ABOUT GHENT UNIVERSITY
Ghent University is a world of its own. Employing 15,000 people, it is actively involved in education and research, management and administration, and technical and social services on a daily basis. It is one of the largest, most exciting employers in the area and offers great career opportunities. With each of its 11 faculties and more than 100 departments offering state-of-the-art study programmes that are grounded in research in a wide range of academic fields, Ghent University is a logical choice for its employees as well as its students.
ABOUT THE RESEARCH GROUP THEORY AND HISTORY OF ARCHITECTURE AND URBAN PLANNING
The Department of Architecture and Urban Planning is recruiting 2 assistants, specifically for the Theory and History of Architecture and Urban Planning research group.
The areas of interest and expertise of the professors of this research group are as follows:
- eighteenth-century European architecture, architectural publishing and historiography, in relation to culture, science and politics; aspects of 20th-century architecture;
- materialist approach to architectural history and theory, focusing on environmental impacts of building materials production, history of building components reuse, building material ecologies and landscapes of the Anthropocene;
- colonial and postcolonial architectural and urban history in (Central) Africa;
- global architectural history;
- construction history with a strong focus on territories beyond Europe;
- research at the intersection of dynamics of urban change (urbanization) and practices that seek to transform these dynamics (urbanism); study of the role of urbanism and design politics in defining and answering urban questions, with an interpretative approach addressing both historical and contemporary urban questions; areas of interests are non-speculation in housing development and soil and land politics in food provision, areas of concern in the quest for non-extractive urbanisms;
- heritage architecture (museums and heritage sites, discourses, practices) since the 19th century and comprehensive architectural practices in contemporary architectural culture (policies, institutions, exhibitions, publications, criticism, etc.)
- practice of the architect in early modern Europe (1400-1700), including architectural training, workshop organisation, dependence on drawing and the production and use of models;
- theory of architectural design and practice, media and mediality, building types, institutionalisation processes, architectural policy and contemporary architectural culture;
- research at the intersection of architecture and post-war visual art.
YOUR TASKS
- At least 50% of your assignment will be spent on academic research in preparation of a doctoral dissertation in the field of the theory and history of architecture and/or urban planning. Your research takes place in the context of our research group (see above).
- You provide assistance in the theoretical teaching of the department in the field of the theory and history of architecture and/or urbanism within the engineering sciences: architecture program, as well as, if applicable, within the Master of Science in Urbanism and Spactial Planning (assistance in theory courses and research seminars, supervision of master’s theses). You also provide assistance in the design teaching of the Department of Architecture and Urban Planning. The teaching tasks are situated at both Bachelor and Master level.
- You will provide assistance in the internal and external services of the department.
WHAT THE DEPARTMENT IS LOOKING FOR
- You hold one of the following degrees:
- Master of Science in Engineering: Architecture
- Master of Science in Architecture
- Master of Science in Urbanism and Spatial Planning
- or an equivalent, relevant degree.
- The degree requirement needs to be fulfilled at the start of your appointment.
- For diplomas awarded outside the European Union, a certificate of equivalence (NARIC) must be submitted.
- You have a keen interest in scientific research in the field of architecture and/or urban planning and the relationship between architecture, design and urban development. Such research can focus both on the theory and history of the discipline and on more contemporary practice, or combine both perspectives.
- You have a distinct affinity for architectural design and/or urban design.
- You are proficient in Dutch, both spoken and written. In exceptional cases, the selection committee also accepts applications from candidates with at least a passive understanding of written and spoken Dutch. The latter commit to strive for complete mastery within a period of two years.
- You have good teaching and communication skills. You are also able to teach at Master level in English.
- You are ready to provide assistance or support work at the level of the department.
- Teaching experience and participation in continuing education is recommended.
- Participation in conferences, workshops, etc. and/or demonstrated experience in writing and publishing is recommended.
WHAT THE DEPARTMENT CAN OFFER YOU
- A two-year appointment, which may be renewed twice for two years, on condition that the previous term was given a positive evaluation. Attention: If you have been previously appointed as a junior assistant or doctoral fellow at a university within the Flemish Community, this appointment will be deducted from the maximum term of appointment, which is six years at the most according to the Codex of Higher Education.
- Your appointment will start on 1 February 2024 at the earliest.
- Your remuneration will be determined according to salary scale AAP3. More information about our salary scales.
- All Ghent University staff members enjoy a number of benefits, such as a wide range of training and education opportunities, 36 days of paid leave, bicycle commuting reimbursement, ecocheques, etc. A complete overview of all our fringe benefits.
INTERESTED?
Apply online through the e-recruitment system before the application deadline (see above). We do not accept late applications or applications that are not sent through the online system.
Your application must include the following documents:
- In the field ‘Cv’: your cv and an overview of your study results; please also attach a portfolio with relevant material (design projects, realized projects, eventual publications or conference papers, etc. (merged into one pdf file).
- In the field ‘Cover letter’: your motivation letter in pdf format, including a description of max. 300 words of a possible topic/theme on which you would like to conduct research, indicating how this can connect to one of the expertise domains of the research group (see above).
- In the field ‘Diploma’: a transcript of the required degree (if already in your possession).
- If you have a foreign diploma in a language other than our national languages (Dutch, French or German) or English, please add a translation in one of the mentioned languages.
- In the field ‘Certificate of equivalence’: only for diplomas awarded outside the European Union a certificate of equivalence (NARIC) must be submitted (if already in your possession, if not, you need to be able to provide proof that you have applied for a certificate of equivalence at the start of your appointment). The certificate can be requested via www.naricvlaanderen.be/en.
For diplomas awarded in the UK before January 31st of 2020, a certificate of equivalence is not required.
Note that the maximum file size for each field is 10 MB.
As Ghent University maintains an equal opportunities and diversity policy, everyone is encouraged to apply for this position.
MORE INFORMATION
For more information about this vacancy, please contact Prof. Lionel Devlieger (lionel.devlieger@ugent.be, +32 9 2643742).