Post Title: Postdoctoral Researcher in Regenerative and Circular Design Futures
School/Unit: Circular and Regenerative Design Lab
Post Duration: Specified Purpose Funded Contract linked to Targeted Enhancement Funding until September 2028
Grade: IUA Post-Doctoral Researcher Level 1
Reports to: Head of Circular and Regenerative Design Lab
Salary: NCAD IUA Post Doc Researcher Level 1 Point 1 - 47,273 - 53,925 per annum*
- Candidates should note that as per Department of Finance guidelines, entry will be at the first point of the salary scale and the rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with government pay policy. Candidates should note that different pay and conditions may apply if, immediately prior to appointment, the appointee is a serving civil or public servant.
Annual Leave:Annual Leave will be 25 working days per annum. This leave is exclusive of public holidays.
Hours of Attendance: Working hours will be 35 hours per week (net of rest breaks).
Location: This position is based at NCAD, 100 Thomas Street, Dublin
Role Purpose:
This role is a specified purpose role funded by the Targeted Enhancement Fund (TEF), this funding is time-bound and the objectives of the funding are to:
Provide targeted support for initiatives that are critical to the strategic development of NCAD.
Contribute towards enhancement initiatives that will strengthen the performance of NCAD.
To consolidate NCAD's position in the higher education landscape.
Facilitate the development and/or continuation of initiatives that further national policy and priorities.
Background
NCADs Design Labs are a series of collaborative, design-led research spaces focused on the positive impact that applied design research can have on societies, cultures, economies, and environments. As a collective of researchers and designers, the Labs work across disciplines and in collaboration with diverse stakeholders to address complex challenges and support positive change through design.
NCAD is launching two new cross-college research labs. These new research units will further strengthen NCADs research capacity, enable interdisciplinary collaboration, and support the strategic ambitions of the College.
The Circular and Regenerative Design Lab, scheduled to formally launch in May 2027, will use the transformative potential of design to reimagine materials, products, services, and systems in support of a circular and regenerative economy.
Circular and regenerative design is a core, cross-cutting topic within NCAD - and one that is continually gaining relevance and momentum with staff and students alike. From medical devices, product design, textiles, visual communications and fine art - various departments and disciplines are already actively working with circular and regenerative principles, integrating theory into taught practice, and developing research partnerships and proposals that speak to this theme.
The Circular and Regenerative Design Lab will act as a collaborative research platform that connects and supports these initiatives - where existing work can be housed and developed, and where new ideas, partnerships and funding opportunities can be collectively imagined and brought to life.
The Lab will bring together researchers, designers, students, industry partners, and wider stakeholders around a shared set of research questions and a portfolio of innovative action-research projects that respond to circular and regenerative design challenges.
Core topics within the Circular and Regenerative Design Lab may include;
Designing products and materials for emotional and physical durability
Designing products and materials for cyclability
Designing products and materials for minimal waste
Exploring design approaches that contribute to ecosystem restoration, biodiversity enhancement, and climate resilience
Designing business models and product-service systems to drive sufficiency and resource efficiency
Integrating circular and regenerative design strategies in policy making
Note, the below statement acts as a holding statement - this should be shaped after the initial scoping and development phase, and once the core vision and priorities of the Lab have been collaboratively developed with internal and external stakeholders.
Role Description
During the initial phase of the appointment, the Postdoctoral Researcher will work closely with the appointed Lab Lead and play a key role in establishing and strategically developing the Circular and Regenerative Design Lab in advance of its formal launch in May 2027. Working closely with relevant NCAD researchers, stakeholders, and partners, the postholder will undertake a series of scoping, research, and engagement activities with internal and external stakeholders to inform the Labs vision, structure, partnership strategy and research agenda.
Following the Lab's launch, the Postdoctoral Researcher will work closely with the Lab Lead and extended research team to proactively identify funding opportunities, shape and build research proposals and secure collaborative partnerships that align with the strategic aims of the Lab and further NCADs wider research ambitions.
Finally, as research funding and partnerships are secured, the Postdoctoral Researcher will play a central role in delivering the Lab's research programme. This involves balancing academic research with design practice, contributing to design-led projects in interdisciplinary settings and generating evidence of their impact through research and evaluation. The researcher will collaborate with stakeholders across industry, government, technology, academia and civil society, to co-design, prototype, and evaluate design-led interventions, while disseminating impact through research outputs, publications, events, and public engagement.
This position provides an opportunity to advance and apply expertise in design for regenerative and circular economies within an interdisciplinary environment. Based in the Circular and Regenerative Design Lab, a newly established research centre at NCAD, the Postdoctoral Researcher will work under the supervision of the Lab Lead, and together with the wider Research team.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
Research and Scholarship
Contribute to the establishment and strategic development of the Circular and Regenerative Design Lab under the direction of the Lab Lead, by undertaking a series of scoping, research, and engagement activities with internal and external stakeholders to inform the Labs vision, structure, partnership strategy and research agenda.
Propose and develop research projects based on own expertise which align to the thematic and strategic concerns of the Lab
Lead and execute a specified programme of design-led research and scholarship under the direction of the Lab Lead
Support the identification of funding opportunities and contribute to the preparation of competitive research grant proposals and collaborative funding applications
Contribute to the conceptualisation, development, and delivery of funded research projects within the Circular and Regenerative Design Lab.
Lead defined work packages or project strands, ensuring high-quality design research outputs, delivered on time and within scope.
Applied Design Research
Lead and contribute to applied design projects, operating as a senior design practitioner.
Provide design direction and methodological guidance across projects, ensuring rigour, ethical integrity, and adherence to circular and regenerative principles.
Support project planning, scheduling, and coordination of activities within applied design projects.
Facilitate co-design and participatory processes with internal and external stakeholders across industry, government, technology, academia and civil society.
Supervise and mentor research assistants, designers, and postgraduate researchers and students engaged in project work, where appropriate
Impact Evaluation and Dissemination
Contribute to the development of frameworks and approaches for evaluating and measuring the impact of circular and regenerative design interventions in various contexts.
Prepare peer-reviewed publications and contribute to project report writing to relevant funders, partners and government agencies as necessary.
Present research findings and project insights at local, national, and international venues, including community forums, academic conferences, and policy workshops.
Team and Institutional Contribution
Actively contribute to team meetings, workshops, and knowledge exchange activities, fostering a collaborative and innovative research culture.
Mentor, support and oversee the work of junior researchers, research assistants, and postgraduate students within the Circular and Regenerative Design Lab.
Lead and contribute to the preparation of research grant proposals.
Engage in professional development opportunities to maintain and expand expertise in circular design research innovation.
Contribute to broader research, scholarship, and dissemination activities within NCAD DesignLabs and the institution.
Carry out administrative work related to your programme of research.
Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the relevant Lab Lead.
Selection Criteria
Selection criteria outline the qualifications, skills, knowledge, and experience required to successfully fulfil the responsibilities of the post. Applications will be assessed on how well candidates meet these criteria.
Essential:
A PhD (or equivalent professional experience) in design, design research, circular design, circularity or sustainability, environmental studies, social sciences, industrial ecology, or a related discipline.
Demonstrated experience in conducting applied, interdisciplinary, and/or design-led research.
Experience working within supply chain / sector contexts and circular and sustainable transitions, with an understanding of system-level challenges and opportunities for design-led innovation across materials, products, business models and policy.
Proven ability to plan, manage, and deliver research projects to completion.
Strong skills in qualitative and quantitative research methods, evaluation, and evidence generation.
Ability to work collaboratively with multidisciplinary teams, including private and public sector professionals, communities, and external partners and stakeholders.
Evidence of research outputs such as peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, reports or design-led research artefacts.
Excellent communication and presentation skills, with experience disseminating research to academic and non-academic audiences.
Strong interpersonal skills and experience engaging with diverse stakeholders, demonstrating an awareness and commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion practices.
Desirable:
Demonstrable experience and record of developing successful research funding applications and building collaborative partnerships with industry, public sector or community organisations.
Experience in developing and applying evaluation frameworks for measuring the impact of applied design research and innovation.
Evidence of mentoring or supporting early-career researchers, students, or collaborators.
Experience leading or contributing to publications, toolkits, exhibitions and design artefacts, or resources aimed at translating research into practice.
Experience contributing to knowledge exchange or public engagement activities that communicate research to non-academic audiences.
Proficiency in relevant design or research tools (e.g. Adobe Creative Suite, Figma, Miro).
** A panel may be formed for this position**
Closing Date: 25th August 2026
