Postdoctoral Research Associate

The Global institute for Women’s Leadership is a globally recognised research institute on gender equality located in the heart of London at Kings College London, one of the world’s oldest and most prestigious universities. GIWL was founded in 2018 by the 27th Prime Minister of Australia, The Hon Julia Gillard, AC who continues to chair the institute and play an active role its work.

In 2025, GIWL became a part of King’s Business School, which is a dynamic new faculty focused on business as a force for good. Our work is structured around three key themes that reflect current societal, economic, and political transformations:
Modern Work and Gender Equality, Inclusive Entrepreneurship for A Sustainable Future and Leadership models fit for the future and inclusive cultures.

About the role:

This post will contribute to a developing programme of quantitative research on work and well-being, in relation to modern work (flexible working, digitalisation of work, AI), leadership, and entrepreneurship. The role is designed to strengthen research capacity in empirical, data-driven analysis with a particular focus on generating robust evidence that challenges prevailing assumptions and dominant narratives around “ideal” worker and entrepreneur models and the role well-being has therein.

The post is not tied to a single externally funded project, but supports the development of high-quality quantitative research outputs, pilot analyses, and competitive external funding proposals aligned with the centre’s research priorities. The postholder will work closely with academic staff to develop collaborative research, contribute to grant development, and produce publishable academic outputs.

This is a full time position. The appointment is for 12 months in the first instance, with the possibility of extension subject to funding availability.

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 qualified in Social Sciences including sociology, social policy, management, economics, psychology, or similar.
• Strong quantitative research expertise, evidenced by doctoral or postdoctoral research on work, employment, well-being, or entrepreneurship.
• Experience with longitudinal, panel, or administrative data sources.
• Proficiency in relevant statistical software (e.g. Stata, R, Python, SPSS, or similar).
• Proven capability to produce publishable empirical research outputs
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to present quantitative findings clearly to academic audiences.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively within a research team.
• Experience contributing to, or leading, grant or funding applications.
• Experience in economic analysis on return on investment of policies
• Interest in relevant policy areas both at national and company level
• Evidence of interdisciplinary research collaboration.