Vacancy
The vacancy for Architecture for Societal Transitions seeks to anchor societally aware design and research within the architecture program, as well as deepen and expand the research into architectural design and socio-cultural as well as spatial methods. The field of architecture is inevitably evolving in response to a broad range of societal challenges e.g., demographics, cultural diversity, climate, and health-related or environmental changes. The candidate for this position will be working towards a research-oriented framework covering strategies for a flexible, open, fair and diverse building culture that allows for different ways of life and individual appropriation. The candidate’s research and design teaching experience should demonstrate in-depth expertise in at least one central research aspect in the field, such as community engagement, participatory approaches, demographics, migration, and various forms of ownership and co-creation. The scale can vary from material processes and buildings to the urban perspective and development on a regional, national and international level. The preferred candidate has an intimate knowledge of teaching architectural and design methodologies and is familiar with methods from related disciplines that enable societally and future-oriented architecture.
Position
You will contribute to the University of Antwerp’s three core tasks: education (40%), research (40%) and services (20%). Your role also includes organisational and managerial aspects.
Education
- You will provide high-quality education in the area of Architecture for Societal Transitions.
Your teaching duties will comprise 24 ECTS per year, consisting of courses both at the Bachelor’s and Master’s level, including research methodologies, research workshops and a graduation studio or thesis.
- You will play a role in developing activating, student-centred and competence-driven programme components and study programmes.
- You will supervise students and their Bachelor and Master dissertations.
Research
- You will expand high-quality scientific research in the area of Architecture for Societal Transitions, with a particular focus on innovations in the process and methods of design and society.
- You will initiate new lines of research built on your own research experience and coordinate the progress of scientific research projects. You will also participate in ongoing research programmes.
- You will acquire and manage national and international research funding.
- You will develop an international scientific network.
- You will supervise PhD students and postdoctoral researchers.
- You will publish in international journals and specialist literature on design methods and innovative design strategies.
Services
- You will play a role in the provision of both academic services and service to society, within the institution and externally. You will participate in student recruitment, boards and committees, popular science communication, and similar services.
Organisation and leadership
- You will have coordinating responsibilities in the areas of education, research and/or service provision, and you will contribute to policy.
- Your leadership style will be motivating and coaching. You will be attentive to your employees’ growth, development processes as well as their wellbeing.
Profile
- You hold a doctorate degree (PhD) in the field of Architecture, or in a related discipline, demonstrating your expertise in architectural research and methodology.
- You can demonstrate several years of postdoctoral experience (or equivalent).
- You can demonstrate experience in developing studies on societies and open architecture. Experience with participatory design will be favourably assessed.
- Experience in acquiring research funding will be favourably assessed.
- Your research qualities are in line with the faculty and university research policies.
- You have established an excellent research portfolio.
- Relevant experience in the design practice and/or a strong connection with and reputation in the professional field is considered favourably.
- Your teaching competencies are in line with the University of Antwerp’s educational vision.
- You are motivated to develop your teaching skills further through the professionalisation opportunities available.
- If you do not speak Dutch, the administrative language of the university, you should be willing to obtain a CEFR B2 level of proficiency in Dutch. As soon as you take on teaching duties as a programme component coordinator, you should be able to demonstrate a CEFR C1 level of proficiency in the language of instruction. The University of Antwerp supports international staff members through an integration trajectory and offers tailor-made language coaching in compliance with Flanders’ statutory language regulations.
- You demonstrate leadership potential and organisational skills.
- You act with attention to quality, integrity, creativity and cooperation.
