education system
8. Completion of appropriate training in Higher Education teaching and learning/academic practice
9. Completion of appropriate training in equal opportunities, diversity, and inclusion
10. Experience of providing academic advice and pastoral support to students, and a commitment to supporting student welfare and enhancing the student experience
11. Experience of academic leadership in education (e.g. as programme lead) or in the wider discipline (e.g. in professional associations, advisory boards, journals)

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 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 May.

We are able to offer sponsorship for candidates who do not currently possess the right to work in the UK, but would ask applicants to carefully consider information about associated costs on the King's 'Relocating to London' page.

Grade and Salary: £53,149-£62,422 per annum including London Weighting Allowance Job ID: 113166

Post Date: 15-Apr-2025 Close Date: 06-May-2025

Contact Person: Prof Kate Schreckenberg Contact Details: