Postdoctoral Design Researcher (FTE 0.4) in Dublin
- Salary
- €47,273–€53,925 / year
- Contract
- Contract
- Sector
- Public
- Closes
- 9 Nov 2026
About the Role
The Postdoctoral Design Researcher will play a central role in shaping and delivering research within DesignLabs: Civic, working on DESIGN BRIDGES: Building Research, Innovation and Design Evidence across the UK and Ireland. The role involves balancing academic research with applied design practice, contributing to design-led, collaborative research which supports knowledge exchange, policy learning and generates new approaches to evidencing design’s value as a strategic systems-level capability. The researcher will work in active partnership across the Design Bridges consortium, including with international higher education institutions, and policy, public sector, and cultural organisation partners to facilitate collaborative exploration through co-design workshops, structured dialogue and rapid prototyping. The successful candidate will contribute to research outputs, publications, public engagement activities, and funding development. The role is based within DesignLabs: Civic, a research centre within NCAD, and operates under the supervision of the Head of Design (co-PI of Design Bridges).
Requirements
Essential:
- A PhD (or equivalent professional experience) in design, design research, social sciences, anthropology, public policy, public administration, or a related discipline.
- Demonstrated experience in conducting applied, interdisciplinary, or design-led research.
- 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 public sector professionals, communities, and external partners and stakeholders.
- Evidence of research outputs such as peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, or design-led artefacts.
- Excellent communication and presentation skills, with experience disseminating research.
- Strong interpersonal skills and experience engaging with diverse stakeholders, demonstrating an awareness and commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion practices.
Desirable:
- Demonstrable record of developing successful research funding applications and/or industry or public sector partnerships.
- Experience in developing and applying evaluation frameworks for measuring the impact of applied design research.
- Experience working within public service contexts, with an understanding of system-level challenges and opportunities for design-led innovation.
- Evidence of mentoring or supporting early-career researchers, students, or collaborators.
- Experience leading or contributing to publications, toolkits, or resources aimed at translating research.
Details
Location: National College of Art and Design, 100 Thomas Street, Dublin 8. The staff member will need to be in attendance in-person at project activities across the consortium location, including Dublin, London, Dundee, Cardiff and Belfast. Additional project work can be facilitated remotely.
Contract Type: Specified Purpose Funded Contract
Salary: €47,273–€53,925 per year, pro-rata for 0.4FTE
Closing date: 9 Nov 2026
How to Apply
If you wish to speak to somebody with any questions you may have prior to making an application, you can contact the HR Department at [email protected].
Frequently asked
- What is the salary for this role?
- €47,273–€53,925 per year, pro-rata for 0.4FTE
- What is the closing date for applications?
- 9 Nov 2026
- What are the essential requirements for this role?
- A PhD (or equivalent professional experience) in design, design research, social sciences, anthropology, public policy, public administration, or a related discipline. Demonstrated experience in conducting applied, interdisciplinary, or design-led research. 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 public sector professionals, communities, and external partners and stakeholders. Evidence of research outputs such as peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, or design-led artefacts. Excellent communication and presentation skills, with experience disseminating research. Strong interpersonal skills and experience engaging with diverse stakeholders, demonstrating an awareness and commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion practices.
- What are the desirable requirements for this role?
- Demonstrable record of developing successful research funding applications and/or industry or public sector partnerships. Experience in developing and applying evaluation frameworks for measuring the impact of applied design research. Experience working within public service contexts, with an understanding of system-level challenges and opportunities for design-led innovation. Evidence of mentoring or supporting early-career researchers, students, or collaborators. Experience leading or contributing to publications, toolkits, or resources aimed at translating research.
- Where is the role located?
- National College of Art and Design, 100 Thomas Street, Dublin 8. The staff member will need to be in attendance in-person at project activities across the consortium location, including Dublin, London, Dundee, Cardiff and Belfast. Additional project work can be facilitated remotely.