Overview
Lecturer/Senior Lecturer in Music History – Strand, London, WC2R 2LS
About us
King’s Music Department, situated in the heart of London, is known worldwide for its innovative research across the sub-disciplines of music studies, and as a centre for internationally acclaimed composition. In the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF2021), the Department (in a joint submission with Film Studies) was ranked 4th in the UK, with 100 per cent of research impact and research environment rated ‘world-leading’ (4*) or ‘Internationally excellent’ (3*).
We have a relatively small, selective intake of undergraduates, and one of the largest postgraduate communities in the country. We welcome students from all over the world, and teach them to engage in innovative and interdisciplinary approaches to understanding music and its experience. The Department hosts highly acclaimed lectures, conferences, seminars, workshops, performances, and colloquia open to the public, and has long-standing connections with many of London’s cultural institutions.
About the role
The Department of Music seeks to hire a Lecturer or Senior Lecturer in Music History (Education & Research, Grade 6, 7, or 8) specialising in the history of opera and/or music theatre (any timeframe) OR historically European music c. 1780 to1900. Applicants must be able to teach in both areas.
The successful applicant will hold a PhD in music or a related humanities discipline; have a clear track record appropriate to their career stage as an emerging global research leader; and be a highly effective educator capable of delivering innovative, inclusive, diverse, and socially-engaged teaching.
They will be a highly effective educator, with experience of both face-to-face and online teaching and assessment in Higher Education, a commitment to student learning and welfare, and an aptitude for working within an interdisciplinary and inclusive framework. The post holder will also be required to be a Departmental Personal Tutor, and take on Departmental administrative roles appropriate to their career stage.
Applicants whose research interests are in key areas of global concern or at the cutting edge of their discipline/s are particularly encouraged to apply, including (but not restricted to) environmental humanities, migration and mobility, history of emotions and/or senses, empire and colonialism, medical humanities, sound studies, material culture, synergies with other arts/film, etc.
An appointment at Level 7 or 8 will require the post-holder to already have a teaching qualification, such as Fellowship of the HEA or equivalent, and previous experience in curriculum development. At Grade 8, the post-holder will already have supervised PhD students through to completion, and have extensive experience of academic administration or leadership in Higher Education appropriate to Senior Lecturer level.
Please note that we are not looking to hire a composer.
This is a full time post (35 Hours per week), and you will be offered an indefinite contract starting as soon possible, but no later than 1st January 2026.
About you
To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:
Essential criteria
- PhD in music or a related humanities discipline. Applicants must have passed their viva/defence before interview.
- Excellent knowledge and understanding of the history of opera and/or music theatre (any timeframe), OR historically European music c. 1780–1900. The successful applicant must be able to teach in both areas.
- Clearly defined research interests and plans compatible with the research strategies of the Department, Faculty and College, including establishing a track record appropriate to Grade level of high-quality publications, grant income, and research impact.
- For Grade 6, experience of teaching music humanities modules and supervising dissertations at undergraduate level. For Grade 7, in addition to the above, experience of teaching and supervision at postgraduate level, experience of curriculum development, and evidence of innovative and effective teaching and the ability to engage and inspire students of diverse and international backgrounds.
- For Grade 6, evidence of commitment to student welfare, including providing academic advice, assessment feedback, and pastoral support (e.g. as personal tutor). For Grade 7, experience of attending to student welfare, including providing academic advice, assessment feedback, and pastoral support (e.g. as personal tutor)
- For Grade 6, understanding of the requirements of academic administration. For Grade 7, extensive experience of academic administration.
To be considered for the Senior Lecturer post, applicants must in addition have:
- Extensive experience of academic administration and leadership in Higher Education appropriate to Senior Lecturer level
- Evidence of supervising PhD students to completion.
- Extensive experience of evidence of commitment to student welfare, including providing academic advice, assessment feedback, and pastoral support (e.g. as personal tutor) and extensive experience of attending to student welfare, including providing academic advice, assessment feedback, and pastoral support (e.g. as personal tutor).
Downloading a copy of our Job Description
Full details of the role and the skills, knowledge and experience required can be found in the Job Description document, provided at the bottom of the next page after you click “Apply Now”. This document will provide information of what criteria will be assessed at each stage of the recruitment process.
