Assistant Lecturer In Graphic Design

Assistant Lecturer in Graphic Design (1.0 FTE, Permanent)

Department of Communication Design
School of Design
National College of Art & Design (NCAD), Dublin

Location: Dublin, Ireland
Contract: Permanent, Full-time (1.0 FTE)

Salary: Assistant Lecturer Scale €49,426–€67,223 per annum

Candidates should note that, in accordance with Department of Finance guidelines, appointments will normally be made at the first point of the salary scale. Salary is subject to public sector pay policy and may differ for serving public or civil servants.

Closing Date: 7th of September 2026

About NCAD

The National College of Art & Design (NCAD) is Ireland's leading institution for art and design education. For over 250 years, NCAD has played a central role in shaping creative practice, critical thinking and cultural innovation in Ireland and internationally.

Located in Dublin's historic Liberties district, NCAD is home to approximately 1,900 undergraduate, postgraduate and part-time students across the disciplines of Art, Design, Education and Visual Culture. NCAD is ranked first in Ireland, sixteenth in Europe and fifty-third globally for Art & Design in the QS World University Rankings by Subject (2025), and is a Recognized College of University College Dublin.

At NCAD we believe that art and design can shape society. Through research-led teaching, studio practice, collaboration and experimentation, we prepare graduates to become creative leaders, entrepreneurs, researchers and engaged citizens.

NCAD is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and warmly welcomes applications from candidates of all backgrounds. We particularly encourage applications from groups currently underrepresented within higher education.

The Department

The Department of Communication Design is one of three departments within the School of Design and comprises:

• BA Graphic Design
• BA Illustration
• BA Moving Image Design
• MA Graphic Design

The department is recognized internationally for its commitment to research-led studio education, critical design practice and strong engagement with industry and culture. Students are encouraged to develop ambitious, thoughtful and socially engaged design practices through experimentation, collaboration and rigorous inquiry.

The department maintains extensive partnerships with industry, cultural organizations and international institutions, providing students with opportunities to work on live projects, exhibitions, research initiatives and professional collaborations throughout their studies.

The Role

The Department of Communication Design seeks to appoint an accomplished designer, educator and researcher to the position of Assistant Lecturer in Graphic Design.

The successful candidate will contribute to undergraduate and postgraduate teaching across the Department, with particular responsibility for Graphic Design while also contributing across programmes where appropriate. They will demonstrate an ability to inspire students through contemporary studio practice, critical inquiry and research-informed teaching.

Applicants should possess a strong professional and/or academic profile in graphic design together with expertise in one or more contemporary areas including typography, editorial design, visual identity, information design, digital communication, motion design, interaction design, design research, socially engaged design or emerging technologies.

The successful candidate will contribute to curriculum development, student recruitment, research activity, industry engagement and the broader academic life of the Department, School and College.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities

The successful candidate will:

• Teach and assess across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes within the Department of Communication Design.
• Contribute to curriculum design, module development and programme enhancement.
• Deliver high-quality studio teaching, lectures, seminars, workshops and tutorials.
• Supervise undergraduate and postgraduate research and studio projects.
• Participate in assessment, examination, quality assurance and academic administration.
• Develop research, professional practice and scholarly activity appropriate to the discipline.
• Build and maintain collaborations with industry, cultural organizations and academic partners nationally and internationally.
• Contribute to student recruitment, outreach and public engagement activities.
• Support interdisciplinary teaching and collaborative initiatives across the School of Design and NCAD.
• Participate fully in the academic, strategic and collegial life of the Department, School and College.
• Undertake other duties appropriate to the grade as assigned by the Head of Department.

Selection Criteria

Applications will be assessed on the extent to which candidates demonstrate the following:

Essential

Applicants must demonstrate:

• A significant profile in Graphic Design, Communication Design or a closely related discipline through professional practice, research and/or higher education.
• A postgraduate qualification (normally Master's level or above) in Graphic Design, Communication Design or a related discipline, or equivalent professional standing.
• A minimum of three years' professional and/or higher education teaching experience.
• Evidence of excellence in studio-based teaching and student-centered learning.
• An active research, professional practice and/or publication profile appropriate to the discipline.
• Experience of curriculum development and contemporary approaches to design education.
• Expertise in contemporary graphic design practice and appropriate digital workflows.
• Knowledge of current and emerging developments within graphic design, including digital communication, design for screen and the changing role of AI within design practice and education.
• Excellent communication, organizational and interpersonal skills.
• The ability to work collaboratively within an interdisciplinary academic environment.

Desirable

The following would be advantageous:

• Experience supervising postgraduate research.
• Evidence of securing research funding, industry partnerships or collaborative projects.
• International professional recognition through exhibitions, publications, awards or commissions.
• Experience of developing interdisciplinary or externally engaged design projects.
• Expertise in one or more specialist areas including:
• Typography
• Editorial Design
• Branding and Identity Systems
• Motion Graphics
• Information Design
• Interaction and UX Design
• Creative Coding
• Design Research
• Design for Social Innovation
• Experience integrating emerging technologies, including AI, critically and responsibly within design education.

Closing Date: 7th of September 2026