TACK/Communities of Tacit Knowledge: Architecture and its Ways of Knowing’ is a newly funded Innovative Training Network, as part of the Marie Sklodowska-Curie Actions within the European Framework Programme Horizon 2020. Its aim is to train young researchers to understand the specific knowledge used by architects in the design of buildings and cities.

This network combines, for the first time, the expertise on tacit knowledge that has been developed at ten major academic institutions: ETH Zürich, Delft University of Technology, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Oslo School of Architecture and Design, Bergische Universität Wuppertal, Politecnico di Milano, Academy of Fine Arts Vienna, University of Antwerp, University College London and Leibniz Universität Hannover.

Together with three leading cultural architectural institutions as well as nine distinguished architecture design offices, these will train a group of scholars to explore the very character of tacit knowledge and to better understand its potential in addressing new and pressing issues in the built environment. ‘TACK/Communities of Tacit Knowledge’ comprises 10 parallel PhD projects. Applications for fully funded PhD positions, located at the participating academic institutions, are invited within this 3-year Innovative Training Network. Each PhD project will explore a particular aspect of tacit knowledge in architecture and will become part of the wider international training programme on ‘Communities of Tacit Knowledge’, which will provide the opportunity to intensively exchange with other PhD candidates and with international faculty.
In addition to the academic experience, secondments will be provided by non-academic partners. Architectural offices from Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, Italy, Norway, Austria and Sweden, will host a PhD candidate in their office for a five-month (part-time) architectural secondment. Three major European cultural institutes, active in the field of architecture, will also provide secondments, in which PhD candidates will become acquainted with methods of knowledge dissemination to a broader audience (curatorial tools), the impact of cultural heritage (archival tools) and of generating a public debate (rhetorical tools).

More information on the PhD terms of contract at the ten academic institutions, on specific themes that are addressed and on the secondments that will take place within this network, can be found on: https://tacit-knowledge-architecture.com/.    

We are looking for motivated young researchers with a background in architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, architectural and urban theory, or related disciplines. Candidates should have the following qualifications:

• a Master’s degree in architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, architectural theory, or related disciplines
• affinity with research in architecture, as demonstrated by research papers, journal articles or other research output or contributions to architectural culture
• willingness to work at the interface of academia and design-led research
• experience in architectural design practice is desirable
• willingness to work and move in an international academic network
• excellent English oral and writing skills

Interviews will be held between 2 and 13 December 2019. The PhD projects will commence on March 1, 2020. Candidates are expected to be available to commence work on this date. After the selection procedure, PhD candidates will be located at one of the academic partner institutions for the entire duration of the PhD. They will be employed according to the conditions of that academic partner institution. For additional information see: https://tacit-knowledge-architecture.com/phd-conditions-at-academic-partners-institutions/ According to EU regulations, researchers must not have resided, worked or studied in the country of the academic partner institutions for more than 12 months in the last 3 years.   

Fixed-term contract: 4 years.

The TU Delft offers a customisable compensation package, a discount for health insurance and sport memberships, and a monthly work costs contribution. Flexible work schedules can be arranged.

Coming to Delft Service organizes diverse events for new international employees and their accompanying partners, like Partner Career Workshops and Dutch Culture Workshops. Located on campus are the International Children’s Centre and an international primary school which are subject to availability as well as several bilingual schools in the nearby surrounding.

Salary and benefits are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities.

As a PhD candidate you will be enrolled in the TU Delft Graduate School. TU Delft Graduate School provides an inspiring research environment; an excellent team of supervisors, academic staff and a mentor; and a Doctoral Education Programme aimed at developing your transferable, disciplinerelated and research skills. Please visit www.tudelft.nl/phd for more information.     

Technische Universiteit Delft

Delft University of Technology (TU Delft) is a multifaceted institution offering education and carrying out research in the technical sciences at an internationally recognised level. Education, research and design are strongly oriented towards applicability. TU Delft develops technologies for future generations, focusing on sustainability, safety and economic vitality. At TU Delft you will work in an environment where technical sciences and society converge. TU Delft comprises eight faculties, unique laboratories, research institutes and schools.

Faculty Architecture & the Built Environment

Since its foundation 110 years ago, the Faculty of Architecture and the Built Environment has built up a solid international reputation for training architects, urban planners and designers, as well as for its research portfolio and coaching of PhD candidates. With around 2600 students and 500 staff members, with around 230 FTEs devoted to academic positions, our faculty is one of the largest of Delft University of Technology and one of the most prestigious architecture and the built environment faculties globally. Traditionally, the faculty has prioritised high-quality training in design and research in the field of the built environment. Over 40 chairs cover a wide range of academic areas in design, process and technology, which together cover the entire field of the built environment. The faculty has a budget of around €38 million, of which approximately €7 million is sourced indirectly and from contracts with third parties. 
The department of Architecture provides education and conducts research at an internationally competitive level of excellence in the fields of architecture and architectural design. Education and research are closely interconnected by the perspective of social relevance.
The Chair of Methods & Analysis holds that architecture, more than a response to programme or problem solving, is about the development of distinct approaches, instruments and methods for the production, use and understanding of the built environment. The chair wants to challenge preconceptions regarding the role of the architect and inspire the advancement of inventive approaches to architecture, while enabling disciplined yet critical action towards buildings and cities. Taking the role of the architect as one that is dynamic, socially engaged and locally specific, the chair is seeking for informed, cultured and engaged methods of thinking and practicing architecture.