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

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