Two new IRDR teaching assistantships open for application

Applications are invited for two PhD funding opportunities to conduct research in, 1) Gender Responsive Resilience and, 2) Geophysical Hazard Risks based in the UCL Institute for Risk and Disaster Reduction, commencing in September 2020. Project descriptions are given below.

The Teaching Assistantships will be 3.5 years in duration and cover tuition fees up to the Home/EU rate, an annual stipend (£17,285 in 2020/21) and allowances for consumables and travel. The students will spend 6 months of their time teaching (spread across the 3.5 years) and devote the remainder to undertaking their research.

Studentship information

The UCL Institute for Risk and Disaster Reduction (IRDR) is a multi-disciplinary academic department, which leads research, knowledge exchange and advanced teaching in the areas of risk, disaster risk reduction (DRR) and humanitarian crises response. By providing a focus for UCL’s DRR activities, with its breadth of disciplinary emphasis, promotion of novel multi-disciplinary research and translation into practice, the Institute aims to assume a role of leadership in DRR both in the UK and internationally. The Institute is hosted in the Faculty of Mathematical and Physical Sciences (MAPS), but operates across all UCL’s faculties, spanning earth and space sciences, statistics, engineering and the built environment, social sciences and global health, as well as contributing to UCL’s Grand Challenges. It has a leading role in the Humanitarian Institute. Growth of the IRDR is a strategic priority of the MAPS Faculty. The IRDR presently has 11 members of academic staff, about 12 members of research staff, 4 members of professional services staff and a population of about 25 PhD students.

Key requirements

The principal requirements for admission to the MPhil/PhDs in the IRDR are a 1st class or high upper 2nd class bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree with merit or distinction in relevant disciplines. For the, 1) Gender Responsive Resilience PhD, candidates should have excellent knowledge and experience of qualitative and social science research methods and feminist theory with interests in the following areas: Gender, Peace and Conflict; Gender and Disaster; Disaster Risk Reduction; Feminist International Relations. For the, 2) Geophysical Hazard Risks PhD, candidates should have excellent knowledge and experience in quantitative methods, including modelling and programming, with an MSc/MSci in Geophysics, Physics, Engineering or related discipline and an enthusiasm for fieldwork.

The requirements for appointment as Postgraduate Teaching Assistant are detailed in the person specification. Teaching will be across the IRDR including supporting modules in emergency and crisis management, qualitative research methods, data analysis and interpretation, computer programming and field work.

The PhD Teaching Assistantships are based in London at UCL. Candidates should be able to travel nationally and internationally for teaching and research.

How to apply

All new candidates should apply for the Research Degree: Risk and Disaster Reduction (RRDRDRSING01) completing the online form https://www.ucl.ac.uk/prospective-students/graduate/apply/ and, in addition, send a separate covering letter explaining how they meet the criteria outlined in the Postgraduate Teaching Assistant person specification (giving specific examples where possible). The covering letter should be sent to Ms Rebecca Sibley at IRDR-enquiries@ucl.ac.uk. Candidates already in receipt of an offer of admission need only send the covering letter.

Closing date: 14 August 2020

Download more information and person specification