Lecturer in Disordered Systems

About us

King’s College London is a world-leading university based in the heart of London. The Faculty of Natural, Mathematical & Engineering Sciences brings together research and education in mathematics, physics, chemistry, computer science and engineering, with a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary collaboration, innovation and addressing fundamental scientific questions and wider societal challenges.

The Department of Mathematics has a long and distinguished tradition in pure and applied mathematics, dating back to the appointment of King’s first Professor of Mathematics in 1830. Today, the Department is a leading centre for mathematics research in the UK, fostering a vibrant, international and collaborative research environment. Its research spans a broad range of areas, including analysis, disordered systems, financial mathematics, geometry, number theory, probability, statistics and theoretical physics, with strong connections across King’s and with external academic and industrial partners.

The Disordered Systems group is at the forefront of research in the statistical mechanics of disordered and complex systems. Its work encompasses a broad range of mathematical and theoretical approaches to systems with randomness, complexity and emergent behaviour, and connects naturally with research across mathematics, physics, data science and the life sciences. The group provides a stimulating environment for developing new directions in the theory and applications of disordered and complex systems.

About the role

We are seeking to appoint a Lecturer in Disordered Systems to join the Department of Mathematics at King’s College London. The appointment forms part of the continued strategic development of Mathematics at King’s and offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to the growth of our research and teaching in complex and disordered systems, in line with King's Strategy 2030.

We welcome applications from strong candidates working on mathematical aspects of complex and disordered systems. Relevant research areas include:

• Statistical and quantum mechanics of disordered systems
• Random Matrix Theory
• Statistical physics of biological systems and active matter
• Spin glasses and other glassy systems
• Statistical physics approaches to machine learning and neural networks
• Nonequilibrium statistical mechanics and stochastic thermodynamics
• Statistical Mechanics and its applications, using methods of or as related to the following areas:
  • Field Theory
  • Quantum information
  • Hydrodynamics
  • Integrable systems/exact methods
  • Out-of-equilibrium classical and quantum many-body systems

We are particularly interested in candidates who will develop an ambitious and independent research programme while creating new opportunities for collaboration within the Disordered Systems group, across the Department of Mathematics and more widely at King’s.

The successful candidate will undertake internationally excellent research and scholarship, contribute to the research profile and external visibility of the Disordered Systems group, and should demonstrate clear potential to attract external research funding. They will contribute to undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and assessment, supervise research students, and support the delivery of an excellent and inclusive student experience, including student support and pastoral responsibilities.

This is an opportunity to join a vibrant and collaborative research environment and to play an active role in shaping the future development of Disordered Systems at King’s.

This is a full-time post (35 hours per week), and you will be offered an indefinite contract.

Further information about the department can be found at: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/mathematics

About you

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

Essential criteria

1. PhD in a subfield of Mathematics or Theoretical Physics relevant to the core research carried out in the Disordered Systems group at King’s
2. Strong research record in Disordered Systems, as evidenced by publications in high-quality journals and conferences, a desire and vision to advance research development
3. In-depth knowledge in an area of Disordered Systems and clear potential to make significant contributions to that area in the future.
4. Demonstrable potential to attract external research funds
5. Ability to teach undergraduate and postgraduate modules in mathematics and ability to supervise postgraduate research students
6. Ability to make significant contributions to administrative work
7. Excellent oral and written communication skills, with an excellent standard of English language
8. A collegial and proactive attitude towards students and colleagues including the ability to fit with existing expertise within the Disordered Systems group.

Desirable criteria

1. Completion of appropriate training in Higher Education teaching and learning/academic practice. Those without this will need to complete this in their first year in post.
2. Experience in attracting external research funds
3. Experience of academic administration

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 page.

This document will provide information of what criteria will be assessed at each stage of the recruitment process.

We ask all candidates to submit a copy of their CV, a Research Statement (outlining your most significant contributions to date, your planned research directions for the next few years, and your fit with the research direction of the group, max 3 pages in A4 format) and a Teaching Statement (outlining any teaching experience to date and how you would envisage yourself contributing to the teaching in the department if appointed, max 2 pages in A4 format). The applicants should detail in their statements how they meet the essential criteria listed in the person specification section of the job description.

Grade and Salary: £54,923 - £64,515 per annum, including London Weighting Allowance

Job ID: 163085

Post Date: 09-Nov-2026

Close Date: 07-Jan-2027

Contact Person: Professor Pierpaolo Vivo

Contact Details: Pierpaolo.vivo@kcl.ac.uk