Assistant Lecturer in Design – Studio+ (FTE 0.5)

School/Unit: School of Design, Department of Design for Body & Environment

Post Title: Assistant Lecturer in Design – Studio+ (FTE 0.5)

Post Duration: 2 year fixed-term

Grade: Assistant Lecturer

Reports to: Head of Department

Salary: Assistant Lecturer Salary Scale €47,957- €65,246 per annum pro-rata, i.e. €23,978.50 - €32,623 per annum

*Candidates should note that as per Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform guidelines, new entrants to the civil service will be at the minimum point of the scale and the rate of remuneration will not be subject to negotiation and may be adjusted from time to time in line with Government pay policy. Different terms and conditions may apply if you are a currently serving civil or public servant.

Location: This position is based at the NCAD Campus and Grace Gifford Building, 100 Thomas Street, Dublin 8.

**Interviews are expected to be held on Wednesday 20th August or Thursday 21st August 2025**

The School of Design within the College comprises of 3 departments:

● Design for Body and Environment (BA Fashion Design, BA Jewellery & Objects, BA Textile & Surface Design and MA Circular by Design).

● Communication Design (BA Graphic Design, BA Illustration, BA Moving Image Design and MA Communication Design)

● Product Design (BA and MA Product Design, BA and MA Interaction Design, MSc Medical Device Design and MA Service Design)

The aim of the School of Design is to create a design culture engaged in ongoing debate on all aspects of design; a culture that thrives on new ideas, new ways of doing things and new areas of exploration. We encourage our students to experiment and take risks in order to carve new aesthetic paths and make technical innovations within, and beyond, their design discipline. We have extensive links with Industry, and students regularly work on live projects within a commercial, social or cultural context. The College seeks to ensure that our design students develop the necessary creative, technical, thinking and interpersonal skills to become highly employable graduates, entrepreneurs and thought leaders.

Studio+

Studio+ is an optional year between the second and final year of study open to all BA Art and Design students across NCAD allowing them to engage with the world beyond the College.

Studio+ offers a variety of options for students. Students who opt for the Design Bureau work on live commercial, social or community projects and/or undertake approved creative internships. Studio+ can include an Erasmus study exchange with internationally recognised art and design faculties partnered with NCAD. Students also have the option to take modules offered by other Schools within NCAD, and a range of electives offered by the Creative Futures Academy (NCAD, UCD and IADT), as well as Trinity College Dublin electives.

Under the direction of NCAD staff and industry practitioners, students identify opportunities, generate ideas, and make tools for positive industry and/or social change.

The Design Bureau experience is underpinned by lectures, seminars and workshops that enable students to formulate innovative and enterprising, self-initiated concepts and strategies. Exploring and placing students creative practice in the context of their disciplinary field whilst also exploring interdisciplinary approaches relative to the wider creative industries. The Bureau aims to increase student employability, develop their team-working skills, provide them with an interdisciplinary peer network and develop critical thinking ahead of their final year in college and their early post-college career. Key aspects of this role is the coordination of the Studio+ programme for students, support of Real World Projects, co-ordinating live commercial, social and cultural projects within departmental and/or disciplinary teams, working to develop and maintain internship opportunities with industry, and working to develop appropriate Erasmus opportunities for DBE students.

The successful candidate will primarily operate within the School of Design and develop, deliver and coordinate the Studio+ programme, focusing on Design for Body & Environment, as well as contributing to other modules and year groups within the School of Design, and wider College as required.

Principle Duties and Responsibilities

• The Assistant Lecturer will be responsible for the ongoing development, reviewing, coordinating, implementation and delivery of Department of Design for Body and Environment’s Studio+ programme, including module and programme development and design, coordination, delivery, examination and assessment, quality assurance and enhancement and associated administration.
• Support the delivery of related content within the School of Design’s undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.
• Enhance and promote the reputation of the School of Design and Studio+ programme by liaising and co-operating with other national and international institutions.
• Actively contribute to postgraduate and undergraduate teaching programmes across the School of Design in particular within the Studio+ programme.
• Ensure that the Studio+ content and teaching reflects and meet with the requirements of related industries, including regularly reviewing and adapting course content and structure.
• Engage in the student recruitment process including interviews, selection, assessments and examination procedures as required to ensure appropriate number and level of student cohort.
• Engage with industry and research partners, leading commercialisation projects and knowledge exchange activities where appropriate.
• Engage with industry to develop and lead appropriate internship placements for students.
• Engage with Erasmus partner institutions and the Erasmus office to develop appropriate Erasmus placements for students.
• Undertake and publish high quality research and scholarship in your field of expertise/specialist interest.
• Engage in continuing professional development in related subject areas by research, creative practice and other appropriate means of engagement in the sector.
• Proactively engage with developments within the field including changing and developing technology and techniques.
• Contribute to the general academic administration of the Department and School.
• Contribute to the academic life of the Department, School and College and wider educational community. Participate in Department/School/College committees and boards.
• Undertake such other appropriate duties as may be assigned by the Appropriate Officer from time to time.

Selection Criteria:

Selection criteria outline the qualifications, skills, knowledge and/or experience that the successful candidate would need to demonstrate for successful discharge of the responsibilities of the post. Applications will be assessed on the basis of how well candidates satisfy these criteria.

Mandatory:

• A significant track record in Fashion, Textiles and/or Jewellery Design (or a related field) through industry practice and/or Higher Education.
• Post-graduate degree in Design or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• A minimum of 3 years industry and/or teaching experience.
• Experience of delivering quality teaching and learning within an higher education environment.
• Strong, demonstrable commitment to research and international scholarship/professional practice/publication.
• Ability to design, coordinate, deliver and assess a range of modules in and related to the specialist areas of Design for Body and Environment research and professional interest.
• Capacity and enthusiasm for working in an interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary context within the School and College.
• Demonstrable record of developing and maintaining links with industry and educational partners.
• A strong understanding of the creative sector and experience of working with designers from creative communities and/or microenterprises to SME’s, multinationals and representative bodies.
• Strong, demonstrable commitment to research and international scholarship/professional practice/publication.
• Proficiency in industry standard design software.
• Experience and proficiency in working with new design methods, tools and processes, maintaining an active interest in related developments within the sector.
• Analogue and CAD drawing skills.
• Experience of working with emerging digital design technologies.
• Commitment to CPD and interest in emerging research, technology and techniques.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Desirable

• Demonstrable record of developing successful research funding applications.