Lead Technical Instructor in Future Materials

• Role: Lead Technical Instructor - Future Materials - Maternity cover
• Duration: Maternity cover (12 months FTC)
• Location: London - Onsite, Kensington Campus

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced, adaptable, and highly motivated individual to manage the Sculpting, Mould Making, Casting and Bio Materials Department at the Royal College of Art. The department consists of two separate workshops, one specialising in Sculpting, Mould making and Casting for Art Fabrication and Product Development, the other a Bio Material laboratory, both unified by their forward-thinking approach to materials.

You will be an expert in the areas of sculpture, moulding, casting and art production, serving as the definitive source of knowledge in these areas, as well as leading a small multidisciplinary team of technical experts with wide-ranging specialisms. This role seeks to continue to support this team to further develop the strong culture of positive interdisciplinary collaboration across the RCA and lead in supporting student, staff and research projects within these specialisms.

Location

The RCA Kensington Campus, beside the historic Royal Albert Hall and Kensington Gardens.

What are we looking for?

We are looking for someone who thrives in a fast paced environment and is passionate about problem solving through hands-on teaching and learning. The ideal candidate will have:

• Experience managing and administering for the effective day-to-day operations within a similar workshop space.
• A strong background and technical expertise in either sculpting, mould making, casting, silicones and resin, and composite materials, with a deep commitment to supporting experimental and practical work across a diverse range of materials and processes.
• Experience providing highly skilled technical assistance, guidance and instruction for a wide variety of making processes to support complex project development.
• The ability to motivate, lead and line manage a small team of dedicated technicians to ensure the effective provision and availability of specialist equipment, processes and work areas.
• An interest in Biofabrication and technologies, and the future of material development.
• A forward-thinking approach, with a focus on innovation and the continued support of the technician's advancement in these specialist areas.
• A commitment to high-quality outcomes for both staff and students and a passion for experimental work and collaborative learning.

What will the job involve?

This role is based onsite in a specialist resource we call the Future Materials Workshops at the RCA's Kensington campus. It involves the day-to-day management of the space, including the line management of a small technical team. You will be an expert in the field of moulding and casting with extensive knowledge in sculpting, art fabrication and production. The role will require you to be responsible for ensuring the effective provision and availability of specialist equipment and work areas to support academic delivery, student learning, research, and knowledge exchange. The role requires planning, organising, and delivering high-level technical instruction, demonstrations, and guidance, while also supporting and managing technicians to do the same. You will take an active lead in maintaining and improving health and safety standards, ensuring best practices are consistently applied.

Administrative responsibilities include budgeting, purchasing, task allocation, supervision, and performance management through regular reviews and the College's appraisal process.

Working closely with Master's students, you will support independent research and experimental work across a wide range of materials and processes, fostering a culture of peer-to-peer learning and continuous development within a collaborative technical team.

Further Information:

Founded in 1837, the Royal College of Art is the world's largest community of postgraduate art and design students. It is also the oldest art and design university in continuous operation and has been ranked as the world's number one art and design university for a remarkable 12 consecutive years, according to the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2026 – the worldwide survey of academic and industry opinion.

Alastair Hamer – Technical Services Manager – Technology, email