Junior or senior professor (assistant professor, associate professor or (full) professor) materialization, construction and sustainability in design

Let’s shape the future - University of Antwerp

The University of Antwerp is a dynamic, forward-thinking, European university. We offer an innovative academic education to more than 20 000 students, conduct pioneering scientific research and play an important service-providing role in society. We are one of the largest, most international and most innovative employers in the region. With more than 6000 employees from 100 different countries, we are helping to build tomorrow's world every day. Through top scientific research, we push back boundaries and set a course for the future – a future that you can help to shape.

The Interior Architecture programme in the Faculty of Design Sciences has the following full-time vacancy:

junior or senior professor (assistant professor, associate professor or (full) professor) in the field of materialization, construction and sustainability in design

The vacancy seeks to enhance both teaching and research in the domain of materialization and construction of the interior and this from a strong design-oriented focus and with special attention to sustainability. The position aims on the one hand to strengthen and broaden the technical and tactile dimension of interior architecture. On the other hand it aims to sharpen the profile of the interior architect, capable to formulate future-oriented answers to interior issues based on a strong ethical concern. The candidate for this position promotes and monitors a critical attitude towards the impact of interior architecture on the environment throughout the interior architecture curriculum.   

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 materialization, construction and sustainability with focus on the interior. You monitor the theme of sustainability in the broadest sense throughout the Interior Architecture-curriculum.
• Your teaching role (40%) will evolve along with the study programmes. You teach materials, construction and sustainability and lead a design studio in the bachelor and master’s track. In addition, you participate in the supervision with regard to construction and materialization in various design studios in the bachelor’s track and this from a sustainability perspective.
• You implement new insights in education and ensure a systematic structure of this knowledge domain in the study program.
• 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 construction, materials and sustainability from an interior perspective.
• You will initiate new lines of research 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 publish in international journals and specialist literature.
• You have a relevant international scientific network.
• You will supervise PhD students and postdoctoral researchers.

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 boards and committees, popular science communication, and so on.

Organisation and leadership

• You will accept 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 and development processes.

Profile

• You hold a PhD in the field of interior architecture, architecture, engineer architecture, engineering science or equivalent.
• Postdoctoral experience (or equivalent) is a plus.
• You can demonstrate from your experience or research plan that you have a strong interest in or affinity with the domain of interior architecture.
• Affinity with design practice is recommended.
• You have built up an excellent research file as junior or senior researcher, with output in the areas of construction, material knowledge and sustainable design. You can present experience in setting up and conducting research projects in the relevant field. Experience with acquiring funding is a plus.
• Your research qualities are in line with the faculty and university research policies.
• Your teaching competences 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.  You already have an affinity with design-oriented education.
• You demonstrate leadership potential and organisational skills.
• 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 act with attention to quality, integrity, creativity and cooperation.

What we offer

• We offer a full-time appointment as a member of the senior academic staff (Dutch: Zelfstandig Academisch Personeel, ZAP). The level of your appointment (lecturer, senior lecturer, professor or full professor) is determined on the basis of your professional experience and academic qualifications. Junior ZAP members are usually offered temporary appointment as a tenure track assistant professor for five years, which is then followed by permanent appointment as a associate professor. Appointment as an associate professor or higher leads to permanent appointment (tenure) after a maximum of three years. A favourable performance appraisal is always required for permanent appointment.
• We offer, after a positive evaluation of a PhD project you conducted, an attractive starter package consisting of a four-year PhD project and €15 000 of consumables to boost your research from the start of your employment at the University of Antwerp. 
• Your gross monthly salary is calculated according to the pay scales for senior academic staff.
• You will receive ecocheques, Internet-connectivity allowance and a bicycle allowance or a full reimbursement of public transport costs for commuting.
• The planned start date is 1 February 2025 or as soon as possible after that date.
• You will do most of your work at City Campus in a dynamic and stimulating working environment.
• Find out more about working at the University of Antwerp here and discover all the other benefits.

Want to apply?

• You can apply for this vacancy through the University of Antwerp’s online job application platform up to and including 7 October 2024 (by midnight Brussels time). Click on 'apply', complete the online application form and don’t forget to include the following documents:
  • your motivation letter
  • the completed job application appendix for ZAP,
  • your academic CV,
  • your research plan and
  • your education plan.
• The selection committee will review all of the applications as soon as possible after the application deadline. As soon as a decision has been made, we will inform you about the next steps in the selection procedure. If you are invited to the selection interview, you will also be asked to propose a topic for a four-year PhD project and a date will be agreed for participation in an assessment centre.
• If you have any questions about the online application form, please check the frequently asked questions or send an email to jobs@uantwerpen.be. If you have any questions about the job itself, please contact programme chair prof. dr.ir.-arch. Els De Vos via els.devos@uantwerpen.be

The University of Antwerp received the European Commission’s HR Excellence in Research Award for its HR policy. We are a sustainable, family-friendly organisation which invests in its employees’ growth. We encourage diversity and attach great importance to an inclusive working environment and equal opportunities, regardless of gender identity, disability, race, ethnicity, religion or belief, sexual orientation or age. We encourage people from diverse backgrounds and with diverse characteristics to apply.