Job Description

Tutor (Research) - Contemporary Art Practice

School of Arts & Humanities, Royal College of Art

Grade 9 | 0.5 FTE | Permanent

The Royal College of Art (RCA) is the world's leading university of art and design, dedicated to advancing education, research and knowledge exchange in the creative and cultural industries. We are seeking an outstanding practitioner and researcher in

Contemporary Art Practice (CAP)

to join the School of Arts & Humanities as a

Tutor (Research)

. This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to a globally influential programme at the forefront of critical art practice, research, and pedagogy.

About the School of Arts & Humanities

The School provides transformative learning experiences across postgraduate degrees from MA to PhD, integrating traditional and contemporary studio-based practices with innovative approaches in the humanities, fine and applied arts. We foster a culture of intellectual curiosity, critical debate and peer-to-peer learning, delivered by a community of expert researchers and practitioners. Our students collaborate across the School, across the RCA, and with London's leading cultural institutions, developing work that responds to contemporary global, social and ethical dynamics. Graduates from the School go on to lead influential careers internationally, shaping creative practice, cultural institutions, and critical discourse.

About Contemporary Art Practice

The CAP programme is recognised as the world's leading postgraduate fine art course, known for its post-medium, critically engaged approach to making and receiving art. It offers three distinct pathways--Critical Practice, Moving Image, and Public Sphere--within which students explore diverse media and approaches including installation, film, performance, publications, sound works, VR, writing, and techno-aesthetics.


Our students are deeply engaged with urgent global questions concerning the environment, society, politics and culture. They expand the traditional role of the artist, working as activists, publishers, educators, urban researchers and community organisers. The programme provides a discursive and experimental environment through tutorials, crits, seminars and lectures, encouraging students to situate their practice within the wider contemporary world.

The Role

We are seeking a dynamic academic with a strong research profile and an enthusiasm for teaching to contribute to the ongoing development of CAP and the wider School. You will be expected to:

Deliver research-led teaching through lectures, workshops, seminars and crits. Provide academic, pastoral and technical support to students, including one-to-one tutorials and feedback on their work. Contribute to curriculum design and the development of innovative approaches to teaching and assessment. Engage in the organisation of exhibitions, events, and field trips. Supervise postgraduate academic work, including at Master's and doctoral level. Produce high-quality research outputs (at least 3 REF standard) and contribute to the School's research culture.
Seek funding opportunities and collaborate with colleagues on research and knowledge exchange projects. Participate in student recruitment, external engagement and industry collaborations to promote the RCA and its students.

About You

The successful candidate will hold a first degree in a relevant field and demonstrate:

A strong commitment to high-quality teaching and fostering inclusive learning environments. Experience of devising, teaching, and assessing courses at postgraduate level. Evidence of ability, or clear potential, to produce research outputs of at least 3 REF quality.
The ability to supervise academic work at Master's and/or doctoral level. A commitment to equality of opportunity and to working collaboratively with diverse communities.

A doctorate in a relevant field, or equivalent professional or artistic achievement, is desirable. If supervising research students, you should already have, or be willing to complete, research supervision training within two years of appointment.

Join Us

This is an opportunity to shape the future of contemporary art practice within one of the world's most influential postgraduate environments. If you are an artist, academic, and researcher who thrives on collaboration, critical debate, and working with emerging practitioners, we would be delighted to hear from you.