Research Associate (0.5FTE - 1 year fixed term contract)

The Royal College of Art invites applications for a part-time Research Associate to join CirculAI Fashion, an ambitious research project within the AI-Design Lab (AiDLab)—a major collaboration between the Hong Kong Polytechnic University and the RCA, funded through Hong Kong’s InnoHK initiative. AiDLab brings together world-leading expertise in design, artificial intelligence and innovation to address complex global challenges across three core programmes:

1. AI in Fashion Design
2. AI in Textile and Apparel Quality Control
3. AI in Ergonomic Design

CirculAI Fashion focuses on developing an innovative AI tool to support global fashion brands in reducing their environmental footprint. By integrating AI with technical data across a garment’s lifecycle, the project aims to enable design teams to make intelligent, sustainable design decisions and support the transition towards circular fashion systems.

The Role

Working closely with the Principal Investigator, the Research Associate will contribute to high-quality, collaborative research that advances both academic understanding and industry practice. Key responsibilities include:

• Reviewing state-of-the-art circular design guidelines and tools.
• Developing a circular design training framework to support the research team and technical experts in training the AI model.
• Liaising with industry partners to collate essential datasets.
• Conducting user-centred research to inform model development.
• Preparing reports and communicating research findings to project partners and the funder.
• Supporting project meetings and contributing to a strong, ethical research culture.
• Ensuring rigorous documentation and dissemination of project outputs.
• Upholding confidentiality, health and safety standards, and data protection requirements.

Person Specification

Essential:

We are seeking applicants who hold (or are close to completing) an MA or MRes in fashion or textile design, textile engineering, textile/fashion supply chain management, materials science and engineering, or a closely related field. Candidates should bring:

• Experience within industrial textile & fashion supply chains.
• Knowledge of circular design methods, materials, processes & technologies.
• Understanding of qualitative and quantitative research methods for identifying user needs.
• Awareness of research ethics, permissions, & user-centred research processes.
• Strong communication, writing & presentation skills.
• A collaborative, proactive mindset with strong interpersonal skills.
• Flexibility, creativity and confidence in problem-solving.
• Awareness of workplace risks and relevant health & safety considerations.

Desirable:

• Experience teaching at undergraduate or postgraduate level.
• Experience leading independent research.
• Experience working on HE/industry collaborative projects.
• Knowledge of materials experience theory and methods.

Please see information pack for more details of this exciting new role.  

The role is available from January 2026 for a duration of 12 months and is based in Battersea working 17.5 hours per week (0.5FTE)

Closing for applications: 11.59pm on Sunday 4 January 2026

RCA Benefits available here: https://www.rca.ac.uk/more/work-at-the-rca/staff-benefits/

The Royal College of Art (RCA)  aims to foster an inclusive culture which promotes equality, values diversity and maintains a working, learning and social environment in which the rights and dignity of all its staff and students and stakeholders are respected. 

We recognise the broad range of experiences that a diverse staff and student body brings and how this  strengthens our research and enhances our teaching. In order for RCA to remain a world-leading institution we are committed to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) principles throughout all of our processes, from application through to appointment.

Please tell us if you need any assistance in applying or if you need the information in a different format.

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