Assistant Lecturer/lecturer In Interaction Design & Programme Lead For MA

Assistant Lecturer/Lecturer in Interaction Design

& Programme Lead for MA Interaction Design

School/Unit: School of Design

Department: Product Design

Post Title: Assistant Lecturer/Lecturer in Interaction Design & Programme lead for MA Interaction Design

Post Duration: Full-Time, Specified Purpose from June 2026 - January 2029

Grade: Assistant Lecturer / Lecturer (subject to experience at Lecturing Grade)

Reports to: Head of Department of Product Design

Salary:

• NCAD Assistant Lecturer - €48,937 - €66,558* per annum
  
• NCAD Lecturer** - €64581 - €103,501* per annum
  

*Candidates should note that as per Department of Finance guidelines, entry will be at the first point of the salary scale and the rate of remuneration may be adjusted from time to time in line with government pay policy. Candidates should note that different pay and conditions may apply if, immediately prior to appointment, the appointee is a serving civil or public servant.

**subject to experience at Lecturing Grade

Location: This position is based at NCAD, 100 Thomas Street, Dublin

Background

The School of Design within the College comprises of 3 departments:

• Product Design (BA Product Design, BA and MA Interaction Design, MSc Medical Device Design and MA Service Design)
• Communication Design (BA Graphic Design, BA Illustration, BA Moving Image Design and MA Graphic Design)
• Design for Body and Environment (BA Fashion Design, BA Jewellery & Objects, BA Textile & Surface Design and MA Circular by Design).

The aim of the School of Design is to create a design culture engaged in ongoing debate on all aspects of design; a culture that thrives on new ideas, new ways of doing things and new areas of exploration. We encourage our students to experiment and take risks in order to carve new aesthetic paths and make technical innovations within, and beyond, their design discipline. We have extensive links with Industry, and students regularly work on live projects within a commercial, social or cultural context. The College seeks to ensure that our design students develop the necessary creative, technical, thinking and interpersonal skills to become highly employable graduates, entrepreneurs and thought leaders.

The role is a specified purpose role which is backfilling staff members who are working on funded projects such as Targeted Enhancement Funded (TEF) projects. The funding for these projects is time-bound

Role Purpose:

The Product Design department has five degree programmes, each of which has a lead who is responsible for oversight and development of the relevant programme. The department has a shared commitment to design for positive impact, interdisciplinary studio-based learning and making. The department team represents a wide range of academic and industry experience.

The successful candidate for this role will operate within the Product Design Department, working as Programme Lead (see appendix one) for the MA Interaction Design. This programme is a 12-month, studio-based taught course, which focuses on the design of digital applications, products and experiences. Led by a human-centred approach, the course brings together candidates from a range of creative and technical fields. Launched over 10 years ago, it was the first programme of its kind in Ireland and has an established track record of supporting graduates to play a leading role in the design and delivery of emerging technology in society.

This role combines both programme leadership and a teaching commitment. As a result, the successful candidate will be required to lead the MA Interaction Design and collaborate with an established and dynamic team of academics in the taught delivery of all aspects of the programme.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

• Actively contribute to postgraduate and undergraduate teaching within the Product Design department with a primary focus on the MA Interaction Design.
• Act as the Programme Leader for the MA Interaction Design programme, including but not limited to course development, examination and assessment, quality assurance and enhancement, plus associated administration. Full duties of a programme leader are found in Appendix One.
• Support the delivery of related content within the School of Design’s undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.
• Enhance and promote the reputation of the School of Design and Department of Product Design by liaising and cooperating with other national and international institutions.
• Ensure that the content of our teaching reflects and meets the requirements of related industries, including regularly reviewing and adapting course content and structure.
• Engage in the student recruitment process, including interviews, selection and assessments as required to ensure an appropriate number and level of student cohort.
• Engage with industry and research partners.
• Contribute to the general administration of the Department.
• Contribute to the academic life of the Department, School and College.
• Contribute to the wider educational community.
• Undertake such other duties as may be assigned by the Head of Department and/or Appropriate Officer from time to time.

Selection Criteria

Selection criteria outline the qualifications, skills, knowledge and/or experience that the successful candidate would need to demonstrate for successful discharge of the responsibilities of the post. Applications will be assessed on the basis of how well candidates satisfy these criteria.

Mandatory Criteria

• A significant track record in Interaction Design in industry and/or Higher Education.
• Post-graduate degree in Interaction Design or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.
• A minimum of 3 years industry and/or teaching experience with a focus on human-centred design for UX and/or digital product design.
• Experience leading academic programmes and/or interaction design related industry teams.
• Experience in developing and delivering high-quality teaching within a higher education environment.
• Commitment to engagement with emerging research, design methods, technology and tools.
• Proficiency in human-centred UX design methodologies and workflows.

Desirable Criteria

• Proficiency in industry-standard design software, including experience in AI tools and workflows.
• Demonstrable record of developing and maintaining partnerships in industry and/or academia.
• Strong, demonstrable commitment to research and international scholarship/professional practice/publication.
• Proficiency in coding and creative technology tools and processes.

Appendix One:

Duties of a Programme Leader

In order to support the administrative requirements of this programme leader role, you will receive a reduction of contact teaching time (60 hours per academic year) which will be added as academic administration to undertake the below duties:

The high-level duties of a programme leader are as follows:

• Oversee all curricular matters related to the programme, including timetabling and the management of modules where appropriate as well as the preparation of documentation for revisions to programme specifications, course offerings,
• Prepare Draft Timetables for each year of the programme.
• Plan and manage the scheduling of the resources required to deliver the programme and the courses therein (this involves identifying such resources as staff, facilities (including rooms) and equipment and other support systems.)
• Oversee all programme assessment procedures, which may also involve liaising with External Examiners. Prepare results for Internal Exam Board Meetings and Chair those meetings. With the assistance of the School Administration team, ensure that these results are then submitted to Student Services and Admissions
• Support the programme team in identifying and addressing academic welfare concerns affecting students registered to the programme, escalating issues as appropriate.
• Provide students with feedback in relation to assessment performance and evaluate performance across a range of modules.
• Collate and respond to student feedback
• Plan and implement an effective induction programme for students
• Convene programme team meetings and support staff in developing content, teaching methodologies and assessment materials
• Manage the quality assurance processes associated with the programme
• Manage the student selection and interview processes, where relevant in collaboration with NCAD Academic Registry
• Work with the Admission office to develop recruitment strategies for the programme as appropriate
• Work with the Head of Department/Head of School to develop industry and sectoral partnerships for the programme
• Each programme has specific tasks relating to recruitment, external stakeholders,
• Undertake any other appropriate duties as may be assigned by the Appropriate Officer from time to time

Closing Date: 28th April 2026