Part-time Professor (50%) in Experiential learning in Architecture: thinking and acting through constructions and models (ref. ZAP-2023-20)

In the Science, Engineering and Technology Group of KU Leuven, Faculty of Architecture, Department of Architecture, Research unit Design and Engineering of Construction and Architecture (DECA, https://architectuur.kuleuven.be/departementarchitectuur/english/research/research-sections) there is a 50 % academic vacancy in the area of Design Literacy & Pedagogics on the Sint-Lucas Brussels and Ghent campus. This vacancy aims to strengthen the new domain of Design Literacy & Pedagogics which focuses on developing a pedagogy proper to architectural design education that includes for an important part creating and making . It also strengthens the new educational Master in Design Sciences and the research into learning environments.We are looking for internationally oriented candidates with an excellent interdisciplinary research and design record and with educational competence within the field of building technology (structure, construction and sustainability).The structure of KU Leuven combines faculties and research departments in a multi-campus model.The Faculty of Architecture consists of the academic architecture programmes (interior architecture, architecture, urban design and spatial planning and the educational master) on the Sint-Lucas Brussels and Ghent campuses. The Faculty is responsible for organizing educational activities. It is driven by a consciously assembled diversity of practices and is renowned for its future-oriented education that cultivates a freedom of exploration. There are currently 2400 students, of which ca. 300 are international students. www.arch.kuleuven.be The Department of Architecture is a research department which groups research in the fields of architecture, interior architecture, urbanism and spatial planning of researchers of the Faculty of Architecture (Sint-Lucas Brussels and Ghent campus) as well as of the Faculty of Engineering Sciences (Leuven). The Department is an international centre for expertise in these domains and their research is being led by numerous professors and research groups with around 150 (international) doctoral students. www.architectuur.kuleuven.be

Duties

Research

You develop knowledge in the tectonic constructive design and in the realization of, and experiment with, models in relation to tacit knowledge transfer for design practice where creating and making are important components. By means of experiential learning methods like modeling, you help to develop knowledge in construction and structure of architecture projects, but also to acquire essential skills of designing through the characteristics of constructing with materials and products.
This learning activity allows for direct haptic experiences linked to material culture; a learning by acting and tacit knowledge production through constructions and models to develop higher levels of architectural understanding. This vacancy is directly related to research into knowledge management in the design and manufacturing industry. While the focus in this vacancy is mainly aimed on working with real models displaying a high materiality, in some cases computational imaging in function of material based design can also been used. The research will be related to the context of the fablab of the Faculty of Architecture.
Your research connects with the interdisciplinary research vision of the Department of Architecture which strives for intensive collaborations across disciplines, and between theory and design.
Specifically, the following is expected:

• You develop a research programme at an international level and you supervise PhDs.
• You are capable of acquiring competitive funding and develop collaboration with the industry.
• You strive to excel in research and you publish on a high scientific level, hereby contributing to the continued development of the research unit, department and faculty.
• You support national and international collaborations and help to promote and further develop these. You also actively assist in the development of the group s future research projects.
• You are familiar and interact with the professional field and strive through your research for interaction with the design studios in the Faculty of Architecture. You value collaboration with the (architectural) design practice.

Education

You ensure high-quality education within the field of building technology (structure, construction and sustainability) at the Faculty of Architecture. You can set up pedagogical experiments and critical reflection on diverse types of research linking education and practice.
You teach several theoretical courses on Bachelor and Master level, focusing on their application in the design studios and their contribution to a coherent pedagogical curriculum. You can relate to the fablab of the Faculty of Architecture for educational purposes.
You will participate in the renewed Master's programme in Architecture and you will be involved in the Educational Master.
You also contribute to the pedagogic project of the faculty and university through the supervision of master theses. You develop your teachings in accordance with KU Leuven s vision on activating and researched-based education and make use of the possibilities for the educationalist professionalization offered by the faculty and the university.
The teaching assignments are in Dutch and English.

Service

You are willing to take up coordination tasks and leadership within the Department and Faculty of Architecture, in accordance to the stage of your career and your 50% mandate. You will participate in the further development of the architecture programmes and are also willing to take up a role in scientific and societal engagement. Scientific, social and internal services are part of your appointment, e.g. by maintaining close contacts with the professional field of (interior)architects and engineers with an exemplary design practice.
You will play an active role in the visibility and image of the department and faculty for new students and the broader professional field. This can be achieved through participation in public performances, open days, introduction sessions and so on.

Profile

We are looking for internationally oriented candidates with an excellent interdisciplinary research record, competence in academic management and education, who interact with the professional field. The successful candidate will be part of a university that is systematically highly ranked for research and education quality by independent accreditation committees.
You have a master s degree in Architecture, Engineering Sciences: Architecture or equivalent. You have a PhD in Architecture (or in a related discipline) with a topic related to the intended field of research and education. Design experience as architect and/or engineer is recommended. Experience in architectural/ engineering design practice or a portfolio showing collaboration on specific building projects is appreciated. For this function we favour candidates with knowledge of architectural design and with experience in constructive building.
You have demonstrated skills and expertise in the design of building structures and knowledge constructing for adequate implementation in architectural solutions.
You have a strong research profile with a scientific or practice-driven background. You are familiar with architectural designing and contemporary trends in architecture. The quality of your research is proven by leading publications and/or built project work, with international (research/design) experience and impact.
You have demonstrable qualities related to academic education. Teaching experience is a clear advantage.
You possess organisational skills, leadership capacities within a university context and have a cooperative attitude.
Proficiency in English is required at the start of the employment. The official administrative language used at KU Leuven as well as language used in education on bachelor level is Dutch. If you do not speak Dutch (or do not speak it well) at the start of employment, KU Leuven will provide a language training.

Offer

We are offering part-time (50%) employment in an intellectually challenging environment. KU Leuven is a research-intensive, internationally oriented university that carries out both fundamental and applied scientific research. Our university is highly inter- and multidisciplinary focused and strives for international excellence. In this regard we actively work together with research partners in Belgium and abroad and provide our students with an academic education that is based on high-quality scientific research.
The Faculty of Architecture is committed to practice-oriented academic teaching in a university setting. Its inspiration is artistic, leading to critical, innovative and path-breaking thinking. There is room for dialogue and debate and the international dimension is ever present.
As member of the Faculty of Architecture, you will work on the Sint-Lucas Campus both in Brussels and in Ghent. Your main workplace is determined by mutual agreement. The Department of Architecture is active in the locations Brussels, Ghent and Leuven.
Depending on your record and qualifications, you will be appointed to 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 5 years; after this period and a positive evaluation, they are permanently appointed (or tenured) as an associate professor.
KU Leuven is well set to welcome foreign professors and their family and provides practical support with regard to immigration & administration, housing, childcare, learning Dutch, partner career coaching, & To facilitate scientific onboarding and accelerate research in the first phase a possible starting grant of 110 000 euro can be offered to new professors without substantial other funding, appointed for at least 50%.

Interested?

For more information on the contents of the job, please contact:- Prof. dr. Rajesh Heynickx, vice chair of the Department of Architecture, email: rajesh.heynickx@kuleuven.be- Prof. dr. Yves Schoonjans, dean of the Faculty of Architecture, email: yves.schoonjans@kuleuven.be- Prof. dr. Monika Rychtarikova, Contact person for DECA, Department of Architecture, email: monika.rychtarikova@kuleuven.be
If you have problems submitting your application online, please contact solliciteren@kuleuven.be. Add to your application the following documents (more information is available on the KU Leuven job site):- your biosketch in which you indicate your added value as an academic for research, education and service to society of your past career and of your future activities (maximum 2 pages);- a file on your five most important publications or realizations;- an extensive cv including a full publication list and if applicable a portfolio of your architectural projects or other activities relevant for the vacancy;- your research plan with focus on the development of your research line and research team in relation with the colleague-researchers of the entity of employment (maximum 5 pages);- your vision on academic education and its organization (maximum 2 pages);- your contribution to society by outreach and public communication on science and technology, internal representation in boards and councils and service activities directly in relation to your developed expertise (maximum 1 page);- your vision on leadership (maximum 1 page).

KULeuven is committed to creating a diverse environment and is therefore an equalopportunity employer. It explicitly encourages candidates from groups that arecurrently underrepresented at the university to submit their applications.

KU Leuven places great importance on research integrity and ethical conduct and will therefore ask you to sign an integrity statement upon appointment.

You can apply for this job no later than September 28, 2023 via the online application toolKU 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.