Specialist Technical Instructor - Future Materials, Casting & Composites

ROYAL COLLEGE OF ART; Greater London; On-site; GBP 60,000 - 80,000; Full time

Job summary

A prestigious art and design institution in Greater London is seeking a Specialist Technical Instructor in Casting, Mould Making & Composites. The ideal candidate will offer hands-on technical support, provide guidance and instruction in a dynamic workshop environment, and assist in maintaining workshop facilities. Applicants should possess a strong background in materials, excellent organizational skills, and a passion for experimental work. This is a unique opportunity to contribute to innovative projects and collaborative learning.

Qualifications

• Strong background in prosthetics, sculpting, mould making, casting, silicones, and resins.
• Experience providing highly skilled technical assistance for various making processes.
• Passion for experimental work and collaborative learning.
• Excellent organizational, time management, and planning skills.

Responsibilities

• Offer technical support in casting and composite workshops.
• Advise students and staff on a wide range of materials.
• Maintain and develop workshop facilities, ensuring safety standards.
• Support research and innovation in new technologies and processes.

Job description

About the Role

We are seeking an experienced, adaptable and highly motivated person to provide specialist technical expertise, instruction, demonstration and support in Mould Making, Sculpting, Casting and Composites at the Royal College of Art. The focus of the role is on art fabrication and product development with a forward thinking approach to materials as part of a wider technical resource called the Future Materials Workshops.

Location

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

The Workshop

The Casting and Composites workshop consists of 3 distinct areas –

• Mould making, Casting and Materials (MCM) – A workshop for gypsum based media, selected silicones and alginate, as well as small scale construction. Activities such as painting, varnishing, carving and sanding are also supported.
• The Silicones and Composites room – A clean space for working with non hazardous, sensitive materials and the preparation of mould forms and boxes prior to pouring moulding or casting materials.
• Extracted Workshop – A fully extracted environment for using more hazardous composites and casting materials like epoxy and polyurethane resins, as well as pre‑preg carbon fibre processes.

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:

• A strong background and technical expertise in prosthetics, sculpting, mould making, casting, silicones and resins, 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, demonstration and instruction for a wide variety of making processes to support complex and varied project development.
• A commitment to high‑quality outcomes for both staff and students and a passion for experimental work and collaborative learning.
• Excellent organisational, time management and planning skills with the ability to prioritise as appropriate, especially in times of high demand.
• A keen interest in future‑facing making techniques that bring together a variety of materials, processes and equipment.

What will the job involve?

As a Specialist Technical Instructor in Casting, Mould Making & Composites, you will offer hands‑on technical support in the Future Materials: Casting and Composite workshops. You'll work with and advise on a wide range of materials including but not exclusive to silicones, rubbers, resins, foams, jesmonite, gypsum and cementitious materials, laminates, and pre‑preg composites.

The role includes planning and delivering demonstrations, advising students, researchers and staff with a wide range of experience and ability, and helping them solve creative and technical challenges.

You will assist the Lead Technical Instructor in maintaining and developing the workshop facilities, running, maintaining and installing new equipment, creating learning resources, and ensuring the highest standards of health and safety and best practice among workshop users.

In addition, you'll support the department's research and innovation by identifying new technologies and processes, contribute to teaching and learning projects, and assist with exhibitions and events.

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 11 consecutive years, according to the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025 – the worldwide survey of academic and industry opinion.

Please be aware that the questions within the application form are an important first step in the interview process. We ask you to take time to provide full, detailed responses as they will play a key role in determining whether you progress to the next stage.

We also request that you attach a portfolio of work or link to website outlining your experience.

We acknowledge that AI can be a useful tool; however, these application questions have been selected to showcase the expertise and knowledge you will bring to the role. We value hearing your personal experience and ask that you answer them in your own words to demonstrate your background in this technical field.

Please see the Information Pack for further details of this exciting new role.

If you would like further details or an informal chat about the role, please contact Natalie Murphy – Technical Coordinator, Intelligent Manufacturing & Research Resourcing, via email: [e-mail].

Closing for applications at 11.59pm on 2 February 2026

Interviews are likely to take place on 24 February 2026 with a tour should you wish on 23 February 2026.