Lecturer In Applied Materials With Particular Expertise Ceramics

School/Unit: School of Fine Art, Department of Applied Materials

Post Title & Subject Area: Part-Time Applied Materials with particular expertise in Ceramics

Hours of Work: 90 hours per Trimester (Trimester 1 and 2 – 180 in total per academic year), 1 day per week on Tuesdays during term-time only - this excludes Christmas and Easter Breaks.

Post Duration: Fixed-term contract fromJanuary 2025 – May 2028

Grade: Part-Time Lecturer

Reports to: Head of Department

Salary: NCAD Part-Time Lecturer Hourly Rate - €64.56 per hour

The School of Fine Art within the College comprises of 5 departments:

● Department of Painting

● Department of Print

● Department of Media

● Department of Applied Materials

● Department of Sculpture and Expanded Practices

The School of Fine Art supports students to develop highly individual and collaborative ways of seeing, interpreting, and acting visually in the world. Emphasis is placed on visual awareness and artistic analysis, and on acquiring and deploying appropriate skills across a spectrum of fundamental and new materials and media.

School of Fine Art – Department of Applied Materials

Course Philosophy

The reconfiguring of pathways within NCAD has allowed for new relationships to be forged that reflect the evolving nature of art / design practices. The specialists disciplines of ceramics, glass (hard materials) and surface / manipulated textiles and textile processes can equally be understood to have emerged from the ‘craft’ field now are aligned together.

Applied Materials recognizes the desire of the specialist practitioner but also shares a commonality in thinking and methodical approaches. The Applied Materials ‘space’ becomes a central interdisciplinary protagonist that bridges design principles and practices with the theoretical and participatory nature of Fine Art.

Research – The research process (often but not exclusively) is manifested through drawing, encompassing huge and varied approaches. While other disciplines arguably need the same research method, the engagement with finding appropriate materials and processes becomes a key applied materials rationale.

Making - The making process, choice of materials and how it is to be executed, are part of the narrative not outside or parallel to research. The engagement in ‘making’ as opposed to prediction of the ‘made’, can be a way to think, reason and rationalize. The making thinking / thinking making is often a relationship that has intuitive affinity with specific materials and or processes. For such practitioners, making is the theory that creates a discursive space for interdisciplinary approaches. This cross pollination of ideas, sources and influences of the maker’s experiential knowledge is what determines the outcomes, the manifestations of process into object, artefact and or experience connects with maker, author and user.

Context – Context is often where the innovation and ‘newness’ is realized. This is a critical aspect that is constantly reappraised. The making and craftsmanship is bridged by finding relevance, ways to communicate what otherwise could not be conveyed that will reflect societal and culture expression.

The students are encouraged to develop independent enquiry, analysis, judgement and critical self-awareness.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

· The candidate will deliver teaching in Hared materials in the specific area of ceramics and will be expected to enable a range of learning approaches embracing blended teaching and learning, through workshops, crits, seminars, and tutorials

· Support teaching at different year stages form 2nd year-4th year of the BA programme.

· Develop ways in which the medium can be used form the hand built to that of digital processes such as Rhino / 3D printing Laser / Decal

· Actively contribute to the undergraduate delivery and provision of the Hard Materials Pathway in the Applied Materials Programme and in reviews assessment, quality assurance and enhancement.

· Enhance and promote the reputation of our academic provision

· Engage with industry and research partners, leading projects and knowledge exchange activities.

· Undertake such other duties as may be assigned by the 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:

· A significant track record with the Ceramic discipline / professional practice and Higher Education teaching.

· Post-graduate degree in Ceramics or a related field, or equivalent professional experience.

· A minimum of 3 years industry and/or teaching experience.

· Experience of delivering high quality teaching within a higher education environment or equivalent.

· Capacity and enthusiasm for working in an interdisciplinary context within the Department, School and College.

· Proficiency in digital software.

· Experience in ceramic workshop outputs and in maintaining an active interest in related developments within the sector.

· Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

· Strong leadership skills.

Desirable:

· Demonstrable record of developing and maintain intercollegiate links.

· Demonstrable record of developing industry partnerships.

· Commitment to CPD and interest in emerging research, technology and techniques