Call for Research Chair in Design

Design Research Chair: AI in Design Education

The National Institute of Design (NID), an institution with over six decades of legacy in user-centred design research, has re-established its Design Research Chairs. These positions are central to NID's goal of fostering holistic design thinking and utilising comprehensive research, guided by a futuristic vision, to improve the quality of life. Design research is a core part of NID's teaching, and the Chairs will be crucial to generating knowledge and enriching pedagogical experiences across NID's graduate, postgraduate, and PhD programs.

The Context and Urgency
India is leading global AI adoption, yet needs to elevate the specialised expertise, particularly in product development and marketing, where design is central. Current design education faces a critical challenge: integrating AI without diminishing human-centric design values. This Chair will explore the forefront of this intersection, addressing pedagogical shifts, ethical implications, and new creative methodologies enabled by AI.

Focus for the Chair on AI in Design
The Chair will lead a research program organised around four interconnected streams:

1.    Investigate AI's Impact: Research on how AI tools (e.g., generative image models, predictive analytics) influence design thinking, creativity, and the student learning experience.
2.    Develop Future-Ready Curricula: Create evidence-based models to integrate AI literacy and proficiency into design programs across disciplines (e.g., industrial, graphic, UX/UI).
3.    Address Ethical and Societal Implications: Explore the complex issues of bias, ownership, intellectual property, and job displacement that AI introduces to the design profession.
4.    Foster Interdisciplinary Collaboration: Serve as a nexus point, bridging traditional design departments with computer science, ethics, and education faculties.

Appointment of the Chair Holder

Duration:
The duration of the chair will be three years, subject to performance evaluation at the end of each year.

Eligibility:

We invite applications from distinguished academics or accomplished professional practitioners possessing at least 15 years of substantial experience across design, technology, and pedagogy. Candidates must demonstrate an established national or international reputation and the ability to serve as a strategic liaison between NID and key stakeholders in industry, government, and international organisations. 

This position is also open to NID internal faculty members with at least 15 years of service at the Institute, or to those holding the Senior Faculty or higher position.

Emoluments and Facilities:
The selected candidate will receive a monthly honorarium of ₹ 1,55,000, with on-campus accommodation provided, subject to availability.

Internal faculty candidates must fulfil minimum teaching requirements. They will be relieved of other academic and external professional project commitments for the duration of the appointment. Selected faculty will receive an additional 20% of their basic pay, plus dearness allowance (DA), as an incentive.

Selection Procedure:
Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview with a specialised selection committee at NID.

The application should include the following documents:
●     A detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV) along with a Portfolio demonstrating relevant research, professional practice, projects, publications and other significant achievements relevant to the proposed Chair.
●     A Statement of Research Intent, outlining the proposed research agenda, scope, methodology, and expected outcomes for the three-year tenure of the Chair.

Call for Research Chair in Design

Design Research Chair: "Design for Agritech in India"

The National Institute of Design invites applications for the prestigious Research Chair in "Design for Agritech in India". This initiative seeks to bridge the gap between theoretical academic innovation and practical, sustainable agricultural solutions. The Chair will place the farmer and their specific ecological context at the centre of the innovation process and move toward a deeply participatory, human-centred design approach.

The Chair will integrate ethnographic studies and on-field diagnostics with robust design and technology principles to develop tools and systems tailored to the diverse needs of smallholder Indian farmers. By leveraging "Design in India" as a catalyst, the project aims to set new benchmarks in indigenous agricultural practices and quality standards.

Core Mission and Objectives
The primary mission of the Research Chair is to drive innovation in Agritech by ensuring technology adoption is effective, accessible, and sustainable for smallholder farmers and agricultural communities across India.

Key objectives include:

1.    Contextual Research: Conducting in-depth research on the socio-economic, cultural, and environmental factors influencing technology adoption in various Indian agricultural regions.
2.    Human-Centred Design (HCD) Application: Developing and prototyping Agritech solutions—from digital interfaces and information systems to farm equipment and tools—that are intuitive, reliable, and affordable, following HCD methodologies.
3.    Capacity Building: Mentoring the next generation of researchers, designers, and entrepreneurs working in the Agritech space through specialised courses, workshops, and doctoral research supervision.
4.    Policy and Outreach: Generating evidence-based recommendations for technology policy, and actively engaging with farmers, NGOs, industry stakeholders, and government bodies to facilitate the transfer of research outcomes into practical implementation.

Expected Impact
The Research Chair is expected to make a significant contribution to:

●    Improving Farmer Productivity and Income: By designing solutions that are truly usable and address real-world constraints.
●    Enhancing Sustainability: Promoting the design of resource-efficient and environmentally responsible agricultural practices and solutions.
●    Bridging the Digital Divide: Promoting Agritech solutions that are accessible, regardless of literacy levels or access to advanced infrastructure.
●    Fostering Innovation Ecosystems: Creating a platform for collaboration between design, engineering, agriculture, and social sciences.

Appointment of the Chair Holder

Duration:
The duration of the chair will be three years, subject to performance evaluation at the end of each year.

Eligibility:
Applications are invited from distinguished academic or professional practitioners with at least 15 years of experience in design and technology. Successful candidates must demonstrate a deep commitment to social impact and the capability to lead multidisciplinary teams. 

This position is also open to NID’s internal faculty members who have at least 15 years of service at the Institute and hold a Senior Faculty or higher position.

Emoluments and Facilities:
The selected candidate will receive a monthly honorarium of ₹ 1,55,000, with on-campus accommodation provided, subject to availability.

Internal faculty candidates must fulfil minimum teaching requirements. They will be relieved of other academic and external professional project commitments for the duration of the appointment. Selected faculty will receive an additional 20% of their basic pay, plus dearness allowance (DA), as an incentive.

Selection Procedure:
Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview with a specialised selection committee at NID.

The application should include the following documents:
●     A detailed Curriculum Vitae (CV) along with a Portfolio demonstrating relevant research, professional practice, projects, publications and other significant achievements relevant to the proposed Chair.
●     A Statement of Research Intent, outlining the proposed research agenda, scope, methodology, and expected outcomes for the three-year tenure of the Chair.