Reader in Design Innovation (Design Factory)

The Department of Design is part of Manchester School of Art - the 2nd oldest art school in the UK. The Department played a significant part in the recent REF success in Art and Design which was ranked second in the UK for research power with 100% of its research environment and impact rated as internationally excellent (3*) or world leading (4*). The department is renowned for its innovative research and its award-winning pedagogy in collaborative design practice Unit X.

Our ambition is to be internationally recognised for employing design intelligently to address global challenges, whilst seeking to push the boundaries of research and practice-led design and pedagogy, to create the agenda setters of the future. We aim to create a viable future by facilitating responsible cultural, social, material, and technological transformations and we place value on responding to the needs of industry and society to address critical challenges. Our extensive heritage and connection to the creative industries has enabled us to become one of the leading providers of design research and education nationally and internationally.

The Role

We are seeking an ambitious Reader in Design Innovation to contribute to the teaching, research, and future development of our design innovation portfolio. Possessing highly developed research skills, you will support an excellent student experience while conducting innovative research leading to high-quality outputs. Candidates should demonstrate knowledge of challenge-led research agendas and their relationship to design.

Based within the Department of Design, you will contribute to the development and leadership of The Design Factory while pursuing your own research agenda. We are particularly interested in candidates that have a strong track record of high-quality research outputs suitable for submission to the Research Excellence Framework (REF) combined with a track record of successful research grant capture. Experience of developing collaborative research and networking activities as well as expertise in product or service development, design strategy or social innovation would be advantageous.

The Design Factory is an ambitious research initiative that uses design as a driver of innovation. It will apply novel and collaborative research to societal and organisational challenges to maximise innovation for Manchester and beyond. Building upon the outstanding performance in REF2021, it is a strategic investment to accelerate the scale, reach and reputation of design research at the university.

The role of Reader is an academic distinction conferred by the University and post holders are expected to develop their personal distinction in their field and make a sustained and innovative contribution to its advancement through scholarship and research. It is expected that post holders will be working towards a promotion to Professor typically within a period of four to five years.

How to apply

Applications should include a full CV and covering letter indicating your interest in the role and details of how your knowledge, skills and experience match the essential criteria.

For any informal enquiries, please contact Professor Martyn Evans, Faculty Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Arts & Humanities (martyn.evans@mmu.ac.uk) or Shelley McNulty, Head of Department of Design (s.mcnulty@mmu.ac.uk).

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