King's College London
Research Assistant

How your CV stacks up
Upload your CV to see how well it fits this job role
?%
About us
The fourth National Adaptation Programme (NAP4) is due to be published in 2028. To drive greater action and ambition, Defra is working across government to set adaptation objectives. Defra is looking to support teams across government to use the existing evidence base to formulate objectives to cover the 14 adaptation systems set out in CCRA4. The work includes scoping objectives; testing and revising objectives using evidence and working with delivery partners and stakeholders, and finally, developing delivery plans and indicators.
To support this process, the Maximising UK Adaptation to Climate Change (MACC) Hub is supporting teams across government. From May 2026 to March 2027, the MACC Hub will conduct evidence gathering, synthesis, and analysis required by UK Government teams in developing robust climate adaptation objectives and provide knowledge and tools. In addition to translating and synthesising existing evidence, the MACC Hub will convene stakeholders to provide expert input to the process.
About the role
We are seeking 2 part-time Research Assistants (RAs) to provide flexible support with evidence review and stakeholder engagement for a period of 4 months. You will work closely with the Research and Policy Manager and the wider MACC Hub team, with opportunities to be involved at the centre of adaptation policy work across UK Government.
Research areas could include, but are not limited to:
- Evidence-based decision making; the science-policy interface and decision-support processes
- Climate change impacts, adaptation, and vulnerability analysis
- Economic data review on adaptation actions
The post holder will report to Suzannah Sherman who is leading the work for the MACC Hub and will be able to work as part of King’s hybrid working model (Strand Campus).
This is a part-time post (20 hours per week), and you will be offered a fixed-term contract for 4 months.
Reasons to use Rodeo
I’m in my final year doing Economics and I don’t know whether to apply for grad schemes now or do a masters first. What do you think?
Honest answer — it depends on where you want to end up. A lot of top grad schemes (Big 4, civil service, banking) don’t need a masters. Let’s look at the ones you’d be competitive for now, and we can decide if a masters actually adds anything.
Also worth knowing: most autumn 2026 applications are open now. Timing matters more than you think.
Start with a chat, not a search bar
Grad scheme, placement, apprenticeship? Not sure what you want yet — that's fine. Your agent talks it through with you and turns "I have no idea" into a shortlist.
Graduate Consultant — 2026 Scheme
Why you're a good match
StrongYour economics background and your summer at a regional bank line up with what PwC looks for on the consulting scheme. Applications close in four weeks.
See breakdownIt searches the market for you
Every day your agent scans the market matching roles against what actually matters to you, not just keywords on a CV.
Why you're a good match
You’ve got the grades and the economics background, and your bank internship is exactly the experience this scheme looks for. Apply soon — deadlines close within the month.
Experience fit
Your summer at the bank plus your econometrics coursework map directly to the day-one responsibilities on this scheme — client modelling, market briefings, and deal support.
Only hits
No noise. No "maybe this fits." Just roles with a clear explanation of why they're right — and where to focus when applying.
About you
To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:
Essential criteria
- MSc degree, or current PhD candidate in, climate change, environment, evidence-based decision-making, risk analysis, disasters and resilience, or related interdisciplinary fields
- Proven experience of conducting literature reviews and case-study analyses
- Ability to create clear, informative, and visually engaging materials for research or stakeholder engagement
- Strong administrative abilities and organisational skills
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
- Evident interest in climate change adaptation and/or the science–policy interface
- Experience designing or supporting expert workshops, roundtables and/or professional events
Desirable criteria
- Experience working proactively as part of a research group or collaborative project
- An understanding of the policy environment in which the work is situated
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 on what criteria will be assessed at each stage of the recruitment process.
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.


Get help with your application
Your very own career expert that helps elevate your application to the next level.
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.
“It took my CV and asked me questions relevant to understanding what kind of jobs to suggest for me. Suggestions were almost perfect. Jobs were exactly what I’ve been looking for.”
Jessica, London
Skills
Location