School of Arts & Humanities
Royal College of Art

The Royal College of Art (RCA) is seeking an outstanding practitioner, educator and researcher in Ceramics & Glass to join the School of Arts & Humanities. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a world-leading postgraduate art and design environment committed to critical practice, innovation and excellence in learning and research.

We are looking for a recognised practitioner with an active international profile whose practice and research will enrich the MA Ceramics & Glass programme and the wider School. The successful candidate will demonstrate enthusiasm for working closely with students and colleagues, bringing energy, generosity and intellectual curiosity to teaching, research and academic citizenship.

The role involves supporting MA and doctoral students through tutorials, lectures, workshops, seminars and critiques, teaching from and through your own research and practice. You will contribute to curriculum development, help pioneer innovative teaching approaches, and participate fully in the collaborative and interdisciplinary culture of the College.

You will maintain an ambitious research profile, producing outputs of at least 3★ REF quality, contributing to the RCA’s research environment and pursuing external funding opportunities and collaborative projects where appropriate.

Key Responsibilities

Learning & Teaching

• Deliver high-quality teaching across MA Ceramics & Glass and related programmes. 
• Provide academic and pastoral support through tutorials and regular feedback. 
• Supervise postgraduate research students (MPhil/PhD as appropriate). 
• Contribute to assessment, curriculum development and innovative pedagogic practice. 
• Engage in cross-school and interdisciplinary teaching activities. 

Research

• Develop and sustain an internationally recognised research or practice profile. 
• Produce research outputs suitable for REF submission. 
• Disseminate research through exhibitions, publications and other appropriate platforms. 
• Contribute to collaborative research culture and funding initiatives. 

Academic Citizenship & Engagement

• Support student recruitment and promote the RCA nationally and internationally. 
• Participate in committees, field trips and academic administration. 
• Develop links with industry and external partners to enhance knowledge exchange. 

Person Specification

You will be a critically informed practitioner with a strong commitment to contemporary ceramics and glass practice, teaching excellence and inclusive education.

Essential requirements include:

• Relevant degree qualification and significant professional practice. 
• Experience teaching and assessing at undergraduate and/or postgraduate level. 
• Ability to supervise Master’s and doctoral students. 
• Commitment to high-quality teaching and positive student learning environments. 
• Awareness of Higher Education quality assurance frameworks. 
• Evidence of, or potential for, 3★ REF-quality research outputs. 
• Commitment to equality, diversity and collaborative working. 

A doctorate, HEA Fellowship, research supervision experience and a track record of research funding are desirable.

The successful candidate will act as a positive ambassador for the Royal College of Art, contributing to its international reputation and vibrant academic community.

Closing Date: 14 Apr 2026

Programme/Department: Academic

Salary: £55,040 to £61,322 per annum pro rata
21 hours per week, maternity cover for up to a year

INFUZE project

Intelligent Mobility Design Centre, RCA

Inspiring Futures for Zero Carbon Mobility – Postdoctoral Design Researcher, Royal College of Art

Would you like to be part of a major collaborative research initiative to help tackle transport’s contribution to the climate crisis? Are you looking to apply your design research experience to a new challenge? Do you thrive on working in an exciting and creative environment committed to making a difference?

Inspiring Futures for Zero Carbon Mobility (INFUZE) is a major £7.8m five-year research grant funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. Working across the Universities of Leeds, Lancaster and the Royal College of Art, INFUZE is seeking to achieve transformative change in how transport works, addressing the climate challenge whilst improving fairness and quality of life. INFUZE is an exciting new collaboration which will work with citizens and businesses to re-imagine our transport systems. The programme will build an increasingly ambitious suite of real-world trials with communities, transport providers and government partners. 

INFUZE seeks a postdoctoral design researcher to provide maternity cover for 6 months minimum and to contribute to our groundbreaking work in transforming urban mobility systems and experiences. This role offers an exciting opportunity to engage in leading trans-disciplinary research and develop innovative solutions to the inclusion and net zero challenges facing twenty first century urban mobility.

The ideal candidate will have:

• Demonstration of at least one of the following 
  • PhD in a relevant field (e.g. design research, service design, mobility design, urban design, transition design)
  • or equivalent level of experience in a different sector 
  • or a Masters degree and significant experience in research projects
• Evidence of producing quality design research outputs relevant to the career stage and discipline. 
• Experience with people-centred and inclusive design

Experience in visualisation, creating impactful design and artwork 

• Experience in designing public exhibitions and events

Closing for applications at 11.59pm on 21 April 2026

Interviews are expected to take place on 29 April 2026

Closing Date: 21 Apr 2026

Programme/Department: Research

Salary: £44,693 to £48,269 per annum
Maternity cover May to November 2026 (full time but part time considered at least 0.6fte)

About the School
 The School of Arts & Humanities brings together fine and applied arts, curating, writing and the history of design. Our work is strengthened by collaborations with internationally recognised theatres, galleries, libraries and museums, ensuring our teaching remains outward-facing, relevant and deeply connected to contemporary cultural and creative practice.

About the Graduate Diploma Programme
 The Graduate Diploma in Art & Design prepares students for Master’s study by developing their critical, discursive and practical capabilities. Students choose a specialism—Communication, Fine Art, Research, Fashion & Textiles or Design—within an interdisciplinary, studio-centred environment aligned with the RCA’s postgraduate ethos.

Across two 15‑week blocks, students progress from themed, structured project exploration into independently driven art and design practice, culminating in a professionally presented digital portfolio.

The Role
 We are seeking a highly committed and reflective educator who can support students across the interdisciplinary programme while teaching from the perspective of their own specialist practice or research.

As Tutor, you will:

• Deliver engaging teaching across lectures, workshops, seminars, crits and studio sessions.
• Support students in developing their practice, thinking, independent learning and portfolio preparation for MA progression.
• Work collaboratively with colleagues on the organisation and delivery of teaching, assessment and programme events.
• Contribute to curriculum discussions and help develop innovative pedagogic approaches.
• Bring your networks, perspectives and contemporary insights to enrich the student experience and programme community.

About You
 You will have:

• A strong, active practice or research profile rooted in contemporary art and/or design.
• The ability to teach and support students across a variety of creative backgrounds.
• Experience of higher education teaching or mentoring, with an interest in interdisciplinary dialogue.
• A commitment to student-centred learning and inclusive pedagogic approaches.
• The energy and enthusiasm to contribute to a dynamic, world-leading academic environment.

While research-active practitioners are encouraged to apply, this maternity cover post prioritises high-quality teaching and student support.

Why Join the RCA?
This role offers an opportunity to contribute to an innovative, ambitious and globally respected institution. You will play a key role in supporting aspiring postgraduate artists and designers at a formative stage of their development, while working within a vibrant and collaborative academic community.

Closing Date: 16 Apr 2026

Programme/Department: Academic

Salary: £55,040 to £61,322 per annum pro rata

Cohort 2 2026/2027

Funding providers: EPSRC and Royal College of Art 

Location: London

Funding for: UK Students

Project Description: 

Our NetZero Futures (NZF) Doctoral Landscape Award is a Fully funded EPSRC scholarship with RCA. The strategic vision of NZF brings together RCA wide Art and Design research within three core areas of research competence at the RCA - Circular Economy, Ecological Digital Citizens, and Robotics and AI which align with the EPSRC Discovery priority of ‘Digital Futures’, and the Mission-Inspired priorities of ‘engineering net zero’, and ‘artificial intelligence’. 

This vision is located within RCA’s strategic research priorities of Climate Crisis and the Circular Economy, and Design & AI, as well as the priority to enhance our doctoral research culture by attracting PhD candidates in fields directly aligned to RCA’s strategic research priorities. 

The RCA has a track record of STEAM teaching and research, fostering an environment where staff and doctoral researchers with backgrounds in art, design, and STEM disciplines, particularly engineering, collaborate. Our community utilises design-led approaches to generate new insights and human-centred solutions for the major challenges of the 21st century. It is in this culture that we will locate our doctoral landscape candidates. 

Please apply to the host Research Areas and make it clear that you are applying for this studentship:  

• The Materials Science Research Centre (MSRC)
• The RCA Robotics Laboratory
• Ecological Digital Citizenship /School of Design 

• Apply for RCA Round 3 : Open: Wednesday 18 March 2026
• Deadline: Wednesday 3 June 2026, 12 noon (UK time)
• Notification of outcome: by 30 June 2026

 Project start date: September 2026 

Mode of study: Full time/Part time 

Funding Details: Fees fully funded

                             Stipend £23,805.00 (Full time)

 For further information about the award, how to apply and for the information webinar, please visit:  https://www.rca.ac.uk/study/apply-to-study/funding-your-studies/funding-for-mphil-and-phd-students/doctoral-landscape-sch-net-zero-futures/

Fair Access and Widening Participation

RCA is encouraging home students from under-representation of particular groups within postgraduate study to apply. 

Closing Date: 03 Jun 2026

Programme/Department: Studentship