Postdoctoral Researcher - Circular Design Toolbox Project

Would you like to be part of a major research initiative working at the Centre for Materials Science & Culture to help transform our Circular Design Toolbox (CDT) into a commercially available product ready for licensing, pilots & seed investment?

The Circular Design Toolbox (CDT) project is funded by the UKRI Translation: Proof of Concept 2026 scheme. The Toolbox was developed from the research of the Textiles Circularity Centre into circular design strategies including: 

• Materials Circularity to innovate circular bio-based textiles (resulting in the Circular Materials Design Toolkit and the Maintaining Materials Toolkit);
• Consumer Experience to position these materials in circular experiences that slow down consumption by satiating human wellbeing needs (resulting in the Circular Experience Toolkit); and
• Circular Supply Chains which put these strategies into a relationship in the form of a local supply chain design (resulting in the Circular System Toolkit). 

The overarching objectives will be to:

1. to develop and evaluate one pilot programme with our partners Two Lives London and their supply chain partners
2. produce a set of case studies that would enable the Centre to identify & specify a full commercialisation proposition including an IP licensing framework
3. to develop a minimum viable digital platform prototype to demonstrate scalable CDT delivery.

• The successful candidate must be able to demonstrate at least one of the following:
  • a PhD degree related to circular design innovation in the circular economy, preferably in the area of apparel/textiles; or  
  • equivalent experience in a different sector; or
  • a Masters degree & significant experience in research projects.
• Subject knowledge: Core knowledge in design (industrial, apparel, product); in addition to knowledge in apparel-textiles; circular design innovation and strategies; systems design and related strategies.
• Experience with circular design approaches related to apparel or product design.
• Experience of working in research and research projects, either academic or commercial/industrial in a topic directly related to this area of research.
• Experience with development and facilitation of studies and workshops applying design methods & high levels of interpersonal skills for a range of users (industry, society/consumers, researchers, designers, stakeholders).
• Communications and graphic design skills.
• Evidence of producing at least two outputs in peer reviewed academic journals or one research output independent of PhD supervisor, in a topic related to this area of research
• Demonstrable understanding of good practice in research conduct (including in research ethics, research integrity and handling research data).
• Evidenced flexibility and confidence to tackle a wide range of tasks, with an open, pro-active, creative, & problem-solving approach.
• Evidenced excellent writing, communication, and presentation skills, able to adopt an appropriate style for a range of specialist & non-specialist audiences.
• Evidenced strong interpersonal and team-working skills.

Please see Information Pack for further details.

Closing for applications at 2pm on Wednesday 30 September 2026

Interviews are expected to take place on 12 October 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 & maintains a working, learning and social environment in which the rights and dignity of all its staff and students and stakeholders are respected. 

Please tell us if you need any assistance in applying or if you need the information in a different format. In your message to resourcing@rca.ac.uk include:

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