Lecturer in Applied Mathematics (Optimisation)
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, based at the University’s Strand Campus in central London, 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 wide range of areas across pure and applied mathematics and theoretical physics, with growing strengths in mathematical modelling, optimisation, data-driven methods, and computational mathematics, with strong connections across King’s and with external academic and industrial partners.
Research in the department is organised around several research groups, including Financial Mathematics, Statistics, Disordered Systems, and Theoretical Physics. Optimisation and data science constitute a key research area within these research groups, which maintain active collaborations both within King’s and with leading international institutions, and contribute to a vibrant research culture including seminars, workshops, and conferences. Further information about the department and its research activities can be found here.
About the role
Applications are invited for a Lectureship in Optimisation with a focus on continuous and stochastic optimisation (mathematical programming) in 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 research in optimisation and teaching in mathematics, in line with King's Strategy 2030.
The postholder will develop an independent research programme in mathematical modelling and optimisation while creating opportunities for collaboration within the Department of Mathematics and more widely across King’s College.
They will be expected to contribute to the research activities of one or more of the Department’s research groups and to enhance the research profile of the Department through publications, participation in scientific meetings, and collaboration with national and international partners.
The role also involves undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and assessment, supervision of research students, and a contribution to the delivery of an excellent and inclusive student experience.
The postholder will play a key role in developing the optimisation and modelling components of the new BSc in Quantitative Modelling, launching in September 2027, with a particular focus on applying optimisation techniques to real-world problems.
In addition, the successful candidate will contribute to the wider intellectual and institutional life of the Department through scholarly engagement, collaboration with colleagues within and beyond King’s, and participation in the organisation and collegial structure of the Department.
This is a full-time position (35 hours per week) and an indefinite contract will be offered.
The position is based at the Strand Campus of King’s College London, with an expected start date no later than September 2027.
About you
To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:
Essential criteria
- PhD in Mathematics, Applied Mathematics or in a closely related discipline with a strong mathematical component (e.g. operations research, mathematical programming, statistics).
- A strong research profile in continuous optimisation and its applications evidenced by publications in high-quality journals.
- Demonstrable potential to attract external research funding.
- A clearly articulated research vision that provides a compelling rationale for the proposed research activities and demonstrates excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
- Expertise in optimisation and computational approaches to quantitative problems
- Ability to teach undergraduate and postgraduate modules in mathematics and to supervise postgraduate research students.
- Ability to contribute effectively to academic administration and the wider collegial responsibilities of the Department.
- Excellent organisational, analytical and problem-solving skills and ability to use own initiative and think critically.
Desirable criteria
- Experience working with industry or applied research environments in a role involving computational optimisation
- Experience developing or leading undergraduate modules.
- Experience integrating computational or modelling tools into teaching.
- Experience of project-based learning and assessment.
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 one or more groups within the department , 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.
Further Information
At King’s, we believe that the diversity of our community and a culture that is welcoming, open, inclusive and collaborative, are great strengths of the university.
The Equality Act of 2010 protects the rights of our students and staff and provides a framework to fulfil our duties to eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and in addition, to advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations between those who share a protected characteristic and those who do not. At times, this will include balancing rights and beliefs that can feel in tension.
We are committed to free speech and to academic freedom, believing that our foundational purpose as a university, is to create spaces where a wide range of ideas, including ideas that are controversial, can be discussed and debated, and where members of our community can express lawful views without fear of intimidation, harassment or discrimination.
When engaging in the robust exchange of ideas, we ask that our community is mindful of our Dignity at King’s guidance.
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 person specification section of the job description. 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.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is evolving rapidly, and we recognise its growing role in professional work. Applicants may use AI tools to support preparation of their application, for example to research the role or structure written responses. However, applications must reflect the applicant’s own work and experience. AI tools should not be used during interviews or assessment activities unless this has been agreed in advance as a reasonable adjustment. Further guidance on the use of AI in recruitment can be found here.
We reserve the right to close adverts early due to the volume of applications we receive. While the closing date may change, all adverts will close at 23:59 to allow sufficient time for applications to be submitted on that day.
We encourage you to apply at the earliest opportunity to avoid disappointment as once we have closed a vacancy you will be unable to submit your application.
To find out how our managers will review your application, please take a look at our ‘How we Recruit’ pages.
Interviews are provisionally due to be held early February 2027.
Grade and Salary: £54,923 - £64,515 per annum, including London Weighting Allowance
Job ID: 163025
Post Date: 03-Nov-2026
Close Date: 03-Jan-2027
Contact Person: Professor Teemu Pennanen
Contact Details: teemu.pennanen@kcl.ac.uk
