PROFESSOR OF ARCHITECTURE - BUILDING DESIGN - RENOVATION/NEW-BUILD & BUILT HERITAGE - DESIGN DIDACTICS

(ref. ZAP-2020-82)

The Science, Engineering and Technology Group, Faculty of Engineering Science, Department of Architecture is opening a part-time vacancy for Senior Academic Staff (ZAP) (50%), in the field of Architectural practices, with an emphasis on the following aspects: (1) building design, (2) renovation/new-build & built heritage, or (3) design didactics. We are looking for motivated candidates with an (inter)nationally recognised and meaningful architecture portfolio through a practice that demonstrates that his/her realisations (buildings, projects, master plans, studies, exhibitions, publications, lectures, etc.) provide insights into and reflect on architecture as a discipline in relation to one of these aspects. The Department of Architecture is responsible for research in the broad field of architecture, i.e. the man-made built environment. Design is central. From theory and history to building technology and construction, from heritage conservation to urban planning, spatial planning and landscape, we have only one goal: excellence. Based on this research, education is provided in the Faculty of Engineering Science in Leuven (Arenberg), and in the Faculty of Architecture (Sint-Lucas Brussels and Ghent campuses). Within the Architecture and Design division in Leuven (Arenberg), you will find yourself in an environment which, based on design and other research, provides design education in the Bachelor and Master degree programmes in Engineering: Architecture, including the Advanced Master's degree in Conservation of Monuments and Sites (RLICC). You will contribute to this design education, and develop a research approach that allows you to evaluate, deepen and update the existing learning trajectory. You have a strong affinity with and passion for (at least) one of the following aspects and a vision of current trends and important challenges related to them: (1) building design: an integrated approach to building aspects (structure, technical equipment, building envelope) within the architectural task; new building techniques, new materials and their innovative use and changing implementation methods; (2) renovation & conservation of built heritage: design approach to dealing with existing buildings, their qualities and challenges (architectural, historical, building physics, structural, functional), and adapting them to current and future evolutions; (3) design didactics: the transfer and acquisition of design knowledge and skills, and the specificity of this within the bachelor's programme in architectural engineering. Your propensity for (at least) one of these aspects may be apparent from your own architectural and/or educational practice (whether or not in engineering firms (1), specialised firms (2) or design schools (3)) or collaboration with them in broader contexts, from experience in supervising design studios, or similar experiences. You are expected to make a far-reaching commitment to our courses in general and their design component in particular: - articulating this design component for either the Bachelor's programme in Engineering: Architecture (aspect 3), or the Master's option in Building Technology Design (aspect 1), or the Master's option in Architectural Design and the Advanced Master's degree in Conservation of Monuments and Sites (aspect 2), - underpinning research and safeguarding the practical relevance thereof, - and developing an international academic network.

Duties Research

We are looking for a person with a nationally/internationally recognised architectural practice, who demonstrates an inquisitive attitude, along with the capacity to academically catalyse this practice and the corresponding insights. Creative practices play a key role in this catalysing process. You strive for interaction with the design studios and design research within the Department of Architecture. You formulate design assignments and thesis studios that embed (design) research within the department's research programme, and offer clearly complementary expertise. You set up academic partnerships both within and outside the department and develop relationships with practice and the relevant business community, both locally and internationally. 

You will be involved in doctorates with a design component, as (co-)supervisor or as a member of the supervisory committee.
You associate existing and new high-quality production from your own practice with research output for the Department of Architecture; this could include prizes, nominations, special realisations and research work in the category Artistic and Design Realisations. Continuous publications and/or exhibitions of our own creative and prospective research work are expected.

Education

You will provide high-quality design education with a clear commitment to the quality of the programme as a whole. The didactic responsibilities include running the design studios as well as providing lectures and seminars. You also contribute to the faculty/university's educational project through the supervision of master theses and/or as a co-supervisor of PhD students. You co-manage the studio teams of teaching assistants and/or visiting professors. You are committed to further questioning, refining, expanding and disseminating the existing didactic concept. You develop your activating and research-based teaching and utilise the options for educational expertise which are provided by the university and the Faculty of Engineering Science. Teaching takes place in Dutch and/or in English.

Service

You are committed to playing a pioneering role in academic management and the further development of the architectural engineering programme. You are prepared to provide internal as well as scientific and community engagement, for example by maintaining close contact with the field of work or membership of advisory committees. In addition, you will play an active role in the image and profile of the department/faculty with regard to existing and new students and the broad professional field. This can be done through participation in public performances, information days, introduction moments and the like. You are also willing to be part of a pool from which the alternating coordinator for the design curriculum as a whole will be recruited. You will maintain a close relationship with the architectural practice.

Profile

An (inter)nationally recognised and meaningful architecture portfolio is an essential basic requirement. You have a master's degree in Engineering: Architecture, or an equivalent degree. A doctorate is not an immediate requirement. Candidates without a PhD are required to obtain a PhD within five years of the appointment.

Teaching experience is necessary, to be substantiated with previously taught subjects. You possess inquisitive design competencies relevant to the field. International experience is an important asset. To demonstrate your research and teaching experience, we ask you to explain your views on research and teaching in relation to 
- the Master's option on Building Technology Design (1),
- or the Master’s option Architectural Design Master and the Advanced Master of Conservation of Monuments and Sites (2),
- or the Bachelor programme in Engineering: Architecture  (3),
and the interaction with subjects and/or design studios, and underpin this with a plan for the next three years.

You have demonstrable organisational and managerial skills and have a cooperative approach to colleagues.

You are also an open-minded advocate for a dynamic department, a competent and forward-looking pedagogue and a bridge builder between practice, education and research on the one hand, and departments, institutions, organisations and communities on the other.
Profiency in English is required.

The official language used at KU Leuven is Dutch. If you do not speak Dutch (or do not speak it well) at the start of the employment KU Leuven will provide language training to enable you to take part in meetings.
Before teaching courses in Dutch or English, you will be given the opportunity to learn Dutch, respectively English, to the required standard.

Offer

We offer part-time employment of 50%.
KU Leuven is a research-intensive, internationally oriented university that carries out both fundamental and applied scientific research. Our Architecture Department focuses on inter/multidisciplinary opportunities and strives for international excellence. To this end, it actively collaborates with research partners at home and abroad, including cooperations in the context of the Raymond Lemaire International Centre for Conservation. It offers its students an academic education based on high-level scientific research.

Depending on your record and qualifications, you will be appointed or tenured in one of the grades of the Senior Academic Staff: assistant professor, associate professor, professor or full professor. In principle, junior researchers are appointed as assistant professor on the tenure track for a period of five years; after this period and a positive evaluation, they are permanently appointed (or tenured) as an associate professor.
Candidates without a PhD are first appointed within the framework of associate academic staff to obtain the PhD.

Interested?

For more information please contact Prof. dr. ir. Bruno De Meulder, tel.: +32 16 32 13 37, mail: bruno.demeulder@kuleuven.be or Prof. ir. Guido Geenen, tel.: +32 16 32 35 99, mail: guido.geenen@kuleuven.be.
For problems with online applying, please contact solliciteren@kuleuven.be.

In 17/09/2020, an information session will be held in Heverlee, from 2 p.m. to 4 p.m.. During this session we will explain the specificities of this part time zap profile and provide tips to prepare a good application. Please subscribe for this information session by 10/09/2020 (https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSdojoOzRRxK_T_donnVHFXo0zQ0wEPiIP2-xpoIPzGiRLrm0g/viewform).

Please enclose a letter of motivation detailing one of the above aspects, as well as your corresponding vision on research and education and a plan for the next three years. You should upload a relevant portfolio of your architecture projects, or refer to an appropriate selection on an existing website. If you have any problems applying online, please email solliciteren@kuleuven.be.

KU Leuven is committed to creating a diverse environment and is therefore an equal opportunity employer. It explicitly encourages candidates from groups that are currently under-represented at the university to submit their applications.

KU Leuvenplaces great importance on research integrity and ethical conduct and willtherefore ask you to sign an integrity statement upon appointment.

You can apply for this job no later than November 15, 2020 via the online application tool

KU Leuven seeks to foster an environment where all talents can flourish, regardless of gender, age, cultural background, nationality or impairments. If you have any questions relating to accessibility or support, please contact us at diversiteit.HR@kuleuven.be.