Research Professor in Design Innovation

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.

About you

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 about the role, please contact Maria Chatzi, Dean of Research and Knowledge Exchange / m.chatzi@arts.ac.uk.

What we offer

To recognise the hard work of our staff and their contributions, we provide a wide range of benefits – please check our careers site/Canvas for further information as conditions and exclusions apply:

▪ 39 days of annual leave and 2 days off to volunteer plus bank holidays
▪ Flexible and Dynamic working options available from the first day
▪ Discounted Medical Insurance including Digital GP service, therapies, in-patient and day-case treatment
▪ Free counselling and advice via our Employee Assistance Programme (EAP)
▪ Sector-leading Equal Parental Leave policy (6 months full pay for both parents) 
▪ Teachers Pension scheme
▪ In-house training and development including apprenticeships and free places on creative courses
▪ Interest free loans on travel and tech, discounts on gym memberships, nursery fees, eye care and much more
▪ Various opportunities to attend student shows and exhibitions

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.