Research Professor in Design Innovation Full Time NEW

The opportunity

This is an exciting opportunity for an established academic leader, working at the intersection of design, research and real-world innovation, to play a pivotal role in shaping the future research direction of the School of Design at University of the Arts London. The role offers the opportunity to lead and grow ambitious, internationally recognised research in Design Innovation across the University.

As Research Professor in Design Innovation, you will join a globally recognised creative university where design research is used to tackle real-world challenges and shape future thinking across disciplines. Working across Chelsea and Camberwell Colleges of Art, you will lead impactful interdisciplinary research, strengthen the School’s research culture and profile, and help drive collaboration across sectors including health, engineering and industry.

Alongside delivering world-leading research, you will secure major research funding, build strategic partnerships and support the development of PhD students and early career researchers.

Your profile

This is a role for a collaborative and influential research leader who is passionate about creating meaningful societal impact through design innovation.

You will bring an internationally recognised profile in Design Innovation, with a strong track record of leading ambitious and impactful research within a higher education or comparable research environment. Comfortable working across disciplines and sectors, you will have experience building successful partnerships beyond academia — whether with industry, healthcare, engineering, government or cultural organisations — alongside a proven ability to secure significant external research funding and deliver research with real-world impact.

Just as importantly, you will be a collaborative and influential academic leader who enjoys developing others and shaping inclusive research cultures. You will combine intellectual curiosity with strategic thinking, strong communication skills and the ability to inspire colleagues, PhD students and early career researchers alike. A passion for interdisciplinary innovation, mentoring and future-focused research will be central to your approach.

Should you have any questions, please contact ccw.staffrecruit@arts.ac.uk.

We are UAL

University of the Arts London (UAL) generates and inspires the creativity the world needs for a better future. Since 1842, our colleges have been defining creative education. With curiosity, imagination and intent we make work which creates lasting change for people and our planet. London is core to who we are, a place where we meet and share ideas with people from different backgrounds and cultures.

Our creative network influences learning, culture, industry and society on a global scale. Our academics and practitioners deliver creative education and inspire new ways of thinking through research and innovation. We work with students at every level from pre-degree and short courses to postgraduate and online learning, enabling them to build the careers they want. Together, we are a community of makers, thinkers, pioneers and storytellers redesigning the future.

As a University, we are ranked second in the world for Art and Design. We are formed of 6 Colleges with unique histories and identities: Camberwell College of Arts, Central Saint Martins, Chelsea College of Arts, London College of Communication, London College of Fashion and Wimbledon College of Arts. UAL also has 4 Institutes, 5 Research Centres, 1 Pre-Degree School and 2 subsidiary companies delivering specialist activities.

We are a global University, welcoming over 22,000 students and 6,000 staff from 130 countries. We aim to be a university where people can be themselves and feel supported to reach their full potential. That’s why we are proud to hold a Bronze Award from the Race Equality Charter (REC), are members of the Business Disability Forum and Employers for Carers, and maintain our status as a Disability Confident Scheme and Living Wage employer.

Application process

We operate a fair and open anonymous selection process. Thus, you will need to create an account and submit an application through our job board. As part of this, you will need to provide a supporting statement/answer some competency questions to demonstrate your suitability. Our recruitment process involves: Application, Shortlisting, Interview and Assessment, Offer, Onboarding.

We understand the benefits of using AI in work. But, if you are thinking of using it to submit an application, we ask you to think about what value it adds. AI tools tend to lack the personal touch and authenticity we value in candidates. We encourage you to showcase your unique knowledge and skills using your own voice.

If we receive a high volume of applications, the closing day date might close early. We aim to communicate any changes to the closing date with at least 24 hours’ notice. If you have any general questions or have accessibility needs, please refer to our Contact us page.

Candidates are advised to submit applications early.