Assistant Professor in International Development (Quantitative Social Science)
Join the London School of Economics to advance cutting-edge research and teaching in quantitative social science for international development.
Best for:Best for established researchers with a PhD in social sciences, strong quantitative skills, and a passion for interdisciplinary development research.
Overview
The London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) invites applications for an Assistant Professor position in International Development with a focus on quantitative social science. This role is based in the Department of International Development, which seeks candidates capable of delivering world-class research and teaching on contemporary development challenges. The successful candidate will contribute to multidisciplinary research and teaching across all MSc programmes, with a particular emphasis on quantitative methods beyond mainstream economics. Research themes include inequality, political stability, governance, and technology’s role in development. The position requires a commitment to fieldwork-based research and advancing social science theory through high-impact publications.
What you'll do
- Conduct cutting-edge research on contemporary development problems using quantitative methods beyond mainstream economics, such as economic history, political science, sociology, anthropology, geography, statistics, or data science.
- Teach across all MSc programmes in the Department of International Development, including designing and delivering courses as instructed by the Head of Department.
- Supervise PhD students and contribute to their training and development.
- Engage in high-quality teaching and participate in departmental and school-wide activities, including intellectual discussions and collaborative projects.
- Publish outstanding research in highly rated social science and development journals or books, advancing social science theory.
- Collaborate with colleagues across disciplines to foster a multidisciplinary research environment.
- Contribute to the intellectual life of the School through research, teaching, and participation in departmental and school activities.
Requirements
Degree required: PhD in International Development, Social Sciences, Economics, Political Science, Sociology, Anthropology, Geography, Statistics, or a related field, or be close to completing a PhD by the start date.
Language: English; proficiency required for teaching and research purposes.
Instruction: English
Publications: Publications in highly rated social science and development journals or books.
- Strong disciplinary or multidisciplinary training in quantitative methods beyond mainstream economics (e.g., economic history, political science, sociology, anthropology, geography, statistics, or data science).
- Experience conducting empirically grounded research with a focus on fieldwork.
- Proven ability to publish in highly rated social science and development journals or books.
- Commitment to working in a multidisciplinary environment and contributing to the intellectual life of the School.
- Experience in teaching at the graduate level.
- Applicants must be close to completing a PhD by the start date (1 September 2027).
- Commitment to diversity and inclusion is encouraged, particularly from underrepresented groups such as minority ethnic backgrounds and women.
Funding & terms
How to apply
Deadline: 2026-12-01 (Europe/London)
Applicants must submit their application through the LSE’s online recruitment system. The application process requires a CV, cover letter, research statement, and other documents as specified in the person specification attached to the vacancy. For technical queries, use the contact links on the LSE Jobs page. Queries about research and teaching can be directed to the provided email address.
- CV
- Cover letter
- Research statement
- Person specification (attached to the vacancy)
- Proof of PhD completion or confirmation of imminent completion
Contact
Jean-Philippe Faguet· Department Contact for Research and Teaching
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